709th Airlift Squadron: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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Activated in mid 1943 as a [[B-17 Flying Fortress]] heavy bomb squadron, trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to [[England]] in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during November 1943, assigned to [[VIII Bomber Command]] as a strategic bombardment squadron. Participated in the air offensive over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe until German capitulation in May 1945. Personnel demobilized in England and returned to the United States; squadron reassigned to [[Third Air Force]] for possible re-equipping with [[B-29 Superfortress]]es and deployment to Pacific Theater. Japanese capitulation led to inactivation in November 1945. |
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The 709th saw combat in the [[European Theater of Operations]] from 24 December 1943-21 April 1945. It trained in the [[Military reserve force|Reserve]] for bombardment missions from 1947-1949. |
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Activated in the postwar reserve as a B-29 squadron. Trained for proficiency as part of [[Strategic Air Command]] reserve forces. Activated as a result of [[Korean War]] in 1951, squadron's aircraft and personnel reassigned to [[Far East Air Force]] Bomber Command, inactivated as a paper unit. |
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| ⚫ | Reactivated as [[Military Airlift Command]] reserve [[C-5 Galaxy]] squadron in 1973 and became associate squadron of [[436th Military Airlift Wing]]. Since 1973 the 709th has trained for and flown airlift missions, participating in [[Military exercise|exercises]] and global [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian]] and contingency operations. |
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=== Lineage=== |
=== Lineage=== |
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Revision as of 22:46, 6 May 2010
| 709th Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
 709th Airlift Squadron Patch | |
| Active | 1 May 1943 - 7 November 1945 10 November 1947 - 27 June 1949 1 October 1973 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command 22d Air Force 512th Airlift Wing 512th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Dover Air Force Base |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
The 709th Airlift Squadron (709 AS) is part of the 512th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
Mission
It operates C-5 Galaxy aircraft providing global airlfit.
History
Activated in mid 1943 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomb squadron, trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to England in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during November 1943, assigned to VIII Bomber Command as a strategic bombardment squadron. Participated in the air offensive over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe until German capitulation in May 1945. Personnel demobilized in England and returned to the United States; squadron reassigned to Third Air Force for possible re-equipping with B-29 Superfortresses and deployment to Pacific Theater. Japanese capitulation led to inactivation in November 1945.
Activated in the postwar reserve as a B-29 squadron. Trained for proficiency as part of Strategic Air Command reserve forces. Activated as a result of Korean War in 1951, squadron's aircraft and personnel reassigned to Far East Air Force Bomber Command, inactivated as a paper unit.
Reactivated as Military Airlift Command reserve C-5 Galaxy squadron in 1973 and became associate squadron of 436th Military Airlift Wing. Since 1973 the 709th has trained for and flown airlift missions, participating in exercises and global humanitarian and contingency operations.
Lineage
- Constituted 709th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943
- Activated on 1 May 1943
- Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945
- Redesignated 709th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 24 Oct 1947
- Activated in the reserve on 10 Nov 1947
- Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949
- Redesignated 709 Military Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 19 Jun 1973
- Activated in the Reserve on 1 Oct 1973
- Redesignated: 709th Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 1 Feb 1992
- Redesignated: 709th Airlift Squadron on 1 Oct 1994.
Assignments
- 447th Bombardment Group, 1 May 1943-7 Nov 1945; 10 Nov 1947-27 Jun 1949
- ETO Fuselage Code: IE
- 512th Military Airlift (later, 512 Airlift) Wing, 1 Oct 1973
- 512th Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992-Present
Stations
- Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, 1 May 1943
- Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, 13 Jun 1943
- Harvard Army Airfield, Nebraska, 1 Aug-11 Nov 1943
- RAF Rattlesden (AAF-126), England, 1 Dec 1943-c. 3 Aug 1945
- Drew Field, Florida, 18 Aug-7 Nov 1945
- Bergstrom Field (later, AFB), Texas, 10 Nov 1947-27 Jun 1949
- Dover AFB, Delaware, 1 Oct 1973-Present
Aircraft
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943-1945
- B-29 Superfortress, 1947-1949.
- C-5 Galaxy, 1973-Presnet
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN: 0892010975
- USAF 709th Airlift Squadron History