History 97th Airlift Squadron

1 history

1.1 world war ii
1.2 reserve operations , mobilization korean war
1.3 return reserve operations
1.4 campaigns , decorations

history
world war ii

activated in july 1943 troop carrier command douglas c-47 skytrain squadron. after training in united states, @ various bases, sent baer field, indiana final equipping aircraft, personnel , other equipment. deployed ix troop carrier command in february 1944 during build-up prior invasion of france.

during d-day invasion, squadron dropped paratroops of 101st airborne division in normandy, subsequently flying numerous missions bring in reinforcements , needed supplies. during airborne attack on netherlands (operation market garden, september 1944), squadron dropped paratroops, towed gliders, , flew resupply missions. later participated in invasion of southern france in august 1944. squadron supported 101st airborne division in battle of bulge towing gliders full of supplies near bastogne on 27 december 1944. in addition, units participated in air assault across rhine river in 1945 (operation varsity) , later flew numerous freight missions carry gasoline, food, medicine, , other supplies allied ground forces during western allied invasion of germany in april 1945 near wesel. squadron hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, , other supplies front lines , evacuated patients rear zone hospitals. transported displaced persons germany france , belgium after v-e day. remained in europe during summer of 1945, inactivating part of united states air forces in europe, october 1945.

reserve operations , mobilization korean war

reactivated in reserve curtiss c-46 commando troop carrier squadron in minneapolis, minnesota during 1947. federalized result of korean war in 1951, squadron personnel , aircraft being sent active-duty units fillers, inactivated administrative unit few days later.

return reserve operations

reactivated after korean war reserve fighter-bomber squadron in 1952 equipped north american f-51 mustangs, later upgraded lockheed f-80 shooting star jet aircraft. redesignated troop carrier squadron in . carried out theater transport operations , supported air force , army units troop carrier missions. activated during 1962 cuban missile crisis, carried army units south florida in preparation of possible invasion of cuba. returned army personnel home stations after situation normalized , returned reserve service.

the squadron flew airlift missions worldwide, including southeast asia during vietnam war , southwest asia during gulf war. has participated in training exercises, involving dropping or landing of airborne troops.

the squadron has conducted worldwide airlift including supporting contingency operations in panama, 1989–1990, , in southwest asia, 1990-1991.

campaigns , decorations

campaigns: world war ii: rome-arno; normandy; northern france; southern france; rhineland; ardennes-alsace; central europe. southwest asia: defense of saudi arabia; liberation , defense of kuwait.
decorations: distinguished unit citation: france, 6–7 june 1944. air force outstanding unit awards: 23 december 1964 – 22 january 1965; 26 january 1968 – 1 june 1969; 1 july 1969 – 30 june 1970; 1 july 1973-30 june 1974; 1 september 1982 – 31 august 1984; 1 august 1990 – 31 july 1992. republic of vietnam gallantry cross palm, 1 april 1966 – 28 january 1973.