137th Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
 SquadronC-17A Globemaster III atStewart ANGB | |
| Active | 1942–1945; 1948–1961; 1961–1969; 1969–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  New York |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | New York Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 137th Airlift Squadron emblem |  |
| 137th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem |  |
| 504th Fighter Squadron emblem[1] |  |
| Tail stripe | "Stewart" on a blue stripe |
| World War II Fuselage code[1] | 5Q |
The137th Airlift Squadron is a unit of theNew York Air National Guard105th Airlift Wing located atStewart Air National Guard Base,Newburgh, New York. It was first activated duringWorld War II as the483rd Bombardment Squadron. After converting to fighter aircraft as the504th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, the squadron deployed to theEuropean Theater of Operations, where it participated in combat, earning aDistinguished Unit Citation and destroying 52 enemy aircraft in air to air combat. FollowingV-E Day, it returned to the United States, where it was inactivated in November 1945.
In 1946, it was allotted to theNational Guard and in 1948 was activated in theNew York Air National Guard as the137th Fighter Squadron it continued in the fighter role until 1961, when the137th Tactical Fighter Squadron was replaced by the137th Aeromedical Transport Squadron. It flew transport andaeromedical evacuation missions until 1969, when the137th Military Airlift Squadron was replaced by the137th Tactical Air Support Squadron which trained as aforward air control unit until 1983, when it moved fromWestchester County Airport to Stewart and resumed theairlift mission.
The squadron operates theBoeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift cargo plane fromStewart Air National Guard Base. The squadron's airmen regularly fly missions providing support to U.S. forces worldwide. Squadron members also deploy as members of air expeditionary wings into operational areas throughout the world. As members of theNew York Air National Guard, airmen of the squadron respond to state emergencies when called upon by the Governor of New York.[2]
The first predecessor of thesquadron was formed in August 1942 as the483rd Bombardment Squadron atHunter Field, Georgia, as one of the original four squadrons of the339th Bombardment Group.[3][4][5] It was equipped withDouglas A-24 Banshee dive bombers, and also flew a fewCurtiss A-25 Shrikes. In July 1943, it moved toWalterboro Army Air Field, South Carolina, where it re-equipped withBell P-39 Airacobras. The following month, along with all other single engine bomber units of theArmy Air Forces (AAF), it was redesignated as afighter-bomber unit, becoming the504th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. It moved toRice Army Air Field, California in September 1943, where in addition to training with its P-39s, it participated inmaneuvers. It departed Rice for theEuropean Theater of Operations on 9 March 1944, sailing from the New York Port of Embarkation on theMV Stirling Castle on 22 March.[3][4][6]
The squadron landed in England on 4 April[6] and arrived at its combat station,RAF Fowlmere, the next day. Its first airplane arrived on 12 April,[6] aNorth American P-51B Mustang. It quickly converted to the new fighter, and flew its first combat mission, a fighter sweep, on 30 April. In May, it dropped the "Bomber" from its name, becoming the504th Fighter Squadron. It flew escort forBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress andConsolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers during its first five weeks of operations, and afterwards flew escort missions to cover operations ofmedium andheavy bombers that struck strategic objectives,interdicted enemylines of communication, and providedair support for ground forces.[4] In June 1954, it began to receive updated P-51D models of the Mustang. The 339th Group was also the firstVII Fighter Command unit to be equipped withg-suits, which enabled its fighters to make tighter turns in dogfights.[7]
OnD-Day It provided fighter cover over theEnglish Channel and the coast ofNormandy for the landing forces. Itstrafed anddive bombed vehicles, locomotives,marshaling yards,flak batteries, and troops whileAllied forces fought to break out of the beachhead in France. It attacked transportation targets duringOperation Cobra, the July breakout atSaint Lo, and the subsequent Allied drive across France. It flew area patrols duringOperation Market-Garden, the airborne landings attempting to secure a bridgehead across theRhine in the Netherlands in September.[4]
