Global Information777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron information
777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron
 | |
|---|---|
 A C-130 Hercules if the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is marshaled into position at Joint Base Balad, Iraq | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1953–1971; 2003–2011 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Nickname(s) | Dueling Dragons, Triple Seven[1] |
| Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations Iraq War |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 777th Expeditionary Airlft Squadron emblem[a][2] |  |
| Tail Code1968–1971 | PB |
The 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force squadron, which served for various periods between August 1943 and May 2011.
The squadron was created on 1 August 1943 during World War II as the 777th Bombardment Squadron. It flew Consolidated B-24 Liberators in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions. When the war ended, the squadron helped transport troops back to the United States, and was inactivated in July 1945.
Reactivated in 1953 as the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron, it replaced the 72d Troop Carrier Squadron, a reserve unit recalled to active duty for the Korean War at Lawson Air Force Base, Georgia. It moved to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, operating first Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars, then Fairchild C-123 Providers. It was deployed to Vietnam in 1962 as part of Project Mule Train, before transferring its deployed crews and planes to the 311th Troop Carrier Squadron in 1963.
On returning to Pope, it converted to Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, participating in Operation Dragon Rouge in 1964, and Operation Power Pack in 1965. It was inactivated on 31 August 1971, when the 39th Tactical Airlift Squadron replaced it at Pope, before being reactivated in 2003 for service in Operation Enduring Freedom. It flew airlift missions in Iraq until inactivating once again in May 2011.
- ^ Duong, SRA Tong (10 May 2011). "777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron inactivated". 332d Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 750–751
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