709th Airlift Squadron
 | |
|---|---|
 A crew from the 709th prepares for a training flight on the first C-5M at Dover Air Force Base[a] | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1973–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Dover Air Force Base, Delaware |
| Motto(s) | Global Airlift |
| Colors | White (World War II)[1] |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations Operation Just Cause |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 709th Airlift Squadron emblem[b][2] |  |
| 709th Bombardment Squadron emblem[c][3] |  |
| ETO Fuselage Code[1] | IE |
| 447th Bombardment Group tail marking[1] | Square K |
The 709th Airlift Squadron is part of the 512th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 709th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to the European Theater, where it engaged in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. After V-E Day, it returned to the United States, where it was inactivated in the fall of 1945.
The squadron was briefly activated in the reserves from 1947 to 1949. In 1973, the squadron was redesignated the 709th Military Airlift Squadron and activated at Dover as a reserve associate unit of the 436th Military Airlift Wing. Its reservists operated the 436th's C-5s alongside members of the regular Air Force.
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