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551st Special Operations Squadron
 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Squadron MH-53J Pave Low IIIE during training mission | |
| Active | 1971–2007; 2009–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Special Operations Training |
| Size | 92 active duty personnel and 66 civilian contractors |
| Part of | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Cannon Air Force Base |
| Motto(s) | The Best Teach the Rest |
| Mascot(s) | Owl |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 551st Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 9 October 1992)[1] |  |
| 1551st Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 9 October 1986)[1] |  |
The 551st Special Operations Squadron is a current Special Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force, assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center until 2017 and then assigned to the 492nd Special Operations Wing. It was based out of Cannon AFB, New Mexico. The 551st had previously been based at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico as an Air Education and Training Command (AETC) unit within the 58th Special Operations Wing from 15 March 1976 until its inactivation on 10 May 2007.[2]
The squadron was reactivated in 2009 and assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) to train aircrews on the MC-130 and AC-130. It was inactivated again on 15 Jun 2021.[3][4]
- ^ a b c "Factsheet 551 Special Operations Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "551st Special Operations Squadron [551st SOS]". GlobalSecurity.org. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "551st Special Operations Squadron Flies One Last Time".
- ^ "551st Flies One Last Time".