57th Weapons Squadron
US Air Force unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 57th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, stationed at the McChord AFB component of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The mission of the squadron is to provide Boeing C-17 Globemaster III instructional flying.
57th Weapons Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1946; 1947–1952; 1952–1954; 1966–2001; 2003–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Advanced Strategic Airlift Training |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Garrison/HQ | McChord Air Force Base |
Engagements | World War II (Asia-Pacific Theater)[1] |
Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (13x) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (World War II) Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1] |
Insignia | |
57th Weapons Squadron emblem[note 1][1] | |
57th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem[note 2][2] |
The squadron was first activated as the 57th Troop Carrier Squadron during World War II. After training in the United States, it moved to the Southwest Pacific Theater, where it provided airlift support, earning a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Following V-J Day, it served briefly as part of the occupation forces before inactivating in Japan.
The squadron was activated in the reserve in 1947, and served as a reserve unit until 1954. It was called to active duty during the Korean War, but remained in the United States.
The squadron was activated again in 1966 as the 57th Military Airlift Squadron, when it replaced another squadron providing training to strategic airlift aircrews. It continued the training mission until 2001, when it was inactivated. Two years later, it was activated with its current mission and name.