774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron
The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The squadron provides airlift to forces engaged in the War in Afghanistan.
| 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
101st Airborne Division soldiers make their way to a squadron C-130 Hercules | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1953–1971; 1972–1993; unknown |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Nickname(s) | Weasel Squadron |
| Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations Vietnam War Global War on Terror |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 774th Expeditionary Airlift Sq emblem | |
| Patch with 774th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem (later version) | |
| 774th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem | |
| 774th Bombardment Squadron emblem | |
The squadron was first activated as the 774th Bombardment Squadron during World War II. After training in the United States with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers, it deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations before inactivating in Italy.
The squadron was redesignated the 774th Troop Carrier Squadron and activated in January 1953, when it assumed the mission, personnel and aircraft of a reserve unit that had been called to active duty for the Korean War and was being released from active duty. The squadron provided airlift during a number of contingency operations, and in 1968, moved to the Philippines, from which its crews and planes rotated to Vietnam to provide airlift support during the Vietnam War. The squadron was reactivated the United States, where it continued airlift operations until inactivating in 1986. It was converted to provisional status as the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in 2001 and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed..