135th Airlift Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 135th Airlift Squadron is one of two flying units of the Maryland Air National Guard
. It is based at Warfield Air National Guard Base (Martin State Airport
) in Middle River, Maryland. Its parent unit is the 135th Airlift Group
. The unit flies the C-27J Spartan.
). When it was organized, it was one of a handful of Air National Guard units nationwide tasked with what was at the time called the air commando mission, which included covert infiltration, resupply and exfiltration of special operations troops. It remained a special operations-type unit until 1971, when it was reorganized as a tactical air support unit. In this role, it was tasked with providing Forward Air Controllers to direct air strikes in support of troops on the ground. In 1977 it was again reorganized, this time as a tactical airlift unit. The 135th Airlift Group was inactivated for two brief periods: 1958-1962, during which time the 135th Airlift Squadron continued to function as independent squadron, and 1996–1999, during which time it reported directly to the 175th Wing
.
It was originally stationed at Harbor Field in Baltimore, where it flew C-54 and SA-16 aircraft. In 1960, it relocated to the south side of the Martin Company Airport (now the Martin State Airport
) in Middle River Maryland. In 1981, it moved across the field to join other Maryland Air National Guard
units based on the north side of the field. The military facilities are named Warfield Air National Guard Base
.
Background: Designed by Lt Col Ronald James and approved for the 135th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 3 October 1990. Redesignated for the 135th Airlift Squadron in 1992. The motto, "Baltimore's Best" was suggested by Master Sgt. Lee Cherry and arose from the unit having been recognized by the Baltimore Is Best Committee on 18 Feb 1987. This insignia superseded one approved by the Air Force for the squadron in October 1960.
Maryland Air National Guard
The Maryland Air National Guard is the air force component of the militia of the U.S. state of Maryland. As a dual-status organization, it is also considered a reserve component of the United States Air Force.-Mission:...
. It is based at Warfield Air National Guard Base (Martin State Airport
Martin State Airport
Martin State Airport is a public use airport located nine nautical miles east of the central business district of Baltimore, in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States...
) in Middle River, Maryland. Its parent unit is the 135th Airlift Group
135th Airlift Group
The United States Air Force's 135th Airlift Group is an airlift unit located at Warfield Air National Guard Base on the north side of the Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland.-Mission:...
. The unit flies the C-27J Spartan.
Mission
Maintains combat-ready aircrew and aircraft to mobilize, deploy and provide intratheater airlift in support of U.S. interests worldwide. Supports theater commanders' requirements for combat delivery capability through tactical airland/airdrop operations and humanitarian aeromedical evacuations.History
The 135th Airlift Squadron was organized as the 135th Air Resupply Squadron on September 10, 1955 as part of the 135th Air Resupply Group (now the 135th Airlift Group135th Airlift Group
The United States Air Force's 135th Airlift Group is an airlift unit located at Warfield Air National Guard Base on the north side of the Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland.-Mission:...
). When it was organized, it was one of a handful of Air National Guard units nationwide tasked with what was at the time called the air commando mission, which included covert infiltration, resupply and exfiltration of special operations troops. It remained a special operations-type unit until 1971, when it was reorganized as a tactical air support unit. In this role, it was tasked with providing Forward Air Controllers to direct air strikes in support of troops on the ground. In 1977 it was again reorganized, this time as a tactical airlift unit. The 135th Airlift Group was inactivated for two brief periods: 1958-1962, during which time the 135th Airlift Squadron continued to function as independent squadron, and 1996–1999, during which time it reported directly to the 175th Wing
175th Wing
The United States Air Force's 175th Wing is a composite fighter and tactical airlift unit located at Warfield Air National Guard Base at the Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland...
.
It was originally stationed at Harbor Field in Baltimore, where it flew C-54 and SA-16 aircraft. In 1960, it relocated to the south side of the Martin Company Airport (now the Martin State Airport
Martin State Airport
Martin State Airport is a public use airport located nine nautical miles east of the central business district of Baltimore, in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States...
) in Middle River Maryland. In 1981, it moved across the field to join other Maryland Air National Guard
Maryland Air National Guard
The Maryland Air National Guard is the air force component of the militia of the U.S. state of Maryland. As a dual-status organization, it is also considered a reserve component of the United States Air Force.-Mission:...
units based on the north side of the field. The military facilities are named Warfield Air National Guard Base
Warfield Air National Guard Base
Warfield Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing.-Overview:Martin State Airport, MD, is home to the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard, itself composed of the 135th Airlift Group and the 175th Fighter Group...
.
Heraldry
Symbolism: Ultramarine blue and golden yellow are the Air Force colors and symbolize that the unit is a part of the Air Force. The escutcheon portrays the coat of arms of the State of Maryland and signifies the home location of the unit. The crossed jousting lances reflect the military preparedness of the squadron and allude the Maryland state sport.Background: Designed by Lt Col Ronald James and approved for the 135th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 3 October 1990. Redesignated for the 135th Airlift Squadron in 1992. The motto, "Baltimore's Best" was suggested by Master Sgt. Lee Cherry and arose from the unit having been recognized by the Baltimore Is Best Committee on 18 Feb 1987. This insignia superseded one approved by the Air Force for the squadron in October 1960.
Major Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(1999–present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1993–1996) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(1992–1993) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(1977–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1955–1977)
Previous designations
- 135th Air Resupply Squadron (1955–1958)
- 135th Troop Carrier Squadron (1962–1963)
- 135th Air Commando Squadron (1963–1968)
- 135th Special Operations Squadron (1968–1971)
- 135th Tactical Air Support Squadron (1971–1977)
- 135th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1977–1992)
- 135th Airlift Squadron (1992–Present)
Bases Stationed
- Harbor Field, BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
(1955–1960) - Warfield Air National Guard BaseWarfield Air National Guard BaseWarfield Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing.-Overview:Martin State Airport, MD, is home to the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard, itself composed of the 135th Airlift Group and the 175th Fighter Group...
, BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
(1960–Present)
Aircraft Operated
- C-46D Commando (1955–1958)
- HU-16A Albatross (1956–1962)
- HU-16B Albatross (1957–1971)
- U-10 Super Courier (1963–1972)
- U-6A Beaver (1965–1967)
- O-2A Super Skymaster (1971–1977)
- C-7A Caribou (1977–1980)
- C-130B Hercules (1980–1989)
- C-130E Hercules (1989–2000)
- C-130J Hercules (1999–2011)
- C-27J Spartan (2011-Present)