50th Airlift Squadron | |
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50th Airlift Squadron |
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Active | 30 May 1942 - Present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Airlift |
Part of | Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 19th Airlift Wing |
Garrison/HQ | Little Rock Air Force Base |
Nickname | Red Devils |
Engagements | World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Just Cause Operations Desert Storm & Desert Shield Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
The 50th Airlift Squadron is one of four operational flying Air Mobility Command squadrons currently stationed at Little Rock AFB in Jacksonville, Arkansas. The "Fightin' 5-0 along with their sister squadrons, the 41 AS, 53 AS, and the 61 AS, are assigned to the 19th Operations Group.
The 50th Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS) began the Red Devils long association with being at war. In WWII they dropped troopers at the invasion of Sicily and the Battle of Normandy. They have been involved in major engagements around the world to include the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the current Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
The 50th AS is also known for humanitarian relief. During the 2004 Asian Tsunami crisis, the 50th sent several crews and tons of food rations to Thailand to help those in need. Following the horrors of Hurricane Katrina, 50th AS aircrews helped relocate survivors from the New Orleans, Louisiana and Biloxi, Mississippi areas to Little Rock, Arkansas. Humanitarian missions were flown in and out of Haiti following a major earthquake in December, 2010.
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