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15th Airlift Squadron

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15th Airlift Squadron
A 437th Airlift Wing C-17A Globemaster III deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
Active1940–1945; 1946–1993; 1993–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAirlift
Part ofAir Mobility Command
Garrison/HQCharleston Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Global Eagles
EngagementsMediterranean Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
Korean War[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Insignia
15th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 14 June 1977)[1]
15th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem (approved 16 July 1952)[2]

The 15th Airlift Squadron is part of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission worldwide.

History

World War II

Activated in December 1940 flying converted Douglas DC-2 transport aircraft as a GHQ Air Force transport squadron. Converted to Douglas C-47 Skytrains in early 1942, trained under I Troop Carrier Command for combat operations. Assigned to Twelfth Air Force and deployed North Africa during May 1943. The squadron's aircraft flew supplies to front-line units in Algeria and Tunisia during the North African Campaign as soon as suitable landing strips were available and evacuated casualties back to rear area field hospitals.

Squadron engaged in combat operations, dropping airborne units into Sicily during the Operation Husky invasion and later into areas around Anzio, Italy as part of Operation Shingle, the invasion of mainland Italy and the initiation of the Italian Campaign, January 1944. Moved north though Italy, in 1943 in support of Allied ground forces, evacuated wounded personnel and flew missions behind enemy lines in Italy and the Balkans to haul guns, ammunition, food, clothing, medical supplies, and other materials to the partisans and to drop propaganda leaflets.

Moved to England in February 1944, assigned to IX Troop Carrier Command. Prepared for the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. In June 1944, subordinate units dropped paratroops in Normandy, subsequently flying numerous missions to bring in reinforcements and needed supplies. During the airborne attack on the Netherlands (Operation Market Garden, September 1944), the squadron dropped paratroops, towed gliders, and flew resupply missions. Several of its subordinate units also participated in the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The 50th supported the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge by towing gliders full of supplies near Bastogne on 27 December 1944.

When the Allies made 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. The squadron also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals.

In late May 1945, after V-E Day, the squadron 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.

Global airlift

During the Cold War the 15th was involved in the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949; aerial transport from the U.S. to Japan, August–December 1950; and between Japan and Korea, 13 December 1950 – November 1952. It has carried out worldwide airlift since 1953, including to Southeast Asia from 1966 to 1973 and supporting military operations in Grenada, October–November 1983; Panama, 18 December 1989 – 8 January 1990 and to Southwest Asia, August 1990 – January 1991.

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 15th Transport Squadron on 20 November 1940
Activated on 4 December 1940
Redesignated 15th Troop Carrier Squadron on 4 July 1942
Inactivated on 31 July 1945
  • Activated on 30 September 1946
Redesignated 15th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 1 July 1948
Redesignated 15th Troop Carrier Squadron, Heavy on 15 August 1948
Redesignated 15th Military Airlift Squadron on 8 January 1966
Redesignated 15th Airlift Squadron on 1 January 1992
Inactivated on 26 July 1993
  • Activated on 1 October 1993[1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

Awards and campaigns

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Factsheet 15 Airlift Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 87-88
  3. ^ Station number in Anderson.
  4. ^ Station number in Johnson.
  5. ^ Station information in AFHRA Factsheet, 15 Airlift Squadron, except as noted.

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

External links

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