356th Airlift Squadron
 | |
|---|---|
 433d Airlift Wing C-5A Galaxys | |
| Active | 1942–1944; 1944–1946; 1949–1950; 1952–2006; 2007–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Kelly Field Annex |
| Motto(s) | Victor Viam Ducat (Latin for 'The Victor Leads the Way') |
| Engagements | Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II[1] |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 356th Airlift Squadron emblem[a][1] |  |
| 356th Tactical Airlift Squadron emblem[b] |  |
| 356th Bombardment Squadron emblem[c][2] |  |
The 356th Airlift Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve squadron, assigned to the 433d Operations Group Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. The 356th is a C-5M Super Galaxy Formal Training Unit.
The squadron was first activated in 1942 as the 356th Bombardment Squadron, and served as a training unit until the spring of 1944, when it was inactivated in a reorganization of training units by the Army Air Forces. It was activated again as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit. It deployed to the Pacific in the spring of 1945 and participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Japan, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation. After V-J Day, the squadron remained in the Pacific until 1946, when it was inactivated.
The squadron was redesignated the 356th Troop Carrier Squadron and activated in the military reserve force in 1949, but was inactivated a few months later. When the reserves resumed flying operations after the Korean War, the squadron was activated again in 1952. It served continuously in the reserve until 2006, being mobilized during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was activated in its current role in 2007.
- ^ a b c Musser, James (6 September 2023). "Factsheet 356 Airlift Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 442–43
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