The squadron frequently strafed airfields and other targets of opportunity while on escort missions.[b] It was awarded theDistinguished Unit Citation for its actions on escort missions on 10 and 11 September 1944. On the first day, after escorting bombers attacking a target in Germany, it attackedErding Airfield, destroying or damaging enemy aircraft despite intense fire from antiaircraft guns and small arms. The following day it escorted a formation of bombers attackingMunich that was attacked by enemyinterceptor aircraft, in the strongest defense put up byLuftflotte Reich since May.[8] The squadron shot down fifteen enemy fighters and drove off the remaining attacking aircraft, while other elements attacked an airfield nearKarlsruhe, encountering heavy fire, but damaging or destroying numerous aircraft parked on the field.[c][4][9]
The squadron escorted bombers to, and flew patrols over the battle area during theBattle of the Bulge, the German counterattack in theArdennes in December 1944 through early January 1945. In March 1945 it supportedOperation Varsity, the assault across the Rhine in Germany, patrolling the area to prevent German air attacks.[4] It flew its last combat mission on 21 April 1945.[6] The squadron was credited with 52 air to air victories during its year in combat.[10]
In August and September 1945, the squadron transferred its planes to depots and many of its personnel were reassigned.[6] The remaining squadron members left the theater in September,[3] preceding the remainder of the 339th Group, which sailed on theRMS Queen Mary in October.[4][6] It was briefly stationed at Drew Field once again before inactivating on 7 November 1945.[3]
The 504th Squadron was redesignated the137th Fighter Squadron and was allotted to theNational Guard on 24 May 1946.[3] It was organized atWestchester County Airport, White Plains, New York, and was extended federal recognition on 24 June 1948. The squadron was equipped withRepublic F-47D Thunderbolts[11] and was assigned to the107th Fighter Group atNiagara Falls Municipal Airport, when thegroup was organized in December. The mission of the 137th Fighter Squadron was to train and equip to be capable of immediatemobilization to perform its Federal mission and to function efficiently when called on by the State of New York to preserve peace, order and public safety..[12]
Although most Air National Guard units were called to active duty for theKorean War, the 137th retained the air defense mission.[citation needed] In 1951, its Thunderbolts were replaced by F-51H Mustangs, capable of extended flights over all of New York State.[11] In November of 1951,Eastern Air Defense Force implemented a plan under which a "scramble line" was installed to the squadron that would permit the squadron to be mobilized and ordered into combat within four hours.[13] The following year, the squadron became the137th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron without a change in mission.[14]
In 1954, the Mustang was ending its service life andAir Defense Command (ADC) was re-equipping its fighter-interceptor squadrons with jet aircraft. The 137th receivedLockheed F-94B Starfires,[15] however the F-94 required a two-man aircrew a pilot and an observer to operate its radar equipment. The additional recruitment of guardsmen led to the units having a manning and capabilities problem. It was not until 1955 that a regular flow of graduates from the radar observer school began.[e][16] In October 1954, the squadron began augmenting the Regular Air Force, maintaining a Starfire on alert from dawn to dusk daily.[17]
In 1956, the107th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was reorganized and redesignated the 107th Air Defense Wing.[18] In this reorganization, the105th Fighter Group was established as the 137th's new headquarters. The group included the 137th as the group's operational squadron and included units to support the 137th[f] TheNorth American F-86H Sabre replaced the F-94B Starfires in 1957.[11]
In 1958, the squadron became the137th Tactical Fighter Squadron and changed from its ADC mission to being gained byTactical Air Command (TAC) . The new assignment involved a change in the group's training mission to include high-altitude interception, air-to-ground rocketry, ground strafing and tactical bombing. It also won the Governor's Air Trophy as the best tactical unit in the state.[19]
.jpg)
The 105th Tactical Fighter Group was inactivated on 1 February 1961 with the 137th being redesignated the137th Aeromedical Transport Squadron and transferred to the106th Aeromedical Transport Group asMilitary Air Transport Service (MATS) became its wartime gaining command. The 137th converted to flying theFairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar.[20] The squadron airlifted critically injured and sick personnel until late 1963.[citation needed]
