Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 3.5 inch
496th AIR BASE SQUADRON (USAFE)
Lineage. Constituted as 496 Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron on 19 Jan 1943. Activated on 22 Jan 1943. Disbanded on 1 Apr 1944. Reconstituted, and redesignated as 496 Air Base Squadron, on 27 May 1994. Activated on 1 Jul 1994-.
Assignments. Air Service Command, 22 Jan 1943-1 Apr 1944. 616 Regional Support Group, 1 Jul 1994; 31 Support (later, 31 Mission Support) Group, 19 Jul 1996; 712 Air Base Group, 22 Mar 2004; 86 Operations Group, 18 Apr 2007- (attached to: 406 Air Expeditionary Wing, 30 Mar-1 Apr 2011; 313 Air Expeditionary Wing, 2-19 Apr 2011).
Stations. Olmstead Field, PA, 22 Jan 1943-1 Apr 1944. Moron AB, Spain, 1 Jul 1994-.
Operations. The Squadron is a direct liaison between the 86th Airlift Wing and Spanish 11th Fighter Wing (Ala 11, Ejercito del Aire). The 496 ABS is responsible for all US reception and power projection operations with direct authorization & coordination from SpAF Base leadership. Continually postured to receive forces in support of UN, NATO, and US contingency and exercise operations.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 19 Jul 1994-19 Jul 1996; [20 Jul] 1996-1 Apr 1998; 24 Mar-10 Jun 1999; 1 Oct 2000-1 Oct 2002; 2 Oct 2002-22 Mar 2004; 25 May 2004-31 Oct 2005; 1 Nov 2005-30 May 2007; [1 Jun]-31 Dec 2007; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2008; 1 Jul 2009-31 Dec 2010; 1 Jan 2014-31 Dec 2015.
Emblem. Approved on 17 Oct 1994; latest rendering, 15 Feb 2019.