56th Security Police Squadron (AETC)
LINEAGE.
- Designated Squadron "B", 56th Airdrome Group on 28 Jul 1947.
- Activated on 15 Aug 1947.
- Discontinued on 1 Aug 1948.
- Consolidated (12 Oct 1984) with the 56th Air Police Squadron, Fighter, Jet, which was constituted on 14 Jun 1948.
- Activated on 1 Aug 1948.
- Redesignated 56th Air Police Squadron on 20 Jan 1950.
- Inactivated on 6 Feb 1952.
- Activated on 15 Feb 1963.
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Jan 1964.
- Redesignated 56th Security Police Squadron, and activated, on 16 Mar 1967.
- Organized on 8 Apr 1967.
- Inactivated on 4 Jan 1994.
- Activated on 1 Apr 1994.
HONORS.
SERVICE STREAMERS. None.
The Vietnam Service Streamer, a unit award analogous to the award of the medal and ribbon for the individual. is identical to the ribbon in design and color. A United States Air Force (USAF) unit qualified for the Vietnam Service Streamer if it was based in South Vietnam at any time between 1 July 1958 and 14 November, or 29 January through 28 March 1973.* A unit based during these same periods in Thailand and flying missions into or over Vietnam also received the Vietnam Service Streamer. Nonpaying combat support units based in Thailand at any time between 1 July 1958 and 28 March 1973 are also entitled to the service streamer.
* Units earned the appropriate campaign streamers between 15 November 1961
and 28 January 1973.
CAMPAIGN STREAMERS.
A Campaign Streamer is a Vietnam Service Streamer with the name and dates of the campaign embroidered on it. With one exception, the Vietnam Air-Ground Campaign, a unit qualified for a campaign streamer if it was based in Vietnam or engaged in combat in Southeast Asia during the period of a designated campaign.
VIETNAM:
- Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II, 9 March 1967-31 March 1968.
- Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III, 1 April-October 1968.
- Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV, 1 November 1968-22 February 1969.
- TET 69/Counteroffensive, 23 February-8 June 1969.
- Vietnam Summer-Fall, 9 June-31 October 1969.
- Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1 November 1969-30 April 1970.
- Sanctuary Couteroffensive, 1 May-30 June 1970.
- Southwest Monsoon, 1 July-30 November 1970.
- Commando Hunt V, 1 December 1970-14 May 1971.
- Commando Hunt VI, 15 May-31 October 1971.
- Commando Hunt VII, 1 November 1971-29 March 1972.
- Vietnam Ceasefire, 30 March 1972-28 January 1973.
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMERS. None.
DECORATIONS
Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia):
By direction of the President, the 56th Security Police Sq, is awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary gallantry in connection with military operations from 1 October 1969 to 30 April 1970.
- 1 Nov 1968-1 May 1969;
- 1 Oct 1969-30 Apr 1970;
- 1 Apr 1972-22 Feb 1973.
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device:
The 56th Security Police Squadron is awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Combat "V" Device) for exceptionally meritorious service in support of military operations from 1 June 1970 to 31 May 1971.
- 1 Jun 1970-31 May 1971;
- 1 Dec 1971-29 Feb 1972;
- 23 Feb 1973-28 Feb 1974,
- 24 Jan-2 may 1975.
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:
- 1 Jan 1977-1 Jan 1979;
- 1 Jul 1980-30 Jun 1982;
- 1 Jun 1984-31 May 1986;
- 1 May 1987-30 Apr 1989-30;
- 1 Jul 1994-30 Jun 1996.
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm:
STATIONS.
- Selfridge Field (later, AFB), MI, 15 Aug 1947-6 Feb 1952.
- K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI, 1 Apr 1963-1 Jan 1964.
- Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, 8 Apr 1967-30 Jun 1975;
- MacDill AFB, FL, 30 Jun 1975-4 Jan 1994.
- Luke AFB, AZ, 1 Apr 1994--.
EMBLEM. 
56th Security Police Sq
UNIT EMBLEM: 56th Security Police Squadron
1. The Lightning Bolt was taken from the insignia of the 56th Combat Support Group, which the 56th Security Police Squadron is a part of.
2. The rattlesnake has 50 Diamons and six rattles, and represents the 56th Security Police Squadron. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is very prevalent in the area that the 56th Security Police Squadron is stationed in. The Eastern Diamondback is an appropriate symbol, because it will stand its ground, and will strike when threatened.
3. The motto, "Ready to Strike," means that the 56th Security Police Squadron is ready for action, and can be immediately mobilized and deployed anywhere in the world.
MOTTO: READY TO STRIKE.
DESCRIPTION:
On a blue disc edged with a narrow yellow border, a tan rattlesnake, coiled, with black markings and details, eye yellow, emitting from its open mouth a horizontal yellow lightning bolt.
Attached above the disc a blank blue scroll edged yellow. Attached below the disc a blue scroll edged yellow and inscribed "READY TO STRIKE" in yellow letters.
CABLE NUMBERS OF COLORS:
|
|
| Ultramarine blue, AF
| 65010 (AF Ultramarine)
|
|
| Tan (Gold brown)
| 70118
|
|
| Air Force Yellow
| 70068
|
|
| Black
| 65018
|
|
DATE PREPARED. 6 Dec 1996
SUPERSEDES statement prepared 18 Dec 1986.
PREPARED BY William J. Allen
|
