This article's lead sectionmay be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article.(December 2017)
The squadron was first activated at Camp Williams, Wisconsin in June 1942 as the 52d Transport Squadron as the 63d Transport Group expanded from three to four squadrons. A few weeks after it was organized, the unit became the 52d Troop Carrier Squadron. It was equipped with various civilian and military versions of the Douglas DC-3, including the Douglas C-47 Skytrain and the C-53 Skytrooper. The squadron acted as a Replacement Training Unit (RTU).[1] RTUs were oversized units that trained individual pilots or aircrews for service in combat theaters.[3]
The squadron moved its operations several times, arriving at Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri in January 1944. However, the Army Air Forces was finding that standard military units, based on relatively inflexible tables of organization were not proving well adapted to the training mission. Accordingly, it adopted a more functional system in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit.[4] The 52d was disbanded, and along with other units at Sedalia Army Air Field, was replaced by the 813th AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Training School, Troop Carrier).[1][5]
Continental Air Command
The squadron was reconstituted and reactivated at Floyd Bennett Field, New York in June 1949, when Continental Air Command reorganized its reserve units under the wing base organization system, which placed both operational and support organizations under a single wing. Under the 1949 reserve plan, the squadron was manned at only 25% of its authorized strength.[6] It trained with C-47s and a variety of trainer aircraft[1] under the guidance of the regular 2230th Air Force Reserve Training Center.
Along with all reserve combat units, the squadron was mobilized for the Korean War.[7] It was included in the second wave of reserve unit callups, entering active duty on 1 May 1951. Its personnel were used as fillers for other units[8] and the squadron was inactivated on 9 May.[1]
1953-1969 C-124 Globemaster II Operations
52d Troop Carrier Squadron, DEEP FREEZE II, McMurdo Station Antarctica 1956
Reactivated on 1 June 1988 for worldwide strategic airlift, 1988–1992 with the Lockheed C-141B Starlifter, including airdrop of troops and equipment in Operation Just Cause in Panama on 20 December 1989. Conducted strategic airlift of equipment and personnel supporting Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Farewell, 1990-1991. Redesignated as 52d Airlift Squadron on 1 January 1992. Inactivated on 30 September 1992. Reactivated on 1 May 1994 at Moody Air Force Base in the tactical airlift role with the C-130E Hercules, 1994–1997. Participated in numerous Joint Airlift/Air Transportability Training exercises with 82d Airborne Division at Pope AFB, NC. Deployed aircraft and personnel to Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia and Seeb AB, Oman, in support of Operation Southern Watch, 1996 - 1997. Inactivated on 16 September 1997.[1]
In addition to intra-theater tactical airlift, the 52d was co-assigned specialized aerial firefighting missions with the MAFFS Air Expeditionary Group (AEG), 302d Airlift Wing and 731st Airlift Squadron using Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems. While six separate MAFFS II systems are utilized by three other participating MAFFS AEG units (146th Airlift Wing, 152nd Airlift Wing, 153rd Airlift Wing), 302d Airlift Wing aircraft, crews and MAFFS II systems are identified by the blaze-orange MAFFS 2 and MAFFS 5 aircraft fuselage and tail markings. The Aero Union designed MAFFS II system can discharge its load of 3,000 gallons weighing 27,000 pounds in less than five seconds or can make incremental drops for multiple passes. The retardant can cover an area one-quarter of a mile long and 100 feet wide. After the aircraft discharges its Phos-Chek retardant or water load, it can be rapidly refilled at tanker ground bases in less than twelve minutes for expedited wildfire re-attack.[14] Select members of the 52d conducted MAFFS aerial firefighting missions throughout California, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah and Arizona supporting the U.S. Forest Service and National Interagency Fire Center 2011 - 2015.[15]
Due to FY15 USAF Budget[16] requirements and associated Force Structure changes,[17] on 30 September 2015 the 52d Airlift Squadron was formally inactivated with remaining squadron members re-assigned back to the 19th Airlift Wing.
Lineage
Constituted as the 52d Transport Squadron on 30 May 1942
Activated on 15 June 1942
Redesignated 52d Troop Carrier Squadron on 4 July 1942
Disbanded on 14 April 1944
Reconstituted and redesignated 52d 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 9 May 1951
Redesignated 52d Troop Carrier Squadron, Heavy on 19 March 1953
Activated on 20 June 1953
Redesignated as: 52d Military Airlift Squadron on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 8 February 1969
Activated on 1 June 1988
Redesignated as 52d Airlift Squadron on 1 January 1992
↑ On a white disc, bordered green, a kangaroo proper, wearing black boxing gloves on forepaws, carrying three young kangaroos in pouch, wearing green helmets and carrying a black gun with fixed bayonet, revolver, and "tommy" gun respectively from right to left. (Approved, 14 May 1943) Maurer, p. 220
Goss, William A. (1955). "The Organization and its Responsibilities, Chapter 2 The AAF". In Craven, Wesley F.; Cate, James L. (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II(PDF). Vol.VI, Men & Planes. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN48003657. OCLC704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
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.
United States 
United States Air Force 
