732d Airlift Squadron

World War II

Activated as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomb squadron; trained under Second Air Force. Completed training in early 1943; deploying to European Theater of Operations (ETO) assigned to VIII Bomber Command in England. Engaged in long-range strategic bombardment operations over Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany, March 1944-May 1945 attacking enemy military and industrial targets as part of the United States' air offensive against Nazi Germany. Most personnel demobilized in Europe after the German capitulation in May 1945; squadron inactivated as a paper unit in November.

Air Force reserve

Reactivated in 1947 as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress squadron in the reserves, however equipped with trainers until 1949 when equipped with Douglas B-26 Invader light bomber. Squadron activated in 1951 as a result of the Korean War; personnel and equipment assigned as replacements to units of Far East Air Forces, then inactivated as a paper unit.

The squadron trained in bombardment operations from, 1947–1951 and 1955–1957, reconnaissance operations from, 1952–1955, and troop carrier operations 1957-1966. After 1970, it participated in strategic airlift missions and exercises. In 1989 took part in Operation Just Cause in Panama by transporting U.S. troops.

Reactivated as a reserve transport squadron in 1952, being equipped with Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars. Activated during Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962; returned to reserve status after crisis was resolved; inactivated in 1966 with phaseout of C-119 from the inventory.

Activated in 1970 with long-range Lockheed C-141 Starlifters, performing intercontinental airlift of personnel and materiel. The unit upgraded to Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs in 2004 after retirement of its C-141s. Most recently, the unit participated in relief efforets after the 2010 Haiti earthquakes.

Lineage

Constituted 332d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942

Activated on 15 June 1942 Redesignated 332d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 20 August 1943 Inactivated on 15 December 1945

Redesignated 332d Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 13 May 1947

Activated in the reserve on 29 May 1947 Redesignated 332d Bombardment Squadron, Light on 26 June 1949 Ordered to active service on 10 March 1951 Inactivated on 20 March 1951

Redesignated 332d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 26 May 1952

Activated in the reserve on 14 June 1952 Redesignated: 332d Bombardment Squadron, Tactical on 18 May 1955 Redesignated: 732d Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 1 July 1957 Ordered to active service on 28 October 1962 Relieved from active duty on 28 November 1962 Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 January 1966

Redesignated 732d Military Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 19 March 1970

Activated on 1 April 1970 Redesignated: 732d Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 1 February 1992 Redesignated: 732d Airlift Squadron on 1 October 1994

Assignments

94th Bombardment Group, 15 June 1942 - 29 November 1945

94th Bombardment Group, 29 May 1947 - 20 March 1951

94th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (later 94th Bombardment Group, 94th Troop Carrier Group), 14 June 1952

94th Troop Carrier Wing, 14 April 1959

902d Troop Carrier Group, 11 February 1963 - 25 January 1966

903d Military Airlift Group, 1 April 1970

514th Military Airlift Wing (later 514th Airlift Wing), 1 July 1973

514th Operations Group, 1 August 1992 – present

Aircraft

Boeing [B-17 Flying Fortress (1942–1945)

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (1959–1965)

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter (1970–2004)

McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III (2004–present)