700th Airlift Squadron
The 700th Airlift Squadron is part of the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. It operates Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft providing global airlift.
| 700th Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
Squadron C-130H Hercules dropping paratroopers in 1992 | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1952–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre with Palm Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 700th Airlift Squadron emblem | |
| Patvch with 700th Bombardment Squadron emblem | |
| World War II Fuselage Code | IS |
The squadron was first activated in April 1943 as the 700th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed with its Consolidated B-24 Liberators to the European Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign until the end of hostilities, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its actions. It returned to the United States in the summer of 1945 and was inactivated in September.
The squadron was reactivated in the reserves in 1947, although it is not clear whether it was fully manned or equipped before inactivating in 1949. It was activated again in the reserves in 1952 as the 700th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. In 1957, it assumed the airlift role as the 700th Troop Carrier Squadron. The squadron was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis and again for the Pueblo Crisis. The squadron has served as a reserve airlift unit since 1957.