| 17th Airlift Squadron | |
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17th Airlift Squadron Patch |
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| Active | February 18, 1942 – Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 437th Airlift Wing 437th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Charleston Air Force Base |
| Nickname | AAA Moving |
| Motto | Anything, Anywhere, Anytime |
| Decorations | AFOUA RVGC w/ Palm |
The 17th Airlift Squadron is one of four active duty C-17A Globemaster III squadrons at Charleston AFB, SC.
The 17th Airlift Squadron is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, who serves as head of the squadron and the pilots. The Chief Loadmaster is in charge of the loadmasters, and the First Sergeant takes charge of the few support military personnel and civilians working in the squadron.
The 17th was responsible for being the first unit to set up forward deployed C-17 staging operations, in the start of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, creating the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) .
Recently, the 17th Airlift Squadron stepped up to the plate again and created another EAS. For the first time in history, two C-17 Squadrons became deployed in forward theater locations, supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. The 817th Area of Responsibility split. On June 1, 2006, the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron was created and launched its first crew 15 minutes later.
Unlike previous C-17 deployments, this one actually had the squadron itself doing all the flying from "an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia." The 17th helped initiate a whole new concept in C-17 operations in that this was the first time that the airframe was employed like traditional intratheater airlift assets such as the (C-130, C-21, C-12, or C-20). However, unlike traditional tactical airlift assets that are under the direct command of the theater commander, the 817th EAS is headquartered out of theater.
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Note: the 17th Airlift Squadron already existed at the time of redesignation as a C-130 squadron based out of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. This unit originated from the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron under Alaskan Air Command in 1964. The squadron was redesignated the 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron in 1966. The squadron was redesignated the 517th Airlift Squadron upon activation of the C-17 squadron that took its name. In January 2006 the 517th Airlift Squadron began its own transition from C-130s to C-17s with the final C-130 leaving the unit on March 26, 2007.[1]
Hamilton Field, CA, April 27, 1942 – October 31, 1943. Charleston AFB, SC, July 18, 1954 – April 8, 1969; August 1, 1987 –
C-46, 1942–1943; C-47, 1942–1943. C-54, 1954–1958; C-124, 1958–1969. C-141, 1987–1993; C-17, 1993-.
World War II: Air Transport and aircraft delivery to the Pacific Theater. Worldwide Airlift beginning 1954. Missions to Southeast Asia, 1964–1969. Supported operations in Panama, December 18–29, 1989, and Southwest Asia, August 1990 – December 1991. Continues to support operations in Afghanistan, September 2001 – present. Continues to support operations in Iraq, 2003–present. Supported Tsunami Relief in India and Sri Lanka. Supported Pakistan earth quake relief. Supported Katrina Relief in United States. Most recently supported the evacuation of American Citizens from Lebanon.
World War II American Theater.
Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.
Panama, 1989–1990.
On an Air Force Blue globe, grid lines White, issuing from the top of a White scroll, two hands flesh tone, winged at the wrists White, bearing supplies or cargo Air Force golden Yellow; outlines and details Air Force Blue throughout. MOTTO: ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. Approved October 27, 1959 (K 11458).
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