History 77th_Air_Refueling_Squadron

1 history

1.1 world war ii
1.2 post war troop carrier operations
1.3 air force reserve

1.3.1 troop carrier operations
1.3.2 airlift , air refueling operations


1.4 operations , decorations

history
world war ii

435th troop carrier group c-47 landing

media related 435th troop carrier group @ wikimedia commons

the squadron first activated @ bowman field, kentucky in february 1943, 1 of original squadrons of 435th troop carrier group. group used douglas c-47 skytrains , douglas c-53 skytrooopers in preparing duty overseas ninth air force.

the 77th left united states in october 1943, arriving @ raf langar, england, in november. on arrival, began training participation in airborne operation on normandy. squadron flew first combat missions on d-day dropping paratroopers of 101st airborne division near cherbourg. unit towed waco cg-4a , airspeed horsa gliders carrying reinforcements same location afternoon , on following morning. squadron received distinguished unit citation part in operation overlord, normandy invasion.

the squadron began transport services following landings in france , intermittently engaged in missions of type until v-e day in these operations 77th hauled supplies such serum, blood plasma, radar sets, clothing, rations, , ammunition. evacuated wounded personnel allied hospitals.

the squadron interrupted these supply , evacuation missions train , participate in 3 major airborne assaults. part of detachment of 3 squadrons 435th group moved tarquinia airfield, italy in july 1944 operation dragoon, invasion of southern france. detachment dropped paratroopers on assault area on 15 august , released gliders carrying troops , equipment such jeeps, guns, , ammunition. following day flew resupply mission on france, transported supplies bases in italy before returning england @ end of month.

in september 1944 squadron participated in operation market garden unsuccessful airborne operation intended seize bridges across meuse river in netherlands, dropping paratroops of 82d , 101st airborne divisions , releasing gliders carrying reinforcements. during battle of bulge, unit delivered supplies isolated combat positions of 101st airborne , 7th armored divisions in bastogne , marcouray, belgium.

the unit moved bretigny airfield, france in february 1945 prepare operation varsity, airborne assault across rhine river. each squadron aircraft participating in operation towed 2 gliders transporting troops , equipment east bank of rhine near wesel on 24 march. unit flew resupply missions germany in support of ground forces.

the squadron transported supplies occupation forces in germany , evacuated allied prisoners of war after v-e day. squadron , 435th group returned united states in august , group inactivated on 15 november 1945.

post war troop carrier operations

c-82s of 316th troop carrier group

shortly before 435th troop carrier group inactivated, squadron moved pope field, north carolina, became part of 316th troop carrier group. squadron operated curtiss c-46 commandos 316th, began converting fairchild c-82 packet transports. army air forces shrinking in size, squadron inactivated in june 1946 when 316th reduced in size 3 operational squadrons.

air force reserve
troop carrier operations

curtiss c-46d

the squadron once again activated reserve unit under air defense command @ miami international airport, florida on 15 july 1947. again assigned 435th troop carrier group, located @ morrison field, florida. squadron nominally curtiss c-46 commando unit, not clear extent equipped tactical aircraft while @ orlando.

in june 1949, continental air command, had assumed responsibility training reserve units air defense command in 1948, reorganized reserve units under wing base organization system. part of reorganization , unit reductions required president truman’s reduced 1949 defense budget, 435th group , remaining squadrons joined 77th @ miami international airport, assigned newly formed 435th troop carrier wing. squadron manned @ 25% of strength of regular unit.

fairchild c-119g flying boxcar

at miami, squadron trained c-46s under supervision of active duty 2585th air force reserve training center. squadron ordered active service in march 1951 result of korean war. along other reserve units called active duty, formed tactical air command s eighteenth air force. squadron s initial function train c-46 aircrews service in korea. 77th trained fairchild c-119 flying boxcars. although remained @ miami, unit deployed twice while on active duty: laurinburg-maxton airport, north carolina 21 july until 1 september 1951 , grenier air force base, new hampshire 2 january 3 march 1952. relieved active duty , inactivated on 1 december 1952 , mission, personnel , equipment transferred regular 745th troop carrier squadron, activated same day.

the squadron activated reserve unit same day @ same station, personnel , equipment of inactivating 813th troop carrier squadron. in reserve, squadron once again flew curtiss commandos. 1956, unit flying overseas missions, particularly in caribbean area , in central america. in addition, first time reserve unit, flying performed in unit tactical aircraft, rather in trainers.

in 1957, squadron once again received c-119s.

airlift , air refueling operations

the squadron trained , flew airlift missions in reserve of period of 1947-1972, including airlift southeast asia during vietnam war. since october 1985 has flown air refueling , air transport missions needed worldwide, taking part in many contingency , humanitarian operations, including air refueling support during u.s. invasion of panama, december 1989-january 1990 , persian gulf war in 1991.

operations , decorations

combat operations. airlift southeast asia during vietnam conflict. air refueling support during u.s. incursion panama, dec 1989-jan 1990 , persian gulf war in 1991.
campaigns. world war ii: rome-arno; normandy; northern france; southern france; rhineland; ardennes-alsace; central europe; operation cause; operation desert storm; operation joint forge; operation enduring freedom; operation iraqi freedom; operation odyssey dawn
decorations. distinguished unit citation: france, [6-7] jun 1944. air force outstanding unit awards: 1 aug 1967 – 25 oct 1968; 1 aug 1990-31 jul 1992; 2 aug 1992 – 1 aug 1994. republic of vietnam gallantry cross palm: 1 apr 1966 – 19 may 1972.




^ cite error: named reference 77arefsfacts invoked never defined (see page).
^ maurer, combat units, pp. 306-307
^ citus et certus. p. 25
^ citus et certus, p. 26
^ maurer, combat units, pp. 193-195
^ knaack, p. 25
^ cantwell, p. 74
^ ravenstein, pp. 230-231
^ abstract, history 2585 air force reserve training center jan-mar 1951 . air force history index. retrieved may 27, 2016. 
^ citus et certus, p. 8
^ citus et certus, p. 28
^ stevens, maj tonia (june 12, 2017). factsheet 435 air ground operations wing (usafe) . air force historical research agency. retrieved june 25, 2017. 
^ ravenstein, pp. 251-252
^ ravenstein, pp. 267-268
^ cantwell, p. 146