55th Fighter Squadron

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55th Fighter Squadron
Squadron F-16C Fighting Falcon landing at Shaw AFB[note 1]
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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