109th Airlift Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 109th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130H Hercules. It is a unit of the Minnesota Air National Guard
. Its parent unit is the 133rd Airlift Wing.
. It began flight operations, flying the JN-6H
"Jennys" in 1923. It was called to federal duty in 1941 (World War II
). The 109th Observation Squadron was assigned to the 67th Observation Group at Esler Field, LA in Aug 1941. The Squadron flew antisubmarine patrols along the east coast of the USA after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
. The 109th was transferred to the European theatre Aug-Oct 1942, becoming part of the Eighth Air Force and then in late 1943 it came under the command of the Ninth Air Force. In May 1943 remained the 109th Reconnaissance Squadron and then the 109thth Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Nov 1943 and then another name change in 1945 to the 109th Reconnaissance Squadron. In addittion to flying photo reconnaissance missions in support of the strategic bombing missions in the ETO, the 109th flew photo reconnaissance missions in preparation for the D-Day landing at Normandy. The Squadron, also, flew photo reconnaissance missions over the V-1 bomb sites in France.
The Squadron returned to the USA in September 1945 and was disbanded in March 1946. Following the establishment of the U.S. Air Force in 1947 the Squadron, again, received federal recognition and was assigned to the Minnesota Air National Guard. The Squadron was called up in 1951 (Korea), stationed at Wold-Chamberlain Airport in Minneapolis, MN. The primary mission of the 109th during this period was air defense in support of NORAD. Again the 109th was called up for the 1961 Berlin Crisis. By this time the 109th was flying the C-97G in support of a worldwide airlift mission. During the Vietnam War, the 109th flew numerous airlift missions each month into Vietnam on a volunteer basis. It was, again, called up and deployed for "Iraqi Freedom". Today, it is one of the premier Air National Guard airlift squadron's in the country.
Minnesota Air National Guard
The Minnesota Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is, along with the Minnesota Army National Guard, an element of the Minnesota National Guard.-Mission:...
. Its parent unit is the 133rd Airlift Wing.
Mission
The 109th Airlift Squadron provides the U.S. Air Force with tactical airlift of troops, cargo, and medical patients anywhere in the world. Additionally, the 109th Airlift Squadron is prepared to support the State of Minnesota with troops and aircraft assets capable of assisting in a disaster.History
The 109th Squadron, National Guard (34th ID) was federally recognized by the War Department on January 17, 1921. It was the first aviation National Guard squadron to receive federal recognition following World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It began flight operations, flying the JN-6H
Curtiss JN-4
The Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" was one of a series of "JN" biplanes built by the Curtiss Aeroplane Company of Hammondsport, New York, later the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. Although the Curtiss JN series was originally produced as a training aircraft for the U.S...
"Jennys" in 1923. It was called to federal duty in 1941 (World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
). The 109th Observation Squadron was assigned to the 67th Observation Group at Esler Field, LA in Aug 1941. The Squadron flew antisubmarine patrols along the east coast of the USA after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
. The 109th was transferred to the European theatre Aug-Oct 1942, becoming part of the Eighth Air Force and then in late 1943 it came under the command of the Ninth Air Force. In May 1943 remained the 109th Reconnaissance Squadron and then the 109thth Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Nov 1943 and then another name change in 1945 to the 109th Reconnaissance Squadron. In addittion to flying photo reconnaissance missions in support of the strategic bombing missions in the ETO, the 109th flew photo reconnaissance missions in preparation for the D-Day landing at Normandy. The Squadron, also, flew photo reconnaissance missions over the V-1 bomb sites in France.
The Squadron returned to the USA in September 1945 and was disbanded in March 1946. Following the establishment of the U.S. Air Force in 1947 the Squadron, again, received federal recognition and was assigned to the Minnesota Air National Guard. The Squadron was called up in 1951 (Korea), stationed at Wold-Chamberlain Airport in Minneapolis, MN. The primary mission of the 109th during this period was air defense in support of NORAD. Again the 109th was called up for the 1961 Berlin Crisis. By this time the 109th was flying the C-97G in support of a worldwide airlift mission. During the Vietnam War, the 109th flew numerous airlift missions each month into Vietnam on a volunteer basis. It was, again, called up and deployed for "Iraqi Freedom". Today, it is one of the premier Air National Guard airlift squadron's in the country.
Lineage
- Organized as 109th Aero Squadron on 27 Aug 1917
- Re-designated 803d Aero Squadron on 1 Feb 1918
- Demobilized on 23 Jun 1919
- Reconstituted and consolidated (1936) with 109th Squadron which, having been allotted to Minnesota NG, was organized on 17 Jan 1921
- Re-designated 109th Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923
- Ordered to active service on 10 Feb 1941
- Re-designated: 109th Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942
- Re-designated: 19th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
- Re-designated: 109th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 31 May 1943;
- Re-designated: 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 Nov 1943
- Inactivated on 9 Nov 1945
- Re-designated 109th Fighter Squadron, and allotted to Minnesota ANG, 24 May 1946
- Extended federal recognition and activated on 28 August 1947
- Federalized and placed on active duty, 2 March 1951
- Re-designated: 109th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine), 2 March 1951
- Released from active duty and returned to Minnesota state control, 1 December 1952
- Re-designated 109th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1953
- Re-designated 109th Airlift Squadron, 1960
- Re-designated 109th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 1975
- Re-designated 109th Airlift Squadron, 1992–Present
Assignments
- Unknown: 27 Aug 1917-Jan 1918
- Air Service Production Center No. 2, Jan 1918-Jun 1919
- Minnesota National GuardMinnesota Army National GuardThe Minnesota Army National Guard, along with the Minnesota Air National Guard, is an element of the Minnesota National Guard. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States...
