1st Airlift Squadron

Mission

Provides global Special Air Mission (SAM) airlift, logistics, aerial port and communications for the President, Vice President, Combat Commanders, senior leaders and the global mobility system as tasked by the White House, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Air Mobility Command.

History

Established under Air Transport Command in 1944 to provide aerial transportation in China-Burma-India Theater from May 1944–May 1945 and in Western Pacific from c. September–December 1945. The unit was equipped first with the Curtiss C-46 Commando, and then converted to the Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express in 1944.

Re-established under Military Air Transport Service in November 1953, providing airlift of personnel and equipment initially flying Douglas C-54 Skymasters. Converted to long range Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIs and provided long range heavy strategic transport on a global scale. In 1960 converted to the Douglas C-133 Cargomaster and provided very heavy strategic airlift until the end of the C-133's service in 1971.

Reactivated in 1977 at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland and assigned to the Special Air Mission supporting transportation for the President and other high-ranking dignitaries of US and foreign governments, and Beechcraft C-12 Huron training for personnel from all branches of the military in 1977. At Andrews, has operated a variety of aircraft including the McDonnell Douglas VC-9 Skytrain II, C-12, Boeing VC-135 Stratolifter, Lockheed VC-140 JetStar, Boeing VC-137 and Gulfstream C-20. These aircraft were used to transport VIPs throughout the United States and around the world.

It also transported personnel to Southwest Asia from August 1990–April 1991 during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

Lineage

Constituted as the 1st Air Transport Squadron (Mobile) on 13 March 1944

Activated on 23 March 1944 Inactivated on 25 March 1946 Disbanded on 8 October 1948

Reconstituted as the 1st Air Transport Squadron, Medium on 1 September 1953

Activated on 18 November 1953 Redesignated 1st Air Transport Squadron, Heavy on 8 September 1954 Redesignated 1st Military Airlift Squadron on 8 January 1966 Inactivated on 30 June 1971

Activated on 12 September 1977

Redesignated 1st Airlift Squadron on 12 July 1991

Assignments

Caribbean Wing, Air Transport Command, 23 March 1944

India-China Wing, Air Transport Command (later India-China Division, Air Transport Command, c. 2 May 1944 (attached to XX Bomber Command after 17 May 1944

XX Bomber Command, 21 November 1944 (attached to 22d Air Depot Group, November - December 1944)

United States Army Air Forces, Pacific Ocean Areas (later US Army Strategic Air Forces), c. 20 June 1945

Eighth Air Force, 31 July 1945

Okinawa Air Depot, 10 September 1945

Far East Air Service Command, 9 January 1946

IV Air Service Area Command, 15 January - 25 March 1946

1607th Air Base Group, 18 November 1953

1607th Air Transport Group, 1 January 1954

1607th Air Transport Wing, 18 January 1963

436th Military Airlift Wing, 8 January 1966 - 30 June 1971

89th Military Airlift Wing (later 89 Military Airlift Group, 89 Military Airlift Wing), 12 September 1977

89th Operations Group, 12 July 1991 – present

Stations

Homestead Army Air Field, Florida, 23 March - 21 April 1944

Kalaikunda Airfield, India, 3 May 1944

Air echelon operated from Kharagpur Airfield, India, 7 May - 4 August 1945

Naha Air Base, Okinawa, 20 June 1945 - 25 March 1946

Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, 18 November 1953 - 30 June 1971

Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, 12 Sept 1977–Present