65th Airlift Squadron

The 65th Airlift Squadron is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii. It operates C-37 aircraft providing executive airlift in the Pacific theater.

65th Airlift Squadron
Squadron C-40 Clipper at Wellington Airport
Active	1942–1946; 1947–1966; 1992–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Airlift
Part of	Pacific Air Forces
Garrison/HQ	Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam
Engagements	Southwest Pacific Theater Korean War[1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
65th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 27 November 1992)[1]

Mission  

The squadron's mission is to provide global airlift to Commander, US Pacific Command and Commander, Pacific Air Forces, as well as distinguished visitor missions.^[1]

History

World War II

New Guinea. A bulldozer arrives for use on the Kaiapit strip, September 1943. The aircraft is C-47A 42-92034 of the 65th Troop carrier Squadron.

The 65th conducted aerial transportation and evacuation in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 26 July 1943-c. August 1945.^[1]

Reserve operation and Korean War mobilization

In Korea, the 65th carried out aerial evacuation and transportation operations between 9 May 1952 and 31 December 1952.^[1]

Reactivation and Berlin crisis mobilization

Pacific airlift

Beginning in 1992, flew specially configured C-135s, and later C-37 and C-40 aircraft, to provide global airlift to Commander, US Pacific Command and Commander, Pacific Air Forces, as well as distinguished visitor missions.^[1]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 65th Troop Carrier Squadron on 7 December 1942

Activated on 12 December 1942

Inactivated on 27 January 1946

• Activated in the reserve on 9 August 1947

Redesignated 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 27 June 1949

Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951

Inactivated on 1 January 1953

• Activated in the reserve on 1 January 1953

Ordered to active service on 28 Oct 1962

Relieved from active service on 28 Nov 1962

Discontinued and inactivated on 1 July 1966

• Redesignated 65th Airlift Squadron on 20 February 1992

Activated on 10 March 1992^[1]

Assignments

• 403d Troop Carrier Group, 12 Dec 1942
• Fifth Air Force, 26 July 1943
• 54th Troop Carrier Wing, 13 August 1943
• 433d Troop Carrier Group, 9 November 1943
• 403d Troop Carrier Group, 20 February 1945 – 27 January 1946
• 419th Troop Carrier Group, 9 August 1947
• 403 Troop Carrier Group, 27 June 1949 – 1 January 1953
• 403 Troop Carrier Group, 1 January 1953
• 442d Troop Carrier Group, 16 November 1957
• 403d Troop Carrier Wing, 14 April 1959
• 929th Troop Carrier Group, 11 January 1963 – 1 July 1966
• 15th Air Base Wing, 10 March 1992
• 15th Operations Group, 13 April 1992 – present^[1]

Stations

Bowman Field, Kentucky, 12 December 1942 Alliance Army Air Field, Nebraska, 18 December 1942 Pope Field, North Carolina, 3 May 1943 Baer Field Indiana, 19 June–14 July 1943 Port Moresby, New Guinea, 26 July 1943 (air echelon operated from Tsili Tsili, New Guinea after 18 September 1943) Nadzab Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 9 October 1943 (air echelon operated from Tsili Tsili, New Guinea until 31 October 1943 and from Tadji, Papua New Guinea, 3 May–2 June 1944) Biak, 18 October 1944 (air echelon operated from Hill Field, Mindoro, after 24 January 1945) Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, 27 February 1945 Dulag Airfield, Leyte, Philippines, 15 July 1945

Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines, 27 January 1946 Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, 9 August 1947 Portland International Airport, Oregon, 27 June 1949 – 29 March 1952 Ashiya Air Base, Japan, 14 April 1952 – 1 January 1953 Portland International Airport, Oregon, 1 January 1953 Paine Air Force Base, Washington, 15 April 1955 Davis Field, Oklahoma, 16 November 1957 – 1 July 1966 Hickam Air Force Base (later Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, 10 Mar 1992 – present)[1]

Aircraft

• Douglas C-47 Skytrain (1943–1945)
• Curtiss C-46 Commando (1944–1945, 1947–1952)
• Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (1952, 1953–1966)
• Boeing C-135 Stratolifter (1992–2003)
• Gulfstream C-37A Gulfstream V (2002–present)
• Boeing C-40B Clipper (2003–2019)^[1][2]