309th Airlift Squadron

309th Airlift Squadron
C-37A Gulfstream V at Stuttgart Airport
Active	1943–1945; 1949–1953; 1954–1956; 1963–1970; 2002–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Airlift
Part of	United States Air Forces in Europe
Garrison/HQ	Chièvres Air Base
Motto(s)	Modus Perfectus Latin The Perfect Way (2007-present) Primi Sumus (Latin) We are First (1966-1970)
Engagements	Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Operation Plunder Vietnam War
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
309th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 21 May 2007)[1]
309th Air Commando Sq emblem (approved 14 March 1966)[1]

The 309th Airlift Squadron is part of the 86th Airlift Wing at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. It operates a single C-37 aircraft providing executive airlfit for NATO.^[2]

History

World War II

443d Troop Carrier Group C-47

Established in early 1942 as a Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport squadron under First Air Force, later trained under I Troop Carrier Command in the eastern United States. Deployed to England in December 1942, being assigned to VIII Air Support Command, Eighth Air Force to provide transport and resupply support to the buildup of the heavy bomber force in England.

Was detached to Twelfth Air Force in Algeria in May 1943 to provide air resupply and transport during the North African Campaign in Algeria and Tunisia. Also performed combat casualty evacuation of wounded personnel to rear areas. Remained under jurisdiction of VIII ASC while in North Africa, providing transport between England and North Africa from its base in Algeria. Returned to England in early 1944 to participate in the buildup of forces prior to the Allied landings in France during D-Day in June 1944.

Engaged in combat operations by dropping paratroops into Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944) and releasing gliders with reinforcements on the following day. The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French citation for these missions.

After the Normandy invasion the squadron ferried supplies in the United Kingdom. The squadron also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals. It dropped paratroops near Nijmegen and towed gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne attack on the Netherlands. In December, it participated in the Battle of the Bulge by releasing gliders with supplies for the 101st Airborne Division near Bastogne.

Moved to Belgium in early 1945, and participated in the Western Allied invasion of Germany, participating in the air assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, each aircraft towed two gliders with troops of the 17th Airborne Division and released them near Wesel.

In late May 1945, after V-E Day, the squadron was moved to Waller Field, Trinidad and attached to Air Transport Command. From Trinidad, the squadron ferried returning military personnel to Morrison Field, Florida, where they were sent on to other bases or prepared for separation after the war. Inactivated at the end of July 1945.

Reserve troop carrier

Reactivated in 1949 as a reserve troop carrier squadron as part of Tactical Air Command. Equipped with Curtiss C-46 Commandoes. activated during the Korean War and became a training unit for crews flying Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar assault transports in South Korea. Inactivated in 1953 after federalized activation period ended. Reactivated a year later operating variety of rotary wing helicopters. Provided helicopter support for atomic weapons tests on Bikini in the Eniwetok Atoll, February–June 1956. Inactivated and replaced by the 21st Helicopter Squadron, which took over its personnel and Piasecki H-21 Workhorse helicopters.^[1][3]

Vietnam War

Squadron C-123K during the Cambodian Campaign

Reactivated again in 1963 at Pope AFB as a Fairchild C-123 Provider combat resupply squadron, used in remote combat airfield resupply and casualty evacuation of ground forces. Deployed to South Vietnam after training and operated under 2d Air Division, Pacific Air Forces to support advisory units, primarily in Mule Train combat cargo missions in South Vietnam to support special forces (Air Commandos) in the early stages of US Involvement in the Vietnam War. Re-designated an Air Commando squadron in 1965 under Seventh Air Force, engaged in special operations and tactical airlift during 1965–1970 based at Phan Rang AB flying intratheater combat cargo and troop carrier missions. Inactivated as part of the Vietnamization withdrawal process in 1970.

Special airlift

Reactivated in 2002 as a support transport squadron providing executive airlift support for Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and Commander United States Air Forces in Europe (COMUSAFE).

