command and control, and airlift missions supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, PROVIDE COMFORT, VIGILANT WARRIOR (Southwest Asia), PROVIDE PROMISE, DENY FLIGHT (Bosnia-Herzegovina), SUPPORT DEMOCRACY, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY (Haiti), and TIGER RESCUE (Yemen). Additionally, its squadrons have been called upon to support Distinguished Visitor airlift for the National Command Authorities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and numerous exercises. Beginning in January 2011, the unit has hosted training for flight and maintenance crews from No. 51 Squadron RAF in preparation for the delivery of the squadron's RC-135W Airseeker fleet. On 7 October 2016, the E-4Bs under the 55th Wing moved to the USAF 8th Air Force. Lineage Established as 55th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 November 1940 Activated on 15 January 1941 Redesignated: 55th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on 31 January 1942 Redesignated: 55th Fighter Group (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942 Redesignated: 55th Fighter Group, Twin Engine, on 1 March 1944 Redesignated: 55th Fighter Group, c. 19 July 1944 Inactivated on 20 August 1946, aircraft, personnel and equipment being redesignated as 31st Fighter Group. Redesignated 55th Reconnaissance Group (Very Long Range) (Mapping) on 5 February 1947 Activated on 24 February 1947 Redesignated 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Group on 29 June 1948 Inactivated on 14 October 1949 Redesignated 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Group, Medium, on 27 October 1950 Activated on 1 November 1950 Inactivated on 16 June 1952 Redesignated 55th Operations Group on 29 August 1991 Activated on 1 September 1991. Assignments Northwest Air District (later, 2 Air Force), 15 January 1941 II Interceptor Command, 2 October 1941 4 Air Force, 5 January 1942 4 Interceptor (later, IV Interceptor; IV Fighter) Command, 26 January 1942 Attached to Seattle Air Defense Wing, 28 October 1942 – 11 April 1943 Seattle Air Defense Wing, 12 April 1943 Eighth Air Force, c. 14 September 1943 VIII Fighter Command, 15 September 1943 66th Fighter Wing, 5 October 1943 Attached to: 3d Bombardment (later Air) Division, 15 September 1944 – 20 July 1945 XXIX Tactical Air Command, 20 July 1945 70th Fighter Wing, 6 August 1945 – 20 August 1946 311th Reconnaissance Wing (later, 311 Air Division, Reconnaissance), 24 February 1947 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 19 July 1948 – 14 October 1949 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 1 November 1950 – 16 June 1952 55th Wing, 1 September 1991 – present Components 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron: 1 September 1991 – 1 October 2016 2d Airborne Command and Control Squadron: