309th Airlift Squadron

309th Airlift Squadron

Active 1943-1945; 1949-1953; 1954-1956; 1963-1970; 2002-present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Airlift
Part of United States Air Forces in Europe
Garrison/HQ Chièvres Air Base
Motto(s) Modus Perfectus Latin The Perfect Way
Engagements Operation Overlord
Operation Market Garden
Operation Plunder
Vietnam War
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
309th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 14 March 1966)[1]

The 309th Airlift Squadron is part of the 86th Airlift Wing at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. It operates C-37 aircraft providing executive airlfit for NATO.

History

Established in early 1942 as a C-47 Skytrain transport squadron under First Air Force, later trained under I Troop Carrier Command in the eastern United States. Deployed to England in December 1942, being assigned to VIII Air Support Command, Eighth Air Force to provide transport and resupply support to the buildup of the heavy bomber force in England.

Was detached to Twelfth Air Force in Algeria in May 1943 to provide air resupply and transport during the North African Campaign in Algeria and Tunisia. Also performed combat casualty evacuation of wounded personnel to rear areas. Remained under jurisdiction of VIII ASC while in North Africa, providing transport between England and North Africa from its base in Algeria. Returned to England in early 1944 to participate in the buildup of forces prior to the Allied landings in France during D-Day in June 1944.

Engaged in combat operations by dropping paratroops into Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944) and releasing gliders with reinforcements on the following day. The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French citation for these missions.

After the Normandy invasion the squadron ferried supplies in the United Kingdom. The squadron also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals. It dropped paratroops near Nijmegen and towed gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne attack on the Netherlands. In December, it participated in the Battle of the Bulge by releasing gliders with supplies for the 101st Airborne Division near Bastogne.

Moved to Belgium in early 1945, and participated in the Western Allied invasion of Germany, participating in the air assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, each aircraft towed two gliders with troops of the 17th Airborne Division and released them near Wesel.

In late May 1945, after V-E Day, the squadron was moved to Waller Field, Trinidad and attached to Air Transport Command. From Trinidad, the squadron ferried returning military personnel to Morrison Field, Florida, where they were sent on to other bases or prepared for separation after the war. Inactivated at the end of July 1945.

Reactivated in 1949 as a reserve troop carrier squadron as part of Tactical Air Command. Equipped with C-46 Commandoes. activated during the Korean War and became a training unit for crews flying C-119 Flying Boxcarassault transports in South Korea. Inactivated in 1953 after federalized activation period ended. Reactivated a year later operating variety of rotary wing helicopters. Provided helicopter support for atomic weapons tests on Bikini in the Eniwetok Atoll, February–June 1956. Inactivated and replaced by the 21st Helicopter Squadron, which took over its personnel and Piasecki H-21 Workhorse helicopters.[1][2]

Reactivated again in 1963 at Pope AFB as a C-123 Provider combat resupply squadron, used in remote combat airfield resupply and casualty evacuation of ground forces. Deployed to South Vietnam after training and operated under 2d Air Division, Pacific Air Forces to support advisory units, primarily in Mule Train combat cargo missions in South Vietnam to support special forces (Air Commandos) in the early stages of US Involvement in the Vietnam War. Re-designated an Air Commando squadron in 1965 under Seventh Air Force, engaged in special operations and tactical airlift during 1965-1970 based at Phan Rang AB flying intratheater combat cargo and troop carrier missions. Inactivated as part of the Vietnamization withdrawal process in 1970.

Reactivated in 2002 as a support transport squadron providing executive airlift support for Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and Commander United States Air Forces in Europe (COMUSAFE).

Operations and Decorations

Lineage

Activated on 1 Oct 1943
Inactivated on 31 Jul 1945
Activated in the Reserve on 27 Jun 1949
Ordered to active service on 1 May 1951
Inactivated on 1 Feb 1953
Activated on 8 Oct 1954
Inactivated on 9 Jul 1956
Organized on 1 Apr 1963
Re-designated as: 309th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier on 8 Mar 1965
Re-designated as: 309th Air Commando Squadron, Tactical Airlift on 1 Aug 1967
Re-designated as: 309th Special Operations Squadron on 1 Aug 1968
Re-designated as: 309th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 Jan 1970
Inactivated on 31 Jul 1970
Activated on 12 Mar 2002.

Assignments

Attached to 63d Troop Carrier Wing, 8 Oct 1954-9 Jul 1956
Attached to 464th Troop Carrier Wing, 1 Apr 1963

Stations

Aircraft

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  1. 1 2 Robertson, Patsy (April 1, 2014). "Factsheet 309 Airlift Squadron (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Factsheet 21 Special Operations Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. January 7, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
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