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The 55th Fighter Squadron's roots trace back to 9 August 1917. Originally organized as the 55th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, by November the 55th Aero Squadron (Construction) was deployed to Third Aviation Instruction Center on Issoudun Aerodrome, France,[5] then to the American Aerial Gunnery School in St. Jean de Monts on 16 May 1918. The squadron was demobilized on 6 March 1919, following World War I. The squadron was reactivated in November 1930, at Mather Field, California, flying Boeing P-12 aircraft, later joined by DH-4 aircraft in 1931. The squadron moved several times in the next decade, flying the P-26, Curtiss P-36 Hawk, and finally the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at Hamilton Field.[5][6]
World War II
At the beginning of World War II, the 55th sent its personnel to units fighting overseas and continued to train aviators for squadrons in Europe and the Pacific. In May 1942, it was redesignated a fighter squadron and switched to the Bell P-39 Airacobra, operating from several locations in the United States before acquiring Lockheed P-38 Lightnings.[5][6]
As the war progressed, the 55th performed escort and fighter-bomber missions supporting the Allied advance through Central Europe and the Rhineland. In December 1944, the unit escorted bombers to their targets in the Battle of the Bulge. The squadron's 175th and last combat mission with the P-51 was flown in April 1945, the day after American and Soviet forces met at the Elbe River. The 55th was demobilized on 18 October 1945, after the war's end.
The 55th was reactivated on 29 July 1946, at Biggs Field, Texas, flying airpower demonstrations and training operations in the P-51.[6] It entered the jet age in February 1948, switching to the Republic F-84G Thunderjet. In January 1950, it was redesignated the 55th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. The squadron returned to England at RAF Wethersfield in June 1952. The squadron switched to the North American F-100 Super Sabre in 1957 and in 1958 was redesignated the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron.[6]
In January 1991, elements of the 55th deployed to Turkey during Operation Desert Storm. They flew more than 144 sorties, amassing 415 combat hours without a loss. These missions neutralized key facilities throughout northern Iraq and helped to liberate Kuwait and stabilize the region.[6] The squadron was inactivated in December 1993.[5]
In July 1997, the 55th stood up as a combat-ready General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon squadron in only 60 days. It has since made numerous deployments to Southwest Asia, operating against threats in Iraq.
In the summer of 2000, the 55th deployed to Southwest Asia for Operation Northern Watch. It followed that deployment with Operation Southern Watch in the fall of 2001, and in the winter of 2002, deployed again in support of Operation Northern Watch. In late 2008, the 55th deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.[6]
Lineage
Organized as the 55th Aero Squadron on 9 August 1917[4]
Redesignated 55th Aero Squadron (Construction) on 25 August 1917[7][4]
Redesignated 467th Aero Squadron (Construction) on 1 February 1918[4]
Demobilized on 16 March 1919
Reconstituted and redesignated 55th Pursuit Squadron on 24 March 1923
Activated on 15 November 1930
Redesignated 55th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) on 6 December 1939
Redesignated 55th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 12 March 1941
Redesignated 55th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Redesignated 55th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 30 December 1942
Redesignated 55th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 20 August 1943
Redesignated 55th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 5 September 1944
Inactivated on 18 October 1945
Activated on 29 July 1946
Redesignated 55th Fighter Squadron, Jet on 15 June 1948
Redesignated 55th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 20 January 1950
Redesignated 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 8 July 1958
Redesignated 55th Fighter Squadron on 1 October 1991
^Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D serial 91-375, taken in December 2006.
^The 55th Fighter-Bomber Squadron began use of this emblem in 1952, but the 1932 emblem remained the official emblem of the squadron until 1991, when this emblem was formally approved for the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Endicott, p. 597
^Aircraft is Republic F-84F-45-RE Thunderstreak, serial 52-6703.
^Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Block 50D serial 98-3, taken in 2009.
^Robertson calls this the "39th Tactical Fighter Group", but the organization never had this designation. Stephens, Maj Tonia (8 June 2017). "Factsheet 39 Air Base Wing (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 26 December 2017..
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