85th Military Airlift Squadron

85th Military Airlift Squadron

A Douglas C-124C Globemaster II 53-035 in MATS liverly
Active 1952-1967
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Strategic Airlift
Insignia
85th Military Airlift Squadronn emblem

The 85th Military Airlift Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the 60th Military Airlift Wing, Military Airlift Command, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California.

It was inactivated on 8 July 1967.

History

Established in 1952 and assuming the assets of the provisional Military Air Transport Service 1287th ATS, it was initially equipped with C-54s flying the transport route to Alaska. Re-equipped with C-124 Globemaster II intercontinental strategic transports in 1953.

Primary mission was to transport personnel, equipment and supplies to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and return to Great Falls. When MATS ended operations at Great Falls, was transferred to Travis AFB, California, continued Alaska support operations as well as flying airlift operations throughout the Pacific. It flew routine flights to Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and other points in Asia, including transport flights to Indochina and Karachi in Pakistan.

During the 1960s, resources were almost solely devoted to the transport of equipment and personnel to South Vietnam.

It was inactivated in 1967 with the phaseout of the C-124.

Lineage

Emblem of the 85th Air Transport Squadron
Organized on 20 July 1952, assuming personnel and equipment of 1287th Air Transport Squadron
Re-designated the 85th Military Airlift Squadron: 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 8 July 1967

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

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

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