758th Airlift Squadron

758th Airlift Squadron

758th Airlift Squadron Patch
Active 19 May 1943 - 28 August 1945
12 July 1947 - 27 June 1949
16 November 1957 - Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Airlift
Part of Air Force Reserve Command
22nd Air Force
911th Airlift Wing
911th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ Pittsburgh International Airport
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Emblem of the World War II 758th Bombardment Squadron

The 758th Airlift Squadron (758 AS) is part of the 911th Airlift Wing at the Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania. It operates the C-130H2 version of the C-130 Hercules aircraft, providing global tactical airlfit.

Mission

To organize, recruit, and train Air Force Reserve personnel to provide airlift of airborne forces, their equipment and supplies, and delivery of these forces and materials by airdrop, landing, or cargo extraction systems.

History

Activated as a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment squadron in July 1943; assigned to II Bomber Command for training. Primarily trained in Utah and Arizona received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in September 1943. Moved to Massachusetts where the group flew long-range convoy escort missions over the Newfoundland Banks to Long Island Sound, November-December 1943 while station in Italy was being constructed.

Deployed to Southern Italy in January 1944; entered combat in February, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives. Also carried out some support and interdiction operations. Struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations in August 1944 to aid the invasion of Southern France. Hit communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army and American Fifth Army in northern Italy.

Returned to the United States in August 1945, being programmed for deployment to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) as a B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy Bombardment Squadron. Many combat veterans of MTO demobilized upon arrival in the United States, and a small cadre of personnel reformed at Sioux Falls Army Airfield, South Dakota at the end of August. Japanese Capitulation in August led to inactivation of unit and assigned personnel being reassigned to other group squadrons or demobilized.

Reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1947 with B-29s. Trained at Long Beach Army Air Field, California then inactivating.

It has provided air transportation for airborne forces and worldwide airlift operations since 1957.

Lineage

Activated on 1 Jul 1943
Redesignated 758th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy c. Sep 1944
Inactivated on 28 Aug 1945
Activated in the Reserve on 12 Jul 1947
Activated in the Reserve on 16 Nov 1957
Redesignated: 758th Military Airlift Squadron on 1 Jan 1967
Redesignated: 758th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 Mar 1972
Redesignated: 758th Airlift Squadron on 1 Feb 1992.

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft operated

Operations

References

External links

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