With air transportation recognized as a critical need, the squadron was redesignated the137th Air Transport Squadron, Heavy on 1 December 1963 and equipped withBoeing C-97 Stratofreighter heavy transports, although the aeromedical flight remained as a secondary mission. With the mission change, the squadron returned to the control of the 105th Air Transport Group. With the C-97s, the 137th augmented MATS airlift capability worldwide in support of the Air Force's needs, flying missions weekly. In the spring of 1964, it airlifted men and materiel to and from the maneuver areas forOperation Desert Strike, which was the second largestmilitary exercise since World War II, involving over 100,000 service members. The squadron also airlifted members of the National Guard to and from their annual training sites, which previously had to be done by ground transport or commercial air.[21] It also flew scheduled MATS transport missions to Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. On 1 January 1966, MATS becameMilitary Airlift Command (MAC) and the 137th was redesignated as the137th Military Airlift Squadron.[citation needed]
In 1966, the squadron began operations to and from bases in South Vietnam.[22] During calendar year 1967, in addition to the Southeast Asia flights which continued throughout the year until September,[15] the squadron flew missions to South America, Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe in support of MAC and the Joint Chiefs of Staff airlift (directed) missions. The overseas flights also were in addition to a variety of airlift missions flown within the continental United States to include Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico carrying personnel of the active military, Reserve and National Guard units to and from training sites and a continuing series of joint exercises.[citation needed]
%2c_USA_-_Air_Force_AN1526504.jpg)
In 1969 the C-97s were reaching the end of their operational lifetime and in March, the 105th became the 105th Tactical Air Support Group and was again gained by TAC.[23] The137th Tactical Air Support Squadron received interimCessna U-3 Blue Canoe aircraft direct from Cessna, which were soon replaced with theCessna O-2A Super Skymaster .[11] The O-2 was a military development of the Cessna 337 Skymaster, a high wing, twin boom aircraft with a unique centerline pusher/tractor twin engine configuration. The O-2A version, used by the 137th TASS, was used in forward air control (FAC) missions, often in conjunction with a ground FAC and ROMAD (radio operator, maintenance, and driver), team.[citation needed]
The squadron mission was to train forward air controllers and to maintain proficiency in the unit aircraft. An unusual call to active duty on took place from 24 to 26 March for the New York City postal strike. The 105th Group performed postal duties at the Main Bronx Post Office, Westchester County Airport. During 1970,President Nixon, the Presidents ofFrance,Ecuador, and several other foreign notables landed at Westchester County Airport.[citation needed]
As part of the drawdown of forces in Southeast Asia, aircraft from theVietnam War were added to make up the allocated number to the squadron.[11] The squadron assisted local governmental health agencies in detecting violations of water and stream pollution laws.[24] 105th pilots, on the kind of observation missions they would fly in combat, flew program of photographing and reporting to local officials. The local health agency would then send its own aircraft to take similar photographs for evidence and possible action.[25] The 105th was awarded the Governor's Trophy for 1974, signifying the outstanding flying unit of the New York Air National Guard for that year.[citation needed]
The 105th Tactical Air Support Wing was activated on 14 June 1975, and the 105th Group became the operational organization for the newwing.[26] In August 1978 the group was inactivated and the 137th was assigned directly to the wing.[27] However, the unit reverted to group status on 1 July 1979.[28] In 1978, the squadron participated in Exercise Empire Glacier atFort Drum, a cold weather exercise. Previous winter exercises had been held in Alaska, but northern New York was selected for this exercise not only for the snow cover, but for the similarity of its terrain and climate to northern Europe.[27]
In 1979, the unit received theAir Force Outstanding Unit Award.[11] After becoming a part of TAC, the unit received the New York State Governor's Trophy, as the State's outstanding flying unit, more than one half of the years.[11][28]
In the early 1980s, it became apparent that the facility at Westchester Airport was not large enough to support a conversion to a new aircraft or mission. The State's Division of Military and Naval Affairs started negotiations withNational Guard Bureau to relocate the unit. As a result, USAF and the Air National Guard approved a unit relocation toStewart International Airport, Newburgh, New York. This move took advantage of the excellent airfield facilities at Stewart, which was an active Air Force Base through 1969.[11] The move, initiated during 1982 was completed by the last quarter of 1983.[29]
In May 1983, the unit relocated to Stewart International Airport. It was redesignated the 105th Military Airlift Group on 1 May 1984 and later in July 1985 became the first Air National Guard unit in the Nation to fly theLockheed C-5A Galaxy aircraft.[30][h] Soon after receiving its first C-5A aircraft, in October 1985 the unit airlifted cots and bedding to Puerto Rico followingHurricane Gloria.[citation needed]
