41st Airlift Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 4th Airlift Squadron


caption= 41st Airlift Squadron Patch
dates= 2 February 1942 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Airlift
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Mobility Command
18th Air Force
43d Airlift Wing
463d Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison= Little Rock Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Blackcats
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders= Alfred G. Hansen
Duncan McNabb
anniversaries=
decorations= Presidential Unit Citation
Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
battle_honours=

The 41st Airlift Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force and was based at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina until a realignment ceremony on 23 February 2007. The 41st AS "Blackcats" then moved to Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. The 41st AS stood up at Little Rock AFB on 5 April. They presently fly C-130J aircraft and are assigned to the 43d Operations Group.

Origin

The 41st Airlift Squadron was constituted as the 41st Transport Squadron on February 2, 1942, activated on February 18, 1942 at Duncan Field as a component of the San Antonio Air Depot. The unit flew C-47 aircraft.

The "black cats" became part of the 317th Transport Group February 22, 1942 and redesignated as the 41st Troop Carrier Squadron on July 4, 1942.

World War II

Moved first to Australia, then was part of McAurthur's island hopping campaign up New Guinea, into the Philippines and finally to Japan.

Berlin Airlift

The 41st had just received new C-54s when the communist blockade of Berlin began. In order to maximize the capabilities of the Air Force's airlift fleet, the 317th Airlift Group and its subordinate squadrons, including the 41st moved to Europe.

Vietnam

Iraq

Prior to obtaining the C-130s, the unit flew C-119s.

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/41as.htm Website at Globalsecurity.org]
* [http://public.pope.amc.af.mil/ Pope AFB official site.]