Operations and Decorations

• Combat Operations. Aerial transportation in European Theater of Operations (ETO) of materiel, equipment, and troops, including airborne assaults on Normandy, the Netherlands, and Germany, 6 Jun 1944 – May 1945. Flew intratheater combat cargo and troop carrier missions in Southeast Asia, 1 Jul 1963 – 26 Jun 1970.
• Campaigns. World War II: Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe. Vietnam: Vietnam Advisory; Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall; Vietnam Winter-Spring; Sanctuary Counteroffensive.
• Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: France [6] Jun 1944. Presidential Unit Citations: Southeast Asia, 21 Jan-12 May 1968; Southeast Asia, 1 Apr-30 Jun 1970. Navy Presidential Unit Citation: Vietnam, 20 Jan-31 Mar 1968. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 1 May 1963 – 30 Apr 1965; 30 Jun-9 Jul 1965; 15 Oct 1966 – 30 Apr 1967; 10 Jun-31 Dec 1967; 15 Jul 1968 – 30 Jun 1969; 15 Jan 2004 – 31 Oct 2005. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [12 Mar]-31 Dec 2002; 1 Nov 2005 – 31 Dec 2006; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2007. Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 29 Jun 1966 – 31 Jul 1970.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 309th Troop Carrier Squadron on 25 May 1943

Activated on 1 October 1943

Inactivated on 31 July 1945

• Redesignated 309th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 10 May 1949

Activated in the reserve on 27 June 1949

Ordered to active service on 1 May 1951

Inactivated on 1 February 1953

• Redesignated 309th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault, Rotary Wing on 12 August 1954

Activated on 8 October 1954

Inactivated on 9 July 1956

• Redesignated 309th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault and activated on 18 March 1963 (not organized)

Organized on 1 April 1963

Redesignated 309th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier on 8 March 1965

Redesignated 309th Air Commando Squadron, Tactical Airlift on 1 August 1967

Redesignated 309th Special Operations Squadron on 1 August 1968

Redesignated 309th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 January 1970

Inactivated on 31 July 1970

• Redesignated 309th Airlift Squadron on 10 February 2002

Activated on 12 March 2002^[1]

Assignments

• 443d Troop Carrier Group, 1 October 1943
• I Troop Carrier Command, 15 February 1944
• Eighth Air Force, 21 April 1944
• 315th Troop Carrier Group, 26 April 1944 – 31 July 1945
• 443d Troop Carrier Group, 27 June 1949 – 1 February 1953
• Eighteenth Air Force (attached to 63d Troop Carrier Wing), 8 October 1954 – 9 July 1956
• Tactical Air Command, 18 March 1963 (not organized)
• Ninth Air Force (attached to 464th Troop Carrier Wing), 1 April 1963
• Pacific Air Forces, June 1963
• 315th Troop Carrier Group (later 315th Air Commando Group), 1 July 1963
• 315th Air Commando Wing (later 315th Special Operations Wing, 315th Tactical Airlift Wing), 8 March 1966 – 31 July 1970
• 86th Operations Group, 12 March 2002 – present^[1]

Stations

Aircraft

• Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper (1943)
• Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (1943–1944)
• Douglas C-47 Skytrain (1944–1945)
• Consolidated B-24 Liberator (1944–1945)
• Curtiss C-46 Commando (1945, 1951–1952)
• Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (1952–1953)
• Sikorsky H-19 (1954–1956)
• Piasecki H-21 (1956)
• Fairchild C-123 Provider (1963–1970)
• Gulfstream C-37A Gulfstream V (2002 – present)^[1]

References

Notes

1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robertson, Patsy (April 1, 2014). "Factsheet 309 Airlift Squadron (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2017. 
2. ↑ http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104570/c-37a/
3. ↑ "Factsheet 21 Special Operations Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. January 7, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2016. 

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved December 17, 2016. 
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved December 17, 2016. 
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved December 17, 2016. 

