The mission of the 73rd Airlift Squadron is to recruit and train Air Force Reserve pilots, utilizing aircraft and facilities of the 375th Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. This training environment enables the 73rd AS to participate in the daily aeromedical airlift mission of the 375th AW, transporting Department of Defense patients, their dependents and attendants to locations in the northern hemisphere. The pilots of the 73rd AS operate under the Air Force Reserve Associate program, whereby they fly in unison with their active duty counterparts.

ORGANIZATION

The 73rd AS is assigned to the 932nd Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The squadron is organized into four functional areas. An Executive Office, Operations, Standardization Evaluation, and Safety. These four areas are arranged into subordinate areas each responsible to their respective office area. The four functional areas report directly to the 73rd AS commander. An orderly room function operates in conjunction with the commander's office.

AIRCRAFT

The pilots of the 73rd AS utilize the C-9A Nightingale aircraft of their active duty wing, the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

UNIT HISTORY

Aircrews of the 73rd AS represent over 30% of the daily scheduled missions departing Scott AFB.

l994 - The 73rd Aeromedical Airlift Squadron (Associate) was redesignated the 73rd Airlift Squadron.

PAST HIGHLIGHTS

l973 - Aircrew members participated in Operation HOMECOMING, the project which airlifted former Vietnam prisoners of war to their destinations within the United States.

l990 - The 73rd AAS received the highest possible on its Aircrew Standardization Evaluation Team visit.l990 - The squadron participated in Operation JUST CAUSE, flying patients stateside.

l991 - In February the squadron was mobilized for Operation DESERT STORM, transporting patients throughout the continental United States.

1993-Present - In June 1993, the advent of Operation PHOENIX PACE thrust reservists into the spotlight. For two weeks every summer, the 375th Airlift Wing, our host wing, stands down and the 932nd takes responsibility for meeting 100 percent of the C-9 mission.

1995-1997 - Squadron members flew mission support for Operation PATRIOT EXPRESS/MEDSTAR, a 4 AF medical exercise.

1996 - Provided aeromedical airlift for U.S. soldiers wounded in the Saudi Arabia terrorist bombing attack.

UNIT AWARDS

The 73rd AS has received over 17 Flying Safety Milestone Awards.

Received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1971, 1977, 1982, 1988, and 1994.

Lineage

Constituted 73 Troop Carrier Squadron on 30 Jan 1943. Activated on 9 Feb 1943. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1946. Activated in the Reserve on 1 Aug 1947. Redesignated 73 Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 1 Jul 1949. Ordered to Active Service on 1 May 1951. Inactivated on 1 Feb 1953. Activated in the Reserve on 1 Feb 1953. Inactivated on 24 Mar 1954. Activated in the Reserve on 8 Jun 1957. Ordered to Active Service on 28 Oct 1962. Relieved from Active Duty on 28 Nov 1962. Redesignated: 73 Military Airlift Squadron on 1 Apr 1967; 73 Aeromedical Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 25 Jul 1969; 73 Airlift Squadron on 1 Oct 1994.

Assignments

434 Troop Carrier Group, 9 Feb 1943-31 Jul 1946. 434 Troop Carrier Group, 1 Aug 1947; 436 Troop Carrier Group, 1 Jul 1948; 434 Troop Carrier Group, 1 Jul 1949-1 Feb 1953. 434 Troop Carrier Group, 1 Feb 1953-24 Mar 1954. 434 Troop Carrier Group, 8 Jun 1957; 434 Troop Carrier Wing, 14 Apr 1959; 932 Troop Carrier (later, 932 Military Airlift; 932 Aeromedical Airlift) Group, 11 Feb 1963; 932 Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992-.

Stations

Alliance AAFld, NE, 9 Feb 1943; Baer Field, IN, 4-9 Sep 1943; Fulbeck, England, 7 Oct 1943; Welford Park, England, 10 Dec 1943; Fulbeck, England, 10 Jan 1944; Aldermaston, England, 3 Mar 1944; Mourmelon-le-Grand, France, 12 Mar-Jun 1945; Baer Field, IN, 5 Aug 1945; Alliance AAFld, NE, 15 Sep 1945; George Field, IL, 11 Oct 1945; Greenville AAB, SC, 2 Feb-31 Jul 1946. Lunken Aprt, OH, 1 Aug 1947; Atterbury AFB, IN, 1 Jul 1949; Lawson AFB, GA, 23 Jan 1952-1 Feb 1953. Atterbury AFB, IN, 1 Feb 1953-24 Mar 1954. Dress Memorial Aprt, IN, 8 Jun 1957; Scott AFB, IL, 16 Nov 1957-.

Commanders

Capt Dowling, Feb 1943; Lt Col Terry G. Hutton, c. 7 Jun 1943; Maj Kenneth E. Smith, by Sep 1945; Lt Col Hollis B. Tara, 8 Oct 1945-Jul 1946. Unkn (possibly not manned), 1 Aug 1947-Apr 1951; Maj Charles E. Dougan, by May 1951; Maj Warren L. Johnson, 28 Dec 1951; Maj Charles E. Dougan, 1 Jul 1952; Maj Richard E. Hobson, 11 Sep 1952-1953. Unkn, 1 Feb 1953-24 Mar 1954. Unkn, 8 Jun 1957-1958; Lt Col Philip G. Kuhn, 24 Jan 1959; Lt Col Leonard F. Deist, 11 Feb 1963; Lt Col Charles J. Mueth, 1 Jul 1968; Lt Col Jack D. Songer, 3 Dec 1968; Col Leonard F. Deist, by Aug 1969; Lt Col Jack D. Songer, 1 Feb 1972; Lt Col Irving D. Richardson, 1 Mar 1972; Lt Col Jackie L. VanHoorebeke, 18 Jun 1973; Lt Col Wesley W. Bass, 4 Dec 1974; Lt Col James C. Ranson, 23 May 1976; Lt Col Robert Blanchard, 23 Jul 1979 (temporary); Col James C. Ranson, 6 Sep 1979; Col Harold J. C. Gerry, 30 Jul 1981; Col Rolf A. Wehr Jr., 26 Oct 1982; Col Keith R. Elbert, 1 Dec 1986; Lt Col Thomas M. Kessler, c. May 1989; Lt Col Robert A. Seitz, 5 Apr 1990; Lt Col Charles J. Blumer, 11 Jan 1992; Lt Col James W.Whitaker, 22 Mar 1993; Lt Col Timothy R. Hoffman, 9 Mar 1996; Lt Col James H. Ruffner, 6 Apr 1997; Lt Col James R. Long Jr., 7 Mar 1998-.

Aircraft

Principally C-47, 1943-1946; GC-4A gliders, 1943-1945; C-46, 1945-1946. Unkn, 1947-1948; T-7, 1949-1952; T-11, 1949-1952; C-47, 1949; C-46, 1949-1953. T-6, 1953; T-11, 1953; C-45, 1953-1954. C-46, 1957; C-119, 1957-1967; C-124, 1967-1969; C-9, 1969-.

Operations

Airborne assaults on Normandy, Holland, and Germany; relief of Bastogne; transportation of passengers and cargo in ETO during World War II. Transported personnel, equipment and supplies and airdropped airborne troops and equipment, 1957-1967; long range movement of troops, cargo, and equipment, 1965-1969; and trained for space capsule recovery, 1961-1969. Augmented the active duty 375th Wing in operating the aeromedical airlift system, 1969-.

Service Streamers

Campaign Streamers

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

Decorations