This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (December 2017) |
55th Fighter Squadron | |
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Active | 1917–1919; 1930–1945; 1946–1993; 1994–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Fighter |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Garrison/HQ | Shaw Air Force Base |
Nickname(s) | Shooters,[citation needed] Fighting Fifty-Fifth[1] |
Motto(s) | "Roll 'em!", "Shooters Roll!"[citation needed] |
Colors | Blue, White[citation needed] |
Mascot(s) | Wild Weasel[citation needed] |
Engagements | Operation Overlord Battle of the Bulge Desert Storm[2] |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Gabby Gabreski |
Insignia | |
55th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 28 October 1999)[2] | |
55th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem (approved Jul 1991)[3][note 2] | |
55th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 4 May 1932)[4] | |
55th Pursuit Squadron emblem 1930-1932 |
The 55th Fighter Squadron is part of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions.
The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 9 August 1917, being organized at Kelly Field, Texas. It deployed overseas to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, as an aero construction squadron at the Third Aviation Instructional Center, Issoudun Aerodrome. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe during the Cold War.
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