Lineage

Organized as 54 Aero Squadron on 8 Aug 1917. Redesignated 466 Aero Squadron on 1 Feb 1918. Demobilized on 10 Feb 1919. Reconstituted, and consolidated (1936), with 54 School Squadron, which was constituted on 6 Feb 1923. Activated on 31 Jul 1927. Inactivated on 30 Apr 1931. Activated on 15 Jul 1931. Redesignated 54 Bombardment Squadron on 1 Mar 1935. Inactivated on 1 Sep 1936. Activated on 1 Oct 1939. Redesignated 54 Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 6 Dec 1939. Disbanded on 1 May 1942. Reconstituted, consolidated (1985) with the 54 Ferrying Squadron (constituted on 30 Aug 1942; activated on 16 Sep 1942; redesignated 54 Transport Squadron on 19 Mar 1943; disbanded on 7 Nov 1943; reconstituted on 19 Sep 1985) and the 554 Reconnaissance Squadron (constituted and activated on 9 Feb 1967; organized on 25 Feb 1967; inactivated on 30 Sep 1972). Redesignated 554 Tactical Intelligence Squadron on 19 Sep 1985. Redesignated 54 Airlift Flight, and activated, on 1 Apr 1993.

Assignments

Unkn, 8 Aug-Nov 1917; Third Aviation Instruction Center, Nov 1917; Air Service Production Center No. 2, Mar-Dec 1918; unkn, Dec 1918-10 Feb 1919. 13 School Group, 31 Jul 1927-30 Apr 1931. Air Corps Tactical School, 15 Jul 1931; 2 Bombardment Group (attached to Air Corps Tactical School), 1 Mar 1935-1 Sep 1936. 23 Composite Group (later, Air Corps Proving Ground Detachment; Air Forces Proving Ground Group), 1 Oct 1939-1 May 1942. 15 Ferrying (later, 15 Transport) Group, 16 Sep 1942-7 Nov 1943. Air Defense Command, 9 Feb 1967; 553 Reconnaissance Wing, 25 Feb 1967; 56 Special Operations Wing, 15 Dec 1970-30 Sep 1972. 502 Logistics and Operations Group, 1 Apr 1993; 502 Operations Squadron, 17 Jun 1994; 42 Operations Squadron, 1 Oct 1994-.

Stations

Kelly Field, TX, 8 Aug 1917; Hazelhurst Field, NY, 21 Sep-13 Oct 1917; Issoudun, France, 4 Nov 1917; Romorantin, France, 19 Mar 1918; Brest, France, 28 Dec 1918-c. 12 Jan 1919; Garden City, NY, c. 31 Jan-10 Feb 1919. March Field, CA, 31 Jul 1927-30 Apr 1931. Maxwell Field, AL, 15 Jul 1931-1 Sep 1936. Maxwell Field, AL, 1 Oct 1939; Orlando, FL, 2 Sep 1940; Eglin Field, FL, 29 Jun 1941-1 May 1942. Homestead AAB, FL, 16 Sep 1942-7 Nov 1943. Otis AFB, MA, 25 Feb-31 Oct 1967; Korat RTAFB, Thailand, 31 Oct 1967; Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, 15 Dec 1970-30 Sep 1972. Maxwell AFB, AL, 1 Apr 1993-.

Commanders


Aircraft

In addition to BT-2, apparently included DH-4 and PT-3 during period 1927-1931. Apparently included A-3 and O-25 during period 1931-1935; included B-4 during period 1935-1936. In addition to B-18, 1940, B-23, 1940-1942, and B-26, 1941-1942, included A-12, B-12, B-17, B-25, O-38, OA-9, PB-2, PT-14, and PT-17, during period 1939-1942. EC-121, 1967-1970; QU-22, 1970-1972. C-21, 1993-.

Operations

Constructed facilities, 1917-1918. Tested equipment, 1940-1942. Ferried aircraft between Florida and British West Indies, 1942-1943. Reconnaissance in Southeast Asia, 1967-1972. Provided airlift services for Air University personnel, 1993-.

Service Streamers

World War I Theater of Operations; World War II American Theater.

Campaign Streamers

Vietnam: Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969; Vietnam Winter/Spring 1969-1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

None.

Decorations

Presidential Unit Citation: Southeast Asia, 1 Apr-30 Sep 1972. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 1 Apr 1967-31 May 1968; 1 Jul 1968-15 Apr 1969; 15 Dec 1970-30 Nov 1971; 1 Dec 1971-29 Feb 1972. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 29 Nov 1967-30 Sep 1972.

Emblem

Approved on 30 Nov 1993.

Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 31 January 1997

Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Apr 1993