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96th Airlift Squadron

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96th Airlift Squadron
Profile of a squadron C-130H Hercules
Active1943–1945; 1947–1951
1952–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeAirlift
Part ofAir Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQMinneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station
Nickname(s)Flying Vikings
EngagementsOperation Overlord
Operation Dragoon
Operation Market Garden
Battle of Bastogne[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Derek J. Poellet
Insignia
96th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 18 June 1997)[1][note 1]
C-130H showing the squadrons Flying Vikings banner

The 96th Airlift Squadron is part of the 934th Airlift Wing at Minneapolis-St Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota. It operates Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission worldwide. The unit has supported the conflicts of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War and has helped prove the concept of a reliable and ready airlift reserve fleet of the United States Air Force.

Mission

Fly Lockheed C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft, both airdropping and air landing cargo and people.

History

World War II

The squadron was activated in July 1943 as an I Troop Carrier Command Douglas C-47 Skytrain Squadron. After training in the United States, at various bases, it was sent to Baer Field, Indiana for final equipping with aircraft, personnel, and other equipment. It was then deployed to IX Troop Carrier Command in February 1944 during the build-up prior to the invasion of France.

During the D-Day Invasion, the squadron dropped paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division 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. Later participated in the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The squadron supported the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge by towing gliders full of supplies near Bastogne on 27 December 1944. In addition, its units participated in the air assault across the Rhine River in early 1945 (Operation Varsity) and later flew numerous freight missions to carry gasoline, food, medicine, and other supplies to allied ground forces during the Western Allied invasion of Germany in April 1945 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. It transported displaced persons from Germany to France and Belgium after V-E Day. Remained in Europe during the summer of 1945, inactivating as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe, October 1945.

Reserve operations and mobilization for the Korean War

Reactivated in the reserve as a Curtiss C-46 Commando troop carrier squadron in Minneapolis, Minnesota during 1947. Was federalized as a result of the Korean War in 1951, squadron personnel and aircraft being sent to active-duty units as fillers, inactivated as an administrative unit a few days later.

Reactivation in the reserve

Reactivated after the Korean War as a reserve fighter-bomber squadron in 1952 initially equipped with North American F-51 Mustangs, later upgraded to Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star jet aircraft. Redesignated back to a troop carrier squadron in 1957. Carried out theater transport operations and supported Air Force and Army units with troop carrier missions. Was activated during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, carried Army units to South Florida in preparation of a possible invasion of Cuba. Returned Army personnel to home stations after the situation was normalized and returned to reserve service.

The squadron flew airlift missions worldwide, including to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and to Southwest Asia during the Gulf War. It has also participated in training exercises, some involving the dropping or landing of airborne troops, and flew numerous humanitarian airlift missions.

Campaigns and decorations

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 96th Troop Carrier Squadron on 25 May 1943
Activated on 1 July 1943
Inactivated on 18 October 1945
  • Activated in the reserve on 6 March 1947
Redesignated 96th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 27 June 1949
Ordered to Active Service on 1 May 1951
Inactivated on 4 May 1951
  • Redesignated 96th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 26 May 1952
Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952
Redesignated 96th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 8 September 1957
Ordered to active service on 28 October 1962
Relieved from active service on 28 November 1962
Redesignated 96th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 July 1967
Redesignated 96th Airlift Squadron on 1 February 1992[1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes
  1. ^ Thgis emblem replaced one approved on 28 July 1960. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 321-322.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f Endicott, Judy G. (26 December 2007). "Factsheet 96 Airlift Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 1 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b Station number in Anderson.
  3. ^ a b c Station number in Johnson.
  4. ^ Station information in Endicott, except as noted.

Bibliography

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

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