The squadron's C-5s were first tapped for humanitarian relief, when it flew emergency supplies to Puerto Rico in October 1985, followingHurricane Isabel.[30] In October 1988 the 137th airlifted supplies to Jamaica followingHurricane Gilbert.[31] In October 1989 the unit airlifted relief supplies to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands followingHurricane Hugo. In September 1992 the unit responded toHurricane Andrew, delivering food, tents, mobile kitchens, vehicles, and emergency services personnel toHomestead, Florida.[citation needed] Immediately followingHurricane Marilyn in September 1995, the unit airlifted 527,200 pounds of desperately needed supplies and equipment to the citizens of the American Virgin Islands.[citation needed]
In addition to hurricane relief the squadron flew other humanitarian missions. In January 1989, it carried earthquake relief supplies to aid Armenia. In March 1989 the 105th responded with less than 24 hours notice to an MAC request to airlift a submersible vehicle fromAndrews Air Force Base, Maryland andHomestead Air Force Base, Florida toKadena Air Base, Japan to assist in search and recovery operations for an Air ForceSikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopter which crashed in the East China Sea. Throughout the summer and fall of 1989 the 137th continued to support reconstruction efforts in Jamaica by airlifting National Guard civil engineering teams and equipment to that island nation.[citation needed] In December 1991, the 105th airlifted clothing, blankets and medical supplies toBucharest, Romania. In February 1992 the unit participated inOperation Provide Hope, the airlift of humanitarian aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union), delivering relief materials toSaint Petersburg, Russia andYerevan, Armenia.[citation needed]
In 1989, the squadron performed its wartime mission in support ofOperation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama to replaceManuel Noriega.[32][33] The cargo airlifted by the 105th in support of that operation was approximately 25% of the initial total airlift effort of all of MAC's C-5 fleet from both active duty and reserve component elements.[citation needed]
On 7 August 1990 GovernorMario Cuomo announced that the Department of Defense had requested, and he had approved, the participation of the personnel and C-5A aircraft of the 137th in support ofOperation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf region.[33] On 24 August the squadron was called to active duty by PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush to provide support for this operation. While the 137th was formally returned to state control on 15 May 1991, the majority of unit members chose to remain in active status until 1 August 1991 in response to MAC's need for continuing airlift support of Operation Desert Storm andOperation Provide Comfort (Kurdish relief).[citation needed]
In March 1992, the unit was redesignated the137th Airlift Squadron. On 1 October 1995, the 105th adopted the Air Force Objective Wing organization plan, the 105th Airlift Group became a wing and the 137th Airlift Squadron was assigned to the new 105th Operations Group.[citation needed]
In November 1992 the 105th airlifted generators, portable shelters and medical supplies and equipment toZagreb, Croatia to support the U.S. Army's establishment of a facility to provide health care for United Nations forces deployed in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. From December 1992 to April 1993 the 105th supportedOperation Restore Hope providing humanitarian airlift of supplies and over 600 passengers into Somalia. Following massive flooding in the central United States in July 1993, the unit airlifted ten reverse osmosis water purification systems capable of providing over 600,000 gallons of potable water a day toDes Moines, Iowa. In August 1993 the unit airlifted relief supplies and equipment to Southern Turkey to be used to help Kurdish refugees from Iraqi terrorism.[citation needed]
In October 1993 the 105th returned to Somalia, delivering military personnel and equipment non-stop with triple air refueling directly from bases in the United States toMogadishu. In July 1994 105th aircraft began carrying humanitarian relief supplies to the people of Rwanda. In late September 1994 the unit began airlifting supplies and equipment to Haiti as part ofOperation Uphold Democracy. The 105th played a key role in July 1995 for Operation Quick Lift when it airlifted cargo and British troops fromRAF Brize Norton, UK toSplit, Croatia in support of the United Nations' Rapid Reaction Deployment Force.[citation needed]
