31st Airlift Squadron

History

First activated as a ferrying unit during World War II. Served on the North Atlantic Ferrying Route until disbanded in 1943 and replaced by Station 19, North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command in a general reorganization of Air Transport Command.

Reactivated in 1952 as a C-124 Globemaster II heavy airlift squadron. Flew worldwide very long range strategic airlift missions for Military Air Transport Service (Later Military Airlift Command) on a global scale, inactivated in 1969 with the retirement of the C-124. Reactivated in 1989 as a C-5 Galaxy strategic airlift squadron when the C-5B began production. Flew global transport missions of equipment and personnel until being inactivated after the end of the Cold War.

Lineage

Constituted as the 31st Ferrying Squadron c. 9 July 1942

Activated on 25 July 1942Redesignated 31st Transport Squadron c. 24 March 1943

Disbanded on 1 September 1943

Reconstituted as the 31st Air Transport Squadron, Heavy on 20 June 1952

Activated on 20 Jul 1952Redesignated 31st Troop Carrier Squadron, Heavy on 1 June 1965Redesignated 31st Military Airlift Squadron on 8 January 1966Inactivated on 8 April 1969Reactivated on 1 October 1989Redesignated as: 31st Airlift Squadron on 1 Dec 1991Inactivated on 14 Jan 1994

Assignments

8th Ferrying Group (later 8th Transport Group), 25 July 1942 – 1 September 1943

1600th Air Transport Group, 20 Jul 1952

1607th Air Transport Wing, 1 July 1955

436th Military Airlift Wing, 8 January 1966 – 1 April 1969

436th Military Airlift Wing, 1 October 1989

436th Operations Group, 1 December 1991 – 14 January 1994

Stations

Presque Isle Army Air Field, Maine, 25 July 1942

Meeks Field, Iceland, August 1942 – 1 September 1943

Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, 20 Jul 1952

Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, 19 June 1955 – 1 April 1969

Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, 1 October 1989 – 14 January 1994

Aircraft

C-124 Globemaster II, 1952-1966, 1966-1969

C-5 Galaxy, 1989-1994