815th Airlift Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 815th Airlift Squadron


caption= 815th Airlift Squadron Patch
dates= 14 September 1943 – 25 September 1945
1 January 1953 – 15 December 1969
25 April 1973 – Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Airlift
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Force Reserve Command
22nd Air Force
403d Wing
403d Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison= Keesler Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Flying Jennies
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations= Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
battle_honours=

The 815th Airlift Squadron (815 AS) is part of the 403d Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates C-130 Hercules aircraft providing global airlfit.

Mission

Support the theater commander with the capability to resupply the forces, provide for their airlift requirements and employment operations within the combat zone or forward areas, and when requested, to provide aeromedical/refugee evacuation and augment strategic airlift forces. The unit can perform precision air drop of supplies and paratroopers in all weather conditions either day or night, as well as perform day and night assualt zone loadings.

History

The 815th saw combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and the European Theater of Operations from 12 April 1944–26 April 1945. It transported redeployed personnel from Italy to French Morocco, May–September 1945.

The squadron transported troops, supplies, and equipment to, and evacuated casualties from, Korea in 1953. It airlifted personnel and cargo in Western Pacific from 1953–1969, including combat support missions in Southeast Asia from, 1964-1969.

It performed weather reconnaissance from, 1983–1987, including flying into hurricanes to collect atmospheric data and retained weather reconnaissance capability until 1992. It had tactical airlift responsibilities from 1973–1975 and since 1987. It also took part in Operation Just Cause in Panama, December 1989-January 1990.

The 815 AS was selected as the first Reserve unit in the U.S. Air Force to take delivery of the new "J" model C-130 and participated heavily in writing the book for "J" model operations. Along with a sister Air National Guard unit, the 815 AS deployed the J model into combat, and bested all previous C-130 squadrons that were previouly employed by setting numerous records in the theater for best aircraft availability, missions flown, as well as passengers and cargo carried.

Operations

*World War II
*Korean War
*Operation Just Cause
*Operation Provide Relief
*Operation Provide Promise
*Operation Uphold Democracy
*Operation Restore Hope
*Operation Southern Watch
*Operation Iraqi Freedom

Lineage

*815th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (1943 – 1944)
*815th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy (1944 – 19527)
*815th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium (1952 – 1965)
*815th Troop Carrier Squadron (1965 – 1967)
*815th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1967 – 1976)
*815th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (1976 – 1987)
*815th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1987 – 1992)
*815th Airlift Squadron (1992 – Present)

Assignments

*483d Bombardment Group (1943 – 1945)
*483d Troop Carrier Wing (1953 – 1960)
*315th Air Division (1960 – 1968)
*920th Weather Reconnaissance Group (1973 – 1983)
*403d Wing (1983 – Present)

Bases stationed

*Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington (1943)
*MacDill Field, Florida (1943 – 1944)
*Sterparone Airfield, Italy (1944 – 1945)
*Pisa, Italy (1945)
*Ahiya Air Base, Japan (1953 – 1960)
*Tachikawa Air Base, Japan (1960 – 1969)
*Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi (1973 – Present)

Aircraft Operated

*B-17 Flying Fortress (1943 – 1945)
*C-119 Flying Boxcar (1953 – 1959)
*C-130E Hercules (1958 – 1969, 1973 – 1975, 1988 – 1998)
*C-130J Super Hercules (1998–Present)
*WC-130 (1976 – 1990, 1991 – 1993)

References

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0815as.html USAF 815th Airlift Squadron History]
* [http://www.403wg.afrc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7484 815th Airlift Squadron Fact Sheet]

External links