In October 1994 squadron aircraft and volunteer crews played a key role inOperation Vigilant Warrior andOperation Southern Watch deterring potential Iraqi aggression in the Arabian Peninsula. In August 1995 the 105th airlifted personnel and equipment to Kuwait to support Vigilant Warrior II and Exercise Intrinsic Action.[citation needed] In December 1995, 105th Airlift Wing C-5 crews embarked on the first of six missions in support of PresidentBill Clinton's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, transporting U.S. Army support equipment to the European theater. The 105th returned to Rwanda in March 1996 to deliver vital supplies and equipment in support of theInternational Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and theWorld Food Program.[citation needed]
In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts and changing world situations, began experimenting with air expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was developed that would mix active duty, reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force. Instead of entire permanent units deploying as provisional units as in the 1991 Gulf War, expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation.[citation needed] Since 1996, when the squadron is the major force provider for an expeditionary unit, the 137th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is formed. It has deployed in support contingencies includingOperation Joint Endeavor,Operation Allied Force, andOperation Joint Guardian. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the 137th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron was formed supportOperation Northern Watch,Operation Enduring Freedom andOperation Iraqi Freedom.[citation needed]
On 27 November 2010, the USAF selected the squadron and Stewart as its preferred base for eightBoeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.[34] The squadron's C-5s were retired and replaced by the C-17s. The initial C-17 assigned to the squadron arrived on 18 July 2011.[15] Unlike its predecessor, the C-17 can take off and land from unpaved runways.[citation needed] The last squadron C-5 departed its Hudson Valley home on 19 September 2012.[citation needed]
In the aftermath ofHurricane Sandy in October 2012, the 105th Airlift Wing and the 213d Engineering Installation Squadron deployed 75 New York guardsmen as part of the state response to the disaster in New York City and Long Island. The Airmen were part of Joint Operations Area 3, Joint Task Force 3 hurricane relief operations in Manhattan and were among more than 2,400 guardsmen deployed at the order of Gov.Andrew M. Cuomo.[citation needed] In 2024, the squadron transported members of theNew York Army National Guard and vehicles to help with the recovery effort in North Carolina followingHurricane Helene.[35]
The squadron participated inOperation Allies Refuge, the evacuation fromKabul, Afghanistan in 2021. It airlifted soldiers from the160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment into Kabul and airlifted aBoeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter and aircrew to support the operation. While evading hostile enemy fire, the squadron evacuated 2,524 men, women and children, including over 800 Afghan nationals. During one flight, a 105th loadmaster discovered an unconscious refugee not breathing and quickly administered CPR, saving the child’s life. On their final Afghanistan mission, aircrew members of the 137th airlifted 13 fallen service members from Kabul.[36]
| Award streamer | Award | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Distinguished Unit Citation | 10–11 September 1944 | 504th Fighter Squadron[3] |
 | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award | 2020 | 137th Airlift Squadron[43] |
| Air Force Meritorious Unit Award | 2021 | 137th Airlift Squadron[36] |
 | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 June 1977–31 May 1979 | 137th Tactical Air Support Squadron[44] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 November 1992–31 October 1993 | 137th Airlift Squadron[44] |
| Air Force Outstanding Unit Award | 1 July 1999–30 June 2001 | 137th Airlift Squadron[44] |
| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Central Europe | 5 April 1944 1944–21 May 1945 | 504th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (later 504th Fighter Squadron)[3] |
| Air Combat, EAME Theater | 5 April 1944–11 May 1945 | 504th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (later 504th Fighter Squadron)[3] |
| Air Offensive, Europe | 5 April 1944–5 June 1944 | 504th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (later 504th Fighter Squadron)[3] |
| Normandy | 6 June 1944–24 July 1944 | 504th Fighter Squadron[3] |
| Northern France | 25 July 1944–14 September 1944 | 504th Fighter Squadron[3] |
| Rhineland | 15 September 1944–21 March 1945 | 504th Fighter Squadron[3] |
| Ardennes-Alsace | 16 December 1944–25 January 1945 | 504th Fighter Squadron[3] |
 | Just Cause | 20 December 1989–31 January 1990 | 137th Military Airlift Squadron, Panama[32] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| Leadership |  | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure |
| ||||||||||
| Personnel and training | |||||||||||
| Uniforms and equipment | |||||||||||
| History and traditions |
| ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units |
| .svg) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
