310th Airlift Squadron

310th Airlift Squadron
C-37 Gulfstream V as flown by the 310th Airlift Squadron
Active	1943–1945; 1949–1953; 1955–1956; 1963–1972; 1984–1999; 2001–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Airlift
Part of	Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 6th Air Mobility Wing 6th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	MacDill Air Force Base
Engagements	Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Operation Plunder Battle of Khe Sanh
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
310th Airlift Squadron emblem (Approved 7 July 1994)^[1]
310th Air Commando Squadron emblem (Approved 11 January 1965)

The 310th Airlift Squadron (310 AS) is part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It operates C-37 aircraft providing executive airlift for Combatant Commanders.

Mission

Provide Safe, Comfortable, and Reliable Worldwide Airlift for our Nation’s CONUS Based Unified Combatant Commanders.

History

315th Troop Carrier Group C-47s

Established in early 1942 as a 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 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.

Reactivated in 1949 as a reserve troop carrier squadron as part of Tactical Air Command. Equipped with 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 when the helicopter mission was transferred to the United States Army.

C-123K in 310th Air Commando Squadron markings

Reactivated again in 1963 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 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. Took over de Havilland Canada C-7 Caribou remote outpost resupply mission in 1972. Moved from Phan Rang to Tan Son Nhut in 1972 after base turned over to South Vietnamese. Remained in country supporting last combat forces in South Vietnam until inactivated in November 1972.

310th Airlift Squadron C-27A over Panama

The squadron flew airlift missions in South and Central America from 1985–1999, including support for the invasion of Panama, December 1989-January 1990, until its disestablishment in March 1999.

In 2001, the squadron was reactivated as part of the redesignated 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB, Florida, where it flies the C-37A Gulfstream V.

Operations and Decorations

Combat Operations. Airborne assaults on Normandy, the Netherlands, and Germany, as well as aerial transportation in ETO, during World War II. Awarded Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for service at Normandy, 5–6 June 1944. Helicopter support for atomic weapons tests (Operation RED WING) on the Bikini and Eniwetok atolls in the Marshall Islands, Feb-June 1956. Airdrop and airlift to combat forces in Southeast Asia, 1963–1972; also vegetation destruction and malaria control flights, August 1970-June 1972. Awarded Presidential Unit Citations (PUCs) for service in Vietnam, 21 January-12 May 1968; 1 April-30 June 1970. Airlift in South and Central America, 1985–1999, including the invasion of Panama (Operation JUST CAUSE), December 1989-January 1990. Airlifted combatant commanders, government and military official throughout the US and worldwide in support of Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), 2001 – present

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, 1969; Vietnam Winter/Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Normandy, 5–6 June 1944. Presidential Unit Citations: Vietnam, 21 January-12 May 1968; 1 April-30 June 1970. Navy Presidential Unit Citation: Khe Sanh, 20 January-31 March 1968. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: [8 July] 1963-30 April 1965; 30 June-9 July 1965; 15 October 1966 – 30 April 1967; 10 June-31 December 1967; 15 July 1968 – 30 June 1969; 1 January 1971 – 26 January 1972; 27 January-15 November 1972. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 December 1984 – 30 June 1986; 1 July 1986 – 30 June 1988; 1 July 1988 – 30 June 1989; 20 December 1989 – 14 February 1991; 11 February 1992 – 31 July 1993; 1 June 1996 – 31 May 1998. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 22 April 1966 – 1 January 1970; 1 January 1970 – 15 November 1972.

Lineage

Constituted as the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron on 25 May 1943

Activated on 1 October 1943

Inactivated on 31 July 1945

Redesignated 310th 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 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault, Rotary Wing on 16 November 1954

Activated on 8 February 1955

Inactivated on 7 September 1956

Redesignated: 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault and activated, on 24 May 1963 (not organized)

Organized on 8 July 1963

Redesignated 310th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier on 8 March 1965

Redesignated 310th Air Commando Squadron, Tactical Airlift on 1 August 1967

Redesignated 310th Special Operations Squadron on 1 August 1968

Redesignated 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 January 1970

Inactivated on 15 November 1972

Redesignated 310th Military Airlift Squadron, and activated, on 1 December 1984

Redesignated 310th Airlift Squadron on 1 June 1992

Inactivated on 31 March 1999

Activated on 1 January 2001^[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 464th Troop Carrier Wing, 8 February 1955 – 7 September 1956

Pacific Air Forces, 24 May 1963
315th Troop Carrier Group (later 315th Air Commando) Group), 8 July 1963
315th Air Commando Wing (later 315th Special Operations Wing, 315th Tactical Airlift Wing), 8 March 1966
377th Combat Support Group (later 377th Air Base Wing), 15 January - 15 November 1972
61st Military Airlift Group, 1 December 1984
24th Operations Group, 1 June 1992
Twenty-First Air Force, 1 October 1997 – 31 March 1999
6th Operations Group, 1 January 2001 – present^[1]

Stations

Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri, 1 October 1943
Alliance Army Air Field, Nebraska, 19 January 1944
Camp Mackall, North Carolina, 8 March-21 April 1944
RAF Spanhoe (AAF-493), England, 21 April 1944
Amiens Airfield (B-48), France, 6 April–May 1945
Waller Field, Trinidad, May-31 July 1945
Hensley Field, Texas, 27 June 1949
Donaldson Air Force Base, South Carolina, 9 August 1951 – 1 February 1953

Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina 8 February 1955 – 7 September 1956
Tan Son Nhut Airport, South Vietnam, 8 July 1963
Nha Trang Airport (later Air Base), South Vietnam, 29 June 1965
Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, 14 July 1967
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, 27 January-15 November 1972
Howard Air Force Base, Panama, 1 December 1984 – 31 March 1999
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, 1 January 2001 – present^[1]

Aircraft

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (1943–1945)
Curtiss C-46 Commando (1949–1952)
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (1952–1953)
Sikorsky H-19 (1955–1956)
Fairchild C-123B Provider (1963–1968)
Fairchild C-123K Provider (1967–1972)
Fairchild UC-123B Provider (1963–1978)
Fairchild UC-123K Provider (1968–1972)
de Havilland Canada C-7 Caribou (1972)
Boeing C-22 (1985–1991)

Lockheed C-130 Hercules (1984–1996)
Learjet C-21 (1989–1999)
Alenia C-27J Spartan (1991–1999)
Boeing CT-43 (1992–2001)
EC-135Y (1989-2003)
Gulfstream C-37 (2001 – present)^[1]

Operations

References

Notes

1 2 3 4 5 Robertson, Patsy (January 29, 2015). "Factsheet 310 Airlift Squadron (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved June 27, 2015.

Bibliography

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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.

External links

6th Operations Group Fact Sheet

United States Air Force

Leadership

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 Thirteenth Fourteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty-Second Twenty-Third Twenty-Fourth Twenty-Fifth

Wings (ANG) Groups (ANG) Squadrons (ANG) Civilian auxiliary: Civil Air Patrol

Personnel and
training

Uniforms and
equipment

History and
traditions

Category
Portal

Air Mobility Command (AMC)

Numbered Air Forces

Eighteenth Air Force

Command
Organizations

Bases

Groups

Wings

Air Base	87th 628th 319th

Air Mobility	6th 60th 305th 375th

Air Refueling (Tanker)	22d 92d

Airlift	19th 62d 89th 436th 437th

Air Mobility Operations	515th 521st

Contingency Response	621st

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

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

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