74th Air Refueling Squadron

Overview

The 74th ARS operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.

History

Established in early 1943 as a C-47 Skytrain transport squadron under First Air Force, later trained under I Troop Carrier Command in the eastern United States. Deployed to England in late 1943, being assigned to Ninth Air Force in England, IX Troop Carrier Command to participate in the buildup of forces prior to the Allied landings in France during D-Day in June 1944.

Engaged in combat operations by dropping paratroops into Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944) and releasing gliders with reinforcements on the following day. The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French citation for these missions.

After the Normandy invasion the squadron ferried supplies in the United Kingdom. The squadron also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals. It dropped paratroops near Nijmegen and towed gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne attack on the Netherlands. In December, it participated in the Battle of the Bulge by releasing gliders with supplies for the 101st Airborne Division near Bastogne.

Moved to France in early 1945, and participated in the Western Allied invasion of Germany, participating in the air assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, each aircraft towed two gliders with troops of the 17th Airborne Division and released them near Wesel.

Returned to the United States in August, 1945, becoming a domestic troop carrier squadron for Continental Air Forces, inactivated July 1946.

The squadron trained in troop carrier duties from, 1947-1951. It has performed air refueling missions worldwide since 1992. Since late 1993 the 74th periodically deployed to Italy and other western European locations in support of NATO operations in the Balkans.

Operations and Decorations

Combat Operations. Airborne assaults on Normandy, the Netherlands, and Germany; relief of Bastogne; aerial transportation of passengers and cargo in ETO during World War II. Performed air refueling missions worldwide since 1992. Since late 1993, periodically deployed to Italy and other western European location in support of NATO operations in the Balkans.

Campaigns. World War II: Egypt-Libya; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: France, [6-7] Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Aug 1992 – 31 Aug 1993; 1 Sep 1994-31 Aug 1996. French Croix de Guerre with Palm: 6-7 Jun 1944; 20-28 Aug 1944. French Fourragere.

Lineage

Constituted 74th Troop Carrier Squadron on 30 Jan 1943

Activated on 9 Feb 1943 Inactivated on 31 Jul 1946

Activated in the Reserve on 15 Mar 1947

Re-designated: 74th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 1 Jul 1949 Ordered to Active Service on 1 May 1951 Inactivated on 2 May 1951

Re-designated: 74th Air Refueling Squadron, and activated in the Reserve, on 1 Aug 1992.

Assignments

434th Troop Carrier Group, 9 Feb 1943 – 31 Jul 1946; 15 Mar 1947-2 May 1951

434th Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992 – present

Stations

Alliance Army Air Field, Nebraska, 9 Feb 1943

Baer Field, Indiana, 4-28 Sep 1943

RAF Fulbeck (AAF-488), England, Oct 1943

RAF Welford (AAF-474), England, Nov 1943

RAF Fulbeck (AAF-488), England, 10 Jan 1944

RAF Aldermaston (AAF-467), England, 3 Mar 1944

Mourmelon-le-Grand Airfield (A-80), France, Feb-Jun 1945

Baer Field, Indiana, 5 Aug 1945

Alliance Army Air Field, Nebraska, 15 Sep 1945

George Army Airfield, Illinois, 11 Oct 1945

Greenville Air Force Base, South Carolina, 2 Feb-31 Jul 1946

Stout Army Air Field, Indiana, 15 Mar 1947

Atterbury AFB, Indiana, 1 Jul 1949 – 2 May 1951

Grissom AFB (later ARB), Indiana, 1 Aug 1992 – present