Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 2.0 inch-50mm
317th AIRLIFT SQUADRON (AFRC)
Lineage. 317 Transport Squadron (Cargo and Mail) (constituted on 25 Oct 1943; activated on 28 Oct 1943; disbanded on 9 Apr 1944; reconstituted on 19 Sep 1985) and the 317 Troop Carrier Squadron (constituted as 317 Troop Carrier Squadron, Commando, and activated, on 1 May 1944; redesignated 317 Troop Carrier Squadron on 29 Sep 1945; inactivated on 28 Feb 1946) consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with the 317 Special Operations Squadron (constituted as 317 Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier, on 6 Apr 1964; organized on 1 Jul 1964; redesignated 317 Air Commando Squadron, Utility, on 15 Jun 1966; redesignated 317 Special Operations Squadron on 8 Jul 1968; inactivated on 30 Apr 1974). Redesignated 317 Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 20 Feb 1992. Activated on 1 Apr 1992. Redesignated as 317 Airlift Squadron on 1 Oct 1994.
Assignments. Eighth Air Force, 28 Oct 1943-9 Apr 1944. 2 Air Commando Group, 1 May 1944; Tenth Air Force, 10 Sep 1945; US Army Forces, India-Burma Theater, c. Jan-28 Feb 1946. 1 Air Commando (later, 1 Special Operations) Wing, 1 Jul 1964; 4410 Combat Crew Training Wing, 15 Jul 1969; 1 Special Operations Wing, 15 Apr 1970-30 Apr 1974. 315 Airlift Wing, 1 Apr 1992; 315 Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992-.
Stations. Camp Griffiss, England, 28 Oct 1943-9 Apr 1944. Camp Mackall, NC, 1 May 1944; Alachua AAFld, FL, 7 Jun 1944; Dunnellon AAFld, FL, 21 Jun 1944; Camp Mackall, NC, 15 Aug 1944; Baer Field, IN, 29 Sep-Oct 1944; Sylhet, India (air echelon), 2 Nov 1944 (detachment operated at Tulihal, India, 10 Nov-c. 18 Nov 1944); Bikram, India (air echelon), 30 Nov 1944 (deployed at Myitkyina, Burma, 5 Dec 1944-6 Jan 1945); Kalaikunda, India, 16 Dec 1944 (detachments operated from Dinjan, India, 8-13 Jan 1945 and Bikram, India, 22-30 Jan 1945); Palel, India, 7 Feb 1945; Kalaikunda, India, 13 Apr 1945 (detachment operated from Akyab, Burma, 29 Apr-1 May 1945 and Comilla, India, 3-20 May 1945); Ledo, India, 1 Jun 1945; Liangshan, China, 10 Sep 1945; Hsian, China, 25 Sep 1945; Kunming, China, 3 Nov 1945; Salua, India, 10 Nov 1945; Hijli, India, 18 Dec 1945; Titagurh, India, 12 Jan-28 Feb 1946. Eglin AF Aux Fld #9, FL, 1 Jul 1964; England AFB, LA, 15 Jan 1966; Eglin AF Aux Fld #9, FL, 15 Apr 1970-30 Apr 1974. Charleston AFB, SC, 1 Apr 1992-.
Aircraft. Unkn, 1943. CG-4, 1944-1945; CG-13, 1944-1945; C-47, 1944-1945; C-46, 1945. C-123, 1964-1965; U-10, 1966-1973; C-47, 1966-1970; AC-47, 1967-1968; T-28, 1967-1968; UH-1, 1970-1974; C-123, 1972-1973; CH-3, 1973-1974. C-141, 1992-1993; C-17, 1993-.
Operations. Between Oct 1943 and Apr 1944 presumably airlifted cargo and mail for Eighth Air Force within the United Kingdom. Between Nov 1944 and Aug 1945, airlifted troops and cargo in India and Burma, conducting assault landings in Burma in Feb and Apr 1945. Provided aerial transportation for US and allied units in China just after the war, Sep-Nov 1945. Between Jul 1964 and 1973, trained air commando and special operations personnel for combat missions in South Vietnam. Since 1992, the squadron has flown worldwide airlift missions taking part in contingency operations and training exercises, and was the first Air Force Reserve squadron to fly the C-17 aircraft, beginning in 1993. Flew humanitarian airlift missions to Washington DC and New York City, NY, after the terrorist attack on the US, 11 Sep 2001.
Service Streamers. World War II European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: India-Burma, China Defensive, Central Burma with two Arrowheads, China Offensive.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [1 Jul 1964]-Jun 1965; 15 Apr 1970-15 Apr 1971; 1 Jul 1993-30 Jun 1995; 1 Jul 1995-30 Jun 1997; 1 Jul 1998-30 Jun 2000; 1 Sep 1998-31 Aug 2000; 11 Sep 2001-10 Sep 2003; 1 Aug 2005-31 Jul 2007.
Emblem. Approved on 15 Mar 1968; revised on 23 Sep 1999.