(divisional aviation, 34th Division) , 17 Jan 1921 - V Army Corps, 10 Feb 1941;
- With Observation (later Reconnaissance; Tactical Reconnaissance; Reconnaissance) Group, 1 Sep 1941-9 Nov 1945
- Minnesota Air National GuardMinnesota Air National GuardThe Minnesota Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is, along with the Minnesota Army National Guard, an element of the Minnesota National Guard.-Mission:...
, 24 May 1946
- Minnesota Air National Guard
- 133d Fighter Group, (ADC) 28 August 1947
- 133d Fighter Group, (ConAC) 1 Dec 1948
- 133d Fighter Group, (ADC) 1 Jan 1951
- Federalized and placed on active duty under Air Defense Command, 2 March 1951
- 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group, 2 March 1951
- 31st Air Division (CADF), 6 February 1952
- Released from active duty and returned to Minnesota state control, 1 December 1952
- 133d Fighter Group (ADC), 1 December 1952
- 133d Fighter-Interceptor Group (ADC), 1956
- 133d Air Transport Group (MATS), 1960
- 133d Military Airlift Group (MAC), 1966
- 133d Tactical Airlift Group (MAC), 1975
- 133d Airlift Group (AMC), 1992
- 133d Airlift Wing133d Airlift WingThe 133d Airlift Wing is a unit of the Minnesota Air National Guard and Minnesota National Guard, part of the United States Air Force. It's located at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport in St. Paul, Minnesota. Operationally-gained by the Air Mobility Command , the 133 AW flies the C-130 H3...
(AMC), 1995-Present
Stations
- Kelly Field, Tex, 27 Aug 1917
- Garden CityGarden City- Places :Australia:*Toowoomba, Queensland, nicknamed "Garden City"*Garden City, a locality within Port Melbourne, Victoria* Westfield Garden City, a Westfield shopping centre in Upper Mount Gravatt, Brisbane...
, NY, 1 Nov-7 Dec 1917 - St Maixent, France, 2 Jan 1918
- Romorantin, France, 18 Jan 1918~Jun 1919
- Mitchel Field, NY, c. 13-23 Jun 1919
- Curtiss Field (Snelling Ave. and Larpenter Ave., St. Paul), St. Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
(1921–1922) - Speedway FieldSpeedway FieldSpeedway Field was the original name for the airfield that was to evolve into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport the twelfth busiest airport in the United States; it is also the largest hub for Northwest Airlines....
(Changed to Wold-Chamberlain Field (1923) Now Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport), St. Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
(1922–1930) - Holman Field (Now Downtown St. Paul Airport), St. Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
(1930–1941) - Camp Beauregard Army Field, La, 27 Feb 1941
- Savannah Army Air Base, Georgia, 18 Dec 1941
- Esler Army Airfield, La, 29 Jan-12 Aug 1942
- RAF MemburyRAF MemburyRAF Station Membury is a former World War II airfield built in the civil parish of Lambourn in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately mi north-northwest of Hungerford, at the Membury services stop of the M4 motorway; about miles west-southwest of London...
, England, 7 Sep 1942 - RAF AtchamRAF AtchamRAF Atcham is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located 5 miles E of Shrewsbury in Shropshire on the north eastern boundary of Attingham Park...
, England, 21 Nov 1942
- RAF MemburyRAF MemburyRAF Station Membury is a former World War II airfield built in the civil parish of Lambourn in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately mi north-northwest of Hungerford, at the Membury services stop of the M4 motorway; about miles west-southwest of London...
, England, 15 May 1943 - RAF Middle Wallop, England, 12 Dec 1943
- Le Molay AirfieldLe Molay AirfieldLe Molay Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield, which is located near the commune of Le Molay-Littry in the Basse-Normandie region of northern France....
(A-9), France, 4 Jul 1943 - Toussus-le-Noble AirportToussus-le-Noble AirportToussus-le-Noble Airport is a regional airport in France . It supports general aviation with no commercial airline service scheduled. Many French governmental aircraft are hangared and maintained at the airport and it used primarily for government travel and charters, as well as private...
(A-46), France, 29 Aug 1944; - Buc Airfield, France, c. 31 Aug 1944
- Gosselies, Belgium, 20 Sep 1944
- Operated from Chievres Airfield (A-84), Belgium, 7-18 Dec 1944)
- Vogelsang, Germany, 24 Mar 1945
- Limburg, Germany, 2 Apr 1945
- Eschwege, Germany, 12 Apr-c. 6 Jul 1945
- Drew Field, Fla, 16 Sep-9 Nov 1945.
- Holman Field (Now Downtown St. Paul Airport), St. Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
(1945–1958) - Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, St. Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
(1958–Present)
Aircraft Operated
- C-130H Hercules (1995–Present)
- C-130E Hercules (1981–1995)
- C-130A Hercules (1971–1981)
- C-97G Stratofreighter (1960–1971)
- F-89H Scorpion (1958–1960)
- F-94C Starfire (1957–1960)
- F-94A-B Starfire (1956–1957)
- T-28A Trojan (1954–1955)
- F-51D Mustang (1947–1954)
- T-6A TexanT-6 TexanThe North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
(1947–1954) - O-47 (1938–1942)
- BC-1 (1938–1941)
- O-38E (1935–1938)
- O-38B (1930–1938)
- JNS-1 (JN-6) Jenny (1922–1927)
- JN-4H Jenny (1922–1927)
- Curtiss Oriole (Leased)(1921)