130th Airlift Squadron

130th Airlift Squadron
130th Airlift Squadron
	C-130H Hercules (s/n 88-1307) from the 130th Airlift Squadron, 130th Airlift Group, West Virginia Air National Guard flies over the United Arab Emirates during a troop-carrying mission in support of operation Desert Storm, 1991.
Active	1 October 1955 – Present
Country	United States
Allegiance	West Virginia
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Squadron
Role	Airlift
Part of	West Virginia Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Charleston Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia
Patron	"Mountaineers in Green"
Tail Code	Blue tail stripe, "Charlie West" in yellow letters with state map
Insignia
130th Airlift Squadron

Last updated June 05, 2024

The 130th Airlift Squadron (130 AS) is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard 130th Airlift Wing located at Charleston Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. 130th is equipped with the C-130J Super Hercules.

History

The West Virginia Air National Guard was authorized to expand to two squadrons in 1955 by the National Guard Bureau. On 1 October, the 130th Troop Carrier Squadron was organized at Kanawha Airport, Charleston and was extended federal recognition. The squadron was assigned to Tactical Air Command, which placed it under its Eighteenth Air Force. It was equipped with Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibians and C-46 Commando troop transports. The mission of the 130th TCS was primarily Air Commando special operations missions.

On 1 July 1960 the 130th was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 130th Air Commando Group was established by the National Guard Bureau. The 130th was re-designated as an Air Commando squadron and became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the group headquarters, 130th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 130th Combat Support Squadron, and the 130th USAF Dispensary. Aircraft assigned to the new group were upgraded to C-119 Flying Boxcars and U-10D Super Courier combat observation aircraft.

Continuing its mission and training with the active duty 1st Air Commando Group in northern Florida, in 1968 HQ USAF directed all Air Commando organizations be re-designated as "Special Operations" units to be more descriptive of their mission. Through the 1960s and into the 1970s the 130th participated in many international missions and received recognition for its performance. This included the 130th being awarded the Spaatz Trophy four times as the "Outstanding Flying Unit in the Country " and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award five times.

In 1975 the Flying Boxcars were retired, the 130th received the far more capable C-130E Hercules transport, and the unit was redesignated as a "Tactical Airlift" unit. The transition to the C-130 moved the gaining organization from Tactical Air Command to Military Airlift Command with the primary mission of the Group becoming tactical airlift, with the Special Operations mission becoming secondary with the end of the Vietnam War.

A model upgrade to the C-130H in 1986 was completed and in August and September 1990, the 130th TAG commanded a "volunteer" package of 16 C-130s and support personnel from WV, TN, TX, MO and DE ANG units in support of Operation Desert Shield. October 1990 saw the Presidential Call of selected members from the 130th Tactical Airlift Squadron combining with the 181st Tactical Airlift Squadron, TX ANG to form the functional staff of the 1630th Tactical Airlift Squadron (Provisional) at Al Ain International Airport, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. In December 1990, the 130th Tactical Clinic and the 130th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron had selective members activated. They deployed to RAF Bicester, UK and Dover AFB, Delaware respectively, subsequent to Operation Desert Storm. All members were released from active duty by June 1991. The members of the group located in the United Arab Emirates received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor.

In April 1992, some unit members and aircraft deployed to Rhein-Main AB, Germany in support of the Bosnian Airlift called "Operation Provide Promise." The 130th has deployed several times since this date for "Provide Promise," the latest being from 21 September 1998 to 29 October 1998. In August 1993, one aircraft and 2 crews were sent to Operation "Operation Support Hope" for 30 days in Rwanda, Africa.

Organizationally, the 130th was expanded to a wing in 1995. From January to March 1996, the unit deployed two aircraft, six crews and maintenance support to Daharan, Saudi Arabia, in support of Operation Southern Watch.

As of mid-2000, the 130th AW had recently sent several aircraft and support personnel to Panama for Coronet Oak. While there, wing personnel were heavily involved in Hurricane Mitch relief to Honduras and Nicaragua.

