| 53d Airlift Squadron | |
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53d Airlift Squadron emblem |
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| Active | 30 May 1942 - 31 July 1945 30 September 1946 - 8 July 1966 8 January 1972 - 30 April 1993 1 October 1993 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Airlift Airdrop |
| Part of | Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 19th Airlift Wing 19th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Little Rock Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Blackjacks |
| Motto | Primus Cum Plurimi (First with the Most) |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
The 53d Airlift Squadron (53 AS) is part of the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. It operates C-130 Hercules aircraft for airlift and airdrop operations.
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During World War II the 53d participated in airborne assaults on Sicily, Normandy, Holland, and Germany, and aerial transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment in the European Theater of Operations and Mediterranean Theater of Operations.
The squadron participated in the Berlin Airlift, 1948–1949, and conducted aerial transportation from the U.S. to Japan from August-December 1950, and between Japan and Korea from 13 December 1950-November 1952. It conducted worldwide airlift operations form 1953-1966, including resupply to Antarctica from 1957–1958, and missions to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The 53d again conducted worldwide airlift from 1972-1993 flying missions into Grenada, 23 October 1983 – 9 November 1983, during the invasion of Panama, 20 December 1989, and to Southwest Asia, August 1990-June 1991. The squadron was deactivated in 2008 and detached from AETC. It was reactivated in October 2008 as a part of the 19th Airlift Wing, 18th Air Force, AMC.
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