61st Airlift Squadron

61st Airlift Squadron
61st Airlift Squadron Patch
Active	13 October 1942 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Airlift
Part of	Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 19th Airlift Wing
Garrison/HQ	Little Rock Air Force Base
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

The 61st Airlift squadron is part of the 19th Operations Group and operates C-130 Hercules aircraft from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The unit predominantly deploys in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.

History

Lineage

• Constituted as 61 Troop Carrier Squadron on 13 Oct 1942

Activated on 26 Oct 1942

Inactivated on 30 Sep 1946

• Re-designated as 61 Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 20 Sep 1949

Activated on 17 Oct 1949

Re-designated as: 61 Troop Carrier Squadron on 1 Mar 1966

Re-designated as: 61 Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 May 1967

Re-designated as: 61 Airlift Squadron on 1 Dec 1991.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5
• AFHRA 61st Airlift Squadron History