815th Airlift Squadron
| 815th Airlift Squadron | |
|---|---|
815th Airlift Squadron C-130J tail showing the Flying Jennies tail band
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| Active | 14 September 1943 – 25 September 1945 1 January 1953 – 15 December 1969 25 April 1973 – Present |
| Country |
 United States
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| Branch |
 United States Air Force
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| Type | Airlift |
| Part of | 403d Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi |
| Nickname(s) | Flying Jennies, Storm Trackers (1976-1987) |
| Engagements |
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| Decorations |
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| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the 815th Airlift Squadron (approved 28 April 1960, reinstated 1988) |  |
| 815th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron emblem |  |
| 815th Bombardment Sq emblem (unofficial) |  |
The 815th Airlift Squadron is a flying unit of the United States Air Force assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command and part of the 403d Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates C-130J Hercules aircraft providing global airlfit.
During World War II as the 815th Bombardment Squadron, it was one of the last B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber squadrons deployed to Southern Italy as part of the Fifteenth Air Force 483d Bombardment Group in March 1944.
Support the theater commander with the capability to resupply the forces, provide for their airlift requirements and employment operations within the combat zone or forward areas, and when requested, to provide aeromedical/refugee evacuation and augment strategic airlift forces. The unit can perform precision air drop of supplies and paratroopers in all weather conditions either day or night, as well as perform day and night assault zone loadings.
Established in late 1943 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment squadron, trained under Third Air Force in Florida. Was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force in Southern Italy. Engaged in long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, industrial and transport targets, including oil refineries and production oilfields in Italy, France, southern Germany, Austria and the Balkans. Continued strategic bombardment until German capitulation in May 1945.
After V-E Day, was assigned to Air Transport Command (ATC) Green Project which was the movement of troops from Pisa Airfield staging area in Morocco. B-17s were dearmed with flooring and seats for 25 passengers installed. Crew consisted of Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Engineer. Carried passengers from Pisa to Port Lyautey Airfield, French Morocco where ATC transports moved them across the Atlantic or to Dakar for movement via South Atlantic Transport Route. Inactivated in Italy in September 1945.
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Wikipedia