The squadron traces its history to the constitution of the 1st Airways and Air Communications Service Squadron, Mobile, on 28 January 1952, and its subsequent activation on 1 March 1952 at Johnson Air Base, Japan, as part of the 1808th Airways and Air Communications Service Wing, Airways and Air Communications Service, USAF.

[2] After a number of changes, the then-1st Mobile Communications Group arrived at Lindsey ASN, West Germany, in January 1976, thereafter being assigned to the European Communications Area.

Today the squadron's mission is to provide rapidly-deployable communications and air traffic control services throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

In many cases, the unit's mission requires its members to be some of the first US forces to arrive at an operating location.

The squadron was the Air Force's Major General Harold M. McClelland Large Unit of the Year Award winner for 2017.