Global Information537th Airlift Squadron information
537th Airlift Squadron
 | |
|---|---|
 C-130 Hercules aircraft of the 537th Airlift Squadron on an airdrop training mission near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson | |
| Active | 1943–1944; 1952–1953; 1966–1971; 2011–2013 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Motto(s) | Gesta non-Verba Latin: Deeds, not Words |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 537th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 26 March 1968)[1] |  |
The 537th Airlift Squadron is an inactive squadron of the United States Air Force. The unit was last active at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska, where it was inactivated on 13 September 2013.
The squadron was first established during World War II as the 537th Fighter Squadron. It served as a Replacement Training Unit for Republic P-47 Thunderbolt pilots until it was disbanded in a major reorganization of the Army Air Forces in 1944 designed to streamline training organizations.
In 1952, the squadron was redesignated as the 537th Troop Carrier Squadron, and activated at Atterbury Air Force Base to replace elements of the 923d Reserve Training Wing. The following year the squadron was inactivated and replaced at Atterbury by the 73d Troop Carrier Squadron.
The unit was activated again in Viet Nam as a C-7 Caribou squadron assigned to the 483d Tactical Airlift Wing the squadron was awarded three Presidential Unit Citations for its actions during the Viet Nam War.
In 2011, the unit was re-activated and designated the 537th Airlift Squadron.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (22 August 2011). "Factsheet 537 Airlift Squadron (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.