135th Airlift Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 135th Airlift Squadron


caption= 135th Airlift Squadron Emblem
dates= ???-Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type= Squadron
role= Airlift
size=
command_structure= Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command
current_commander=
garrison= Martin State Airport
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Baltimore's Best
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=The 135th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the Maryland Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 175th Wing.

Mission [The Chesapeake Guardian (Annual Report issue). Winter 2008]

Maintains combat-ready aircrew and aircraft to mobilize, deploy and provide intratheater airlift in support of U.S. interests worldwide. Supports theater commanders' requirements for combat delivery capability through tactical airland/airdrop operations and humanitarian aeromedical evacuations.

History

The 135th Airlift Squadron was organized as the 135th Air Resupply Squadron on September 10, 1955 as part of the 135th Airlift Group. When it was organized, it was one of a handful of Air National Guard units nationwide tasked with what was at the time called the air commando mission, which included covert infiltration, resupply and exfiltration of special operations troops. It remained a special operations-type unit until 1971, when it was reorganized as a tactical air support unit. In this role, it was tasked with providing Forward Air Controllers to direct air strikes in support of troops on the ground. In 1977 it was again reorganized, this time as a tactical airlift unit. The 135th Airlift Group was inactivated for two brief periods: 1958-1962, during which time the 135th Airlift Squadron continued to function as independent squadron, and 1996-1999, during which time it reported directly to the 175th Wing.

It was originally stationed at Harbor Field in Baltimore, where it flew C-54 and SA-16 aircraft. In 1960, it relocated to the south side of the Martin Company Airport (now the Martin State Airport) in Middle River Maryland. In 1981, it moved across the field to join other Maryland Air National Guard units based on the north side of the field. The military facilities are named Warfield Air National Guard Base.

Heraldry

Symbolism: Ultramarine blue and golden yellow are the Air Force colors and symbolize that the unit is a part of the Air Force. The escutcheon portrays the coat of arms of the State of Maryland and signifies the home location of the unit. The crossed jousting lances reflect the military preparedness of the squadron and allude the Maryland state sport.

Background: Designed by Lt Col Ronald James and approved for the 135th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 3 October 1990. Redesignated for the 135th Airlift Squadron in 1992. The motto, "Baltimore's Best" was suggested by Master Sgt. Lee Cherry and arose from the unit having been recognized by the Baltimore Is Best Committee on 18 Feb 1987. This insignia superseded one approved by the Air Force for the squadron in October 1960.

AssignmentsThe Maryland Air National Guard: A Commemorative History. Charlotte, NC: Fine Books Publishing Co. 2000.

Major Command

*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command (1999-present)
*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1993-1996)
*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command (1992-1993)
*Air National Guard/Military Airlift Command (1977-1992)
*Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1955-1977)

Previous designationsThe Maryland Air National Guard: A Commemorative History. Charlotte, NC: Fine Books Publishing Co. 2000.

* 135th Air Resupply Squadron (1955-1958)
* 135th Troop Carrier Squadron (1962-1963)
* 135th Air Commando Squadron (1963-1968)
* 135th Special Operations Squadron (1968-1971)
* 135th Tactical Air Support Squadron (1971-1977)
* 135th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1977-1992)
* 135th Airlift Squadron (1992-Present)

Bases StationedThe Maryland Air National Guard: A Commemorative History. Charlotte, NC: Fine Books Publishing Co. 2000.

*Harbor Field, Baltimore, Maryland (1955-1960)
*Warfield Air National Guard Base, Baltimore, Maryland (1960-Present)

Aircraft OperatedThe Maryland Air National Guard: A Commemorative History. Charlotte, NC: Fine Books Publishing Co. 2000.

*C-46D Commando (1955-1958)
*HU-16A Albatross (1956-1962)
*HU-16B Albatross (1957-1971)
*U-10 Super Courier (1963-1972)
*U-6A Beaver (1965-1967)
*O-2A Super Skymaster (1971-1977)
*C-7A Caribou (1977-1980)
*C-130B Hercules (1980-1989)
*C-130E Hercules (1989-2000)
*C-130J Hercules (1999-Present)

References

External links

* [https://www.md.ngb.army.mil/ Maryland National Guard]
* [http://www.175wg.ang.af.mil 175th Wing]
* [http://www.marylandmilitaryhistory.org/ Maryland Military Historical Society]