| 2nd Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
 C-130s taxiing atPope Army Airfield | |
| Active | 1935–1945; 1992–2016 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Nickname | Lancers[citation needed] |
| Engagements | China-Burma-India Theater[1] |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 2nd Airlift Squadron emblem[1][a] |  |
| 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron emblem[b][2] |  |
The2nd Airlift Squadron is an inactiveairlift of theUnited States Air Force squadron that specializes in airlift and transport missions. Established in 1940 as the 2nd Transport Squadron, the unit served primarily as a cargo and personnel transport squadron during World War II and subsequent conflicts. The squadron operated various transport aircraft throughout its history, including the C-47 Skytrain, C-124 Globemaster II, and C-141 Starlifter. Based at different times at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina and McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, the 2nd Airlift Squadron participated in numerous military operations, humanitarian missions, and strategic airlifts before its inactivation. The squadron's extensive service record included supporting Allied operations in World War II, the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, and operations in Vietnam, as well as later missions in the Middle East and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Provide theDepartment of Defense with highly trained, highly motivated, combat-ready aircrews who execute the best tactical airlift/airdrop operations in the United States Air Force.[3]
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Prior to the early 1930s, transport aircraft in theAir Corps had been assigned to air depots and to service squadrons, although provisional transport squadrons had been formed for special projects. By 1932 Major Hugh J. Kerr, Chief of the Field Service Section of theMateriel Division, proposed the formation of a transport squadron at each air depot to act as acadre for the transportwing the Air Corps proposed to support a field army in the event of mobilization. Major GeneralBenjamin Foulois approved the formation of four provisional squadrons in November 1932.[4]
The2nd Provisional Transport Squadron was constituted in October 1933. By March 1934, it had become a Regular Army Inactive unit atNorton Field, Ohio, withreserve officers assigned.[5]
In the spring of 1935, these squadrons, including the2nd Transport Squadron atOlmsted Field, Pennsylvania, were made regular units and activated withBellanca C-27 Airbus aircraft assigned. With enlisted men as pilots, the squadron hauled engines, parts, and other equipment to airfields in their assigned depot area, returned items to the depot, and transferred materiel between depots. They also furnished transportation formaneuvers. The rapid transport of supplies by the squadrons permitted the Air Corps to maintain low levels of materiel at its airfields, relying on replenishment from depot stocks only when needed.[4]
In May 1937, the squadron was reassigned from theMiddletown Air Depot to the newly activated10th Transport Group, which assumed command of all four squadrons. The squadron received two-engineDouglas C-33s, the military version of the DC-2 in 1936 and Douglas C-39s (DC-2s with tail surfaces of the DC-3) in 1939 to replace the single engine Bellancas. These, and various other militarized DC-3s remained as the squadron's equipment until the entry of the United States intoWorld War II.[4]
The squadron trained transport pilots, 21 May-1 October 1942; transported troops and airdropped them during the airborne assault on Myitkyina, Burma, 17 May 1944; aerial transportation in China-Burma-India theater, 25 February 1943-c. August 1945; airlift of Chinese troops to eastern China for disarmament operations, September–November 1945. Airlift for airborne troops, 1 June 1992 – 2015.[citation needed]
The squadron flewC-130H2 Hercules transport aircraft on airlift missions and shared these aircraft in an association with theAir Force Reserve Command's440th Airlift Wing. After being moved to Pope in the2005 BRAC, the 440th became the first Air Force Reserve Wing to have an active duty associate squadron.[6][7][8]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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