United States Air Force
Leadership	Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Chief of Staff Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 4-star generals House Armed Services Committee House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Subcommittee on Airland Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
Structure	Commands Reserve Air National Guard Field Operating Agencies Installations Direct Reporting Units District of Washington Operational Test and Evaluation Center USAF Academy Major Commands Air Combat Air Education and Training Air Mobility Global Strike Materiel Reserve Space Special Operations Europe & Africa Pacific Numbered Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Fourteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty-Second Twenty-Fourth Twenty-Fifth Air Forces Central Wings ANG Groups ANG Squadrons ANG Security forces Civilian auxiliary: Civil Air Patrol
Personnel and training	Airmen Rank Officers Enlisted Specialty Code Aeronautical ratings Judge Advocate General's Corps RED HORSE Medical Service Chief of Chaplains Chief Scientist Training: USAF Academy Officer Training School Reserve Officer Training Corps Basic Training Airman Leadership School SERE Fitness Assessment
Uniforms and equipment	Awards and decorations Badges Equipment Uniforms
History and traditions	History Army Air Service / Corps / Forces "The U.S. Air Force" Air Force Band The Airmen of Note Tops In Blue Airman's Creed Core Values Flag Symbol Memorial National Museum Air Force One Honor Guard Thunderbirds Service numbers
Category Portal

USAAF Ninth Air Force in World War II
Stations	Palestine (Mand) Lydda Muqueibile Ramat David St Jean Egypt Abu Sueir Ismailia El Amiriya Daba Deversoir Fayid Kabrit * Landing Ground 174 Payne Sidi Haneish Libya Baheira Belandah Benina Castel Benito Berca Darragh El Adem El Assa Gambut Hamraiet Lete Martuba Tmed El Chel Tobruk Tripoli Sidi Azeiz Tunisia Ben Gardane Bou Grara Chekira Hani Hazbub Hergla El Djem El Haouaria Kairouan Medenine Menzel Heurr Sfax Soltane United Kingdom Aldermaston Andover Andrews Field Ashford Balderton Barkston Heath Beaulieu Birch Bisterne Boreham Bottesford Boxted Charmy Down Chalgrove Chilbolton Chipping Ongar Christchurch Cottesmore Earls Colne Exeter Folkingham Fulbeck Gosfield Great Dunmow Greenham Common Grove High Halden Headcorn Holmsley South Hurn Ibsley Kingsnorth Langar Lashenden Little Walden Lymington Matching Membury Merryfield Middle Wallop North Witham Ramsbury Raydon Rivenhall Saltby Scorton Staplehurst Spanhoe Stansted Stoney Cross Thruxton Upottery Warmwell Welford Weston Zoyland Wethersfield Winkton Woodchurch Wormingford Europe Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany too numerous.
Units	Commands 9th Air Division (was IX Bomber Command) IX Air Defense IX Fighter IX Tactical Air IX Troop Carrier XIX Tactical Air XXIX Tactical Air Wings Bombardment 97th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 99th Bombardment Fighter 8th Fighter 9th Fighter 70th Fighter 71st Fighter 84th Fighter 100th Fighter 303d Fighter Troop carrier 50th Troop Carrier 52d Troop Carrier 53d Troop Carrier Groups Bombardment 12th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 322d Bombardment 323d Bombardment 340th Bombardment 344th Bombardment 376th Bombardment 386th Bombardment 387th Bombardment 391st Bombardment 394th Bombardment 397th Bombardment 409th Bombardment 410th Bombardment 416th Bombardment Fighter 36th Fighter 48th Fighter 50th Fighter 57th Fighter 79th Fighter 324th Fighter 354th Fighter 358th Fighter 365th Fighter 362d Fighter 363d Fighter 366th Fighter 367th Fighter 368th Fighter 370th Fighter 371st Fighter 373d Fighter 404th Fighter 405th Fighter 406th Fighter 474th Fighter Troop carrier 61st Troop Carrier 64th Troop Carrier 313th Troop Carrier 314th Troop Carrier 315th Troop Carrier 316th Troop Carrier 349th Troop Carrier 434th Troop Carrier 435th Troop Carrier 436th Troop Carrier 437th Troop Carrier 438th Troop Carrier 439th Troop Carrier 440th Troop Carrier 441st Troop Carrier 442d Troop Carrier IX Troop Carrier Pathfinder (Provisional) Reconnaissance 10th Reconnaissance 67th Reconnaissance 69th Reconnaissance Squadrons Liaison 14th Liaison 47th Liaison Night fighter 422d Night Fighter 425th Night Fighter
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth