However, it was activated the same day at Donaldson Air Force Base, South Carolina, where it was equipped with de Havilland Canada L-20 Beavers. It was expanded to become the 4th Liaison Squadron on 15 July 1952, but was inactivated a week later. The second predecessor of the squadron was activated at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina in October 1949 as the 4th Liaison Flight and initially equipped with Stinson L-13 light aircraft. The squadron was disbanded in March 1944, and, along with the other elements of the 2d Ferrying Group and support units at New Castle, replaced by the 552d AAF Base Unit (2d Ferrying Group). Accordingly, it adopted a more functional system in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit. However, the Army Air Forces found that standard military units, based on relatively inflexible tables of organization not well adapted to training and support missions. It also airlifted cargo and evacuated wounded to US military hospitals. Shortly thereafter, operating from New Castle Army Air Base, Delaware, the 4th ferried aircraft to locations in Alaska, Africa, and Europe under the 2d Ferrying Group. The first predecessor of the squadron was organized in April 1942 at Logan Field, Maryland. It directly supports unified and theater special operations commands by conducting close air support, armed aerial reconnaissance, and interdiction missions worldwide in support of Secretary of Defense taskings. The squadron plans, prepares and executes AC-130J gunship missions, providing precise delivery of munitions supporting joint conventional and special operations forces. It operates Lockheed AC-130J aircraft providing special operations capabilities.

The 4th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Spec ops airborne commando