24th Helicopter Squadron

The 24th Helicopter Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. It is a regular air force associate of the reserve 703d Helicopter Squadron, conducting training on the Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf.

The squadron's first predecessor was organized in 1939 as the 24th Bombardment Squadron. It served as a test organization for light bomber and attack aircraft until it was disbanded in 1942.

Its second predecessor was activated later in 1942 as the 24th Photographic Mapping Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to India, operating mapping detachments in India and China. At the end of World War II, it moved to the Philippines, where it was inactivated in 1946. Redesignated the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron, it was activated in the reserve in 1947, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped with combat aircraft before inactivating in 1949. It was reactivated in 1951 under Strategic Air Command as the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron. Its mission changed to bombardment the following year, but with two active units both named the 24th Bombardment Squadron, it was inactivated six months later.

The third predecessor of the squadron is the 24th Helicopter Squadron, activated as a light transport unit. It trained in the United States before moving to Japan, where it served until inactivating in 1960. In 1969, it was redesignated the 24th Special Operations Squadron and activated in the Panama Canal Zone. It was redesignated the 24th Composite Squadron in 1971. In 1985, it was consolidated with the other two predecessor units. The squadron participated in Operation Just Cause before inactivating in 1991 as the Air Force reduced its presence in Panama.

From 1987 to 1991 and again from 2018 to 2022 it was active as the 24th Tactical Air Support Squadron.