Lineage

Constituted 54th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated: 54th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on 31 Jan 1942; 54th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942; 54th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine, on 20 Aug 1943. Inactivated on 21 Mar 1946. Redesignated 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 10 Oct 1952. Activated on 1 Dec 1952. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Dec 1960. Redesignated 54th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 13 Jan 1987. Activated on 8 May 1987. Redesignated 54th Fighter Squadron on 26 Sep 1991.

Assignments

55th Pursuit (later, 55th Fighter) Group, 15 Jan 1941 (attached to XI Fighter Command, 31 May?11 Sep 1941); 343d Fighter Group, 11 Sep 1942?21 Mar 1946. 31st Air Division, 1 Dec 1952; 29th Air Division, 16 Feb 1953?25 Dec 1960. 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 May 1987; 21st Operations Group, 26 Sep 1991; 3d Operations Group, 19 Dec 1991?.

Stations

Hamilton Field, CA, 15 Jan 1941; Portland AB, OR, 22 May 1941; Paine Field, WA, 22 Jan?25 May 1942; Elmendorf Field, AK, 31 May?c. 24 Aug 1942 (detachments at Ft Randall, AK, c. 6 Jun?c. 31 Jul 1942, and at Ft Glenn, AK, c. 6 Jun?c. 19 Sep 1942); Adak, c. 31 Aug 1942; Amchitka, 12 Mar 1943; Shemya, c. 18 Oct 1943; Attu, c. 20 Nov 1943?8 Mar 1946; Ft Lawton, WA, 20?21 Mar 1946. Rapid City (later, Ellsworth) AFB, SD, 1 Dec 1952?25 Dec 1960. Elmendorf AFB, AK, 8 May 1987?.

Aircraft

P?36, 1941?1942; P?40, 1941?1942; P?43, 1941?1942; F?5, 1943; P?38, 1942?1946. F?51, 1952?1953; F?84, 1953?1954; F?86, 1954?1957; F?89, 1957?1960. F?15, 1987?.

Operations

Defense of Alaska during World War II. Air defense of North Central US, 1952?1960. Air defense of Alaska, 1987?.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Aleutian Islands; Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: [8 May] 1987?31 Dec 1988.

Emblem

On a Black disc, a Yellow leopard head affronte detailed Black and White with Scarlet eyes, nose, and tongue, above and between its front paws Yellow detailed Black with Scarlet claws; all within a narrow White inner border within a narrow Blue outer border. MOTTO: ALASKA?S FIRST GUARDIANS. Approved on 4 Apr 1989, replacing emblems approved on 3 Jun 1988, 4 Jun 1987, and 2 Sep 1943 (46293 A.C.).