Lineage

Designated 130th Troop Carrier Squadron, and allotted to West Virginia ANG, 1955

Extended federal recognition on 1 October 1955

Re-designated: 130th Air Commando Squadron, 1 July 1960

Re-designated: 130th Special Operations Squadron, 1 July 1968

Re-designated: 130th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 1 July 1975

Re-designated: 130th Airlift Squadron, 16 March 1992

Assignments

West Virginia Air National Guard, 1 October 1955

Gained by: Eighteenth Air Force, Tactical Air Command

130th Air Commando Group, 1 July 1960
130th Special Operations Group, 1 July 1968
130th Tactical Airlift Group, 1 July 1975

Elements attached to: 1630th Tactical Airlift Squadron (Provisional), October 1990 – June 1991

130th Airlift Group, 16 March 1992
130th Operations Group, 1 October 1995 – Present

Stations

Kanawha (Later Yeager) Airport, Charleston, West Virginia, 1 October 1955

Elements operated from: Al Ain International Airport, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, October 1990 – June 1991

Designated: Charleston Air National Guard Base, 1991-Present

Aircraft

HU-16 Albatross, 1955-1960
C-46 Commando, 1955-1960
C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1960-1975

U-10D Super Courier, 1960-1975
C-130E Hercules, 1975-1986
C-130H Hercules, 1986–2021
C-130J Super Hercules, 2021-Present

Related Research Articles

The 129th Rescue Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Moffett Federal Airfield in Sunnyvale, California. The wing is equipped with the HC-130J Combat King II and the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. If activated to federal service, the wing is assigned to the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC).

The West Virginia Air National Guard (WV ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of West Virginia, United States of America. It is, along with the West Virginia Army National Guard, an element of the West Virginia National Guard, and is also closely associated with the United States Air Force.

The 167th Airlift Wing is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard, stationed at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, Martinsburg, West Virginia. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 139th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Missouri Air National Guard, stationed at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 121st Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard, stationed at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 118th Wing is a unit of the Tennessee Air National Guard, stationed at Joint Base Berry Field, formerly Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tennessee. The 118th is equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper. If activated to federal service, it is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

The 136th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Texas Air National Guard, stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC).

The 130th Airlift Wing is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard, stationed at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 179th Cyberspace Wing is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard, stationed at Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Mansfield, Ohio. If activated to federal service with the United States Air Force, the Wing is gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC).

The 143d Airlift Wing is a unit of the Rhode Island Air National Guard, stationed at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. Its mission is to transport personnel and equipment, or, when activated for State Active Duty, to protect life, property and public safety.

The 135th Airlift Group is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force, allotted to the Maryland Air National Guard. At the time of its inactivation, it was assigned to the 175th Wing, stationed at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland. The unit cased its colors 27 Sep 2013 and was inactivated 30 Sep 2013.

The 146th Airlift Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Oxnard, California. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 166th Airlift Wing of the Delaware Air National Guard (DANG) is stationed at New Castle Air National Guard Base, Delaware. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 182d Airlift Wing is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, stationed at Peoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 135th Airlift Squadron was a unit of the United States Air Force, allotted to the Maryland Air National Guard 135th Airlift Group, located at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland. The 135th was active as a flying organization from 10 September 1955 to 30 September 2013. After 2013, it remained active but without assigned personnel or aircraft. In 2014, the Maryland Air National Guard requested the unit be reorganized and redesignated as the 135th Intelligence Squadron, and this request was approved by the National Guard Bureau effective 1 May 2016.

The 143rd Airlift Squadron is a unit of the 143rd Airlift Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guard located at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island. The 143rd is equipped with the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules.

The 167th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard 167th Airlift Wing located at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, Martinsburg, West Virginia. It is equipped with the C-17 Globemaster III, heavy airlifter.

The 129th Rescue Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard 129th Rescue Wing located at Moffett Federal Airfield, Mountain View, California. The 129th is equipped with the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. If activated to federal service, the 129 RQS is gained within the United States Air Force by the Air Combat Command (ACC).

The 193rd Special Operations Squadron is a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 193rd Special Operations Wing located at Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, Middletown, Pennsylvania, The 193rd is equipped with the EC-130J Commando Solo.

The 145th Airlift Wing is a unit of the North Carolina Air National Guard. It is assigned to Charlotte Air National Guard Base, North Carolina and is equipped with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. If activated to federal service in the United States Air Force, the 145th is gained by Air Mobility Command.

References

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

130th Airlift Wing website history
130th Airlift Wing@globalsecurity.org
Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0

External links

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.