| 130th Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
 C-130H Hercules (s/n 88-1307) from the 130th Airlift Squadron, 130th Airlift Group, West Virginia Air National Guard flies over the United Arab Emirates during a troop-carrying mission in support of operation Desert Storm, 1991. | |
| Active | 1 October 1955 – Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  West Virginia |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | West Virginia Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Charleston Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia |
| Patron | "Mountaineers in Green" |
| Tail Code | Blue tail stripe, "Charlie West" in yellow letters with state map |
| Insignia | |
| 130th Airlift Squadron |  |
The130th Airlift Squadron (130 AS) is a unit of theWest Virginia Air National Guard130th Airlift Wing located atCharleston Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. 130th is equipped with theC-130J Super Hercules.
TheWest Virginia Air National Guard was authorized to expand to two squadrons in 1955 by theNational Guard Bureau. On 1 October, the130th Troop Carrier Squadron was organized atKanawha Airport, Charleston and was extended federal recognition. The squadron was assigned toTactical Air Command, which placed it under itsEighteenth Air Force. It was equipped withGrumman HU-16 Albatross amphibians andC-46 Commando troop transports. The mission of the 130th TCS was primarily Air Commando special operations missions.
On 1 July 1960 the 130th was authorized to expand to a group level, and the130th Air Commando Group was established by the National Guard Bureau. The 130th was re-designated as an Air Commando squadron and became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the group headquarters, 130th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 130th Combat Support Squadron, and the 130th USAF Dispensary. Aircraft assigned to the new group were upgraded toC-119 Flying Boxcars andU-10D Super Courier combat observation aircraft.
Continuing its mission and training with the active duty1st Air Commando Group in northern Florida, in 1968 HQ USAF directed all Air Commando organizations be re-designated as "Special Operations" units to be more descriptive of their mission. Through the 1960s and into the 1970s the 130th participated in many international missions and received recognition for its performance. This included the 130th being awarded the Spaatz Trophy four times as the "Outstanding Flying Unit in the Country " and theAir Force Outstanding Unit Award five times.
In 1975 the Flying Boxcars were retired, the 130th received the far more capableC-130E Hercules transport, and the unit was redesignated as a "Tactical Airlift" unit. The transition to the C-130 moved the gaining organization from Tactical Air Command toMilitary Airlift Command with the primary mission of the Group becoming tactical airlift, with the Special Operations mission becoming secondary with the end of theVietnam War.
A model upgrade to the C-130H in 1986 was completed and in August and September 1990, the 130th TAG commanded a "volunteer" package of 16 C-130s and support personnel from WV, TN, TX, MO and DE ANG units in support ofOperation Desert Shield. October 1990 saw the Presidential Call of selected members from the 130th Tactical Airlift Squadron combining with the181st Tactical Airlift Squadron, TX ANG to form the functional staff of the 1630th Tactical Airlift Squadron (Provisional) atAl Ain International Airport, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. In December 1990, the 130th Tactical Clinic and the 130th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron had selective members activated. They deployed toRAF Bicester, UK andDover AFB, Delaware respectively, subsequent toOperation Desert Storm. All members were released from active duty by June 1991. The members of the group located in the United Arab Emirates received theAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor.
In April 1992, some unit members and aircraft deployed toRhein-Main AB, Germany in support of the Bosnian Airlift called "Operation Provide Promise." The 130th has deployed several times since this date for "Provide Promise," the latest being from 21 September 1998 to 29 October 1998. In August 1993, one aircraft and 2 crews were sent to Operation "Operation Support Hope" for 30 days inRwanda, Africa.
Organizationally, the 130th was expanded to a wing in 1995. From January to March 1996, the unit deployed two aircraft, six crews and maintenance support to Daharan, Saudi Arabia, in support ofOperation Southern Watch.
As of mid-2000, the 130th AW had recently sent several aircraft and support personnel to Panama for Coronet Oak. While there, wing personnel were heavily involved inHurricane Mitch relief to Honduras and Nicaragua.
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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