249th Airlift Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 249th Airlift Squadron flies the C-17 Globemaster III
. It is a unit of the Alaska Air National Guard
. Its parent unit is the 176th Wing
.
In association with the 517th, the 249th began flying a variety of airlift missions -- including combat missions in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom -- in mid-summer of 2007. From that time up through September 2009, while members referred to it as the 249th, the unit was officially a detachment of the 176th Operations Group. It received official Department of Defense recognition and activation as the 249th Airlift Squadron in September 2009.
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
. It is a unit of the Alaska Air National Guard
Alaska Air National Guard
The Alaska Air National Guard is the component of the United States Air National Guard operating within the state of Alaska.-Overview:Alaska Air National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Air Force. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are...
. Its parent unit is the 176th Wing
176th Wing
The 176th Wing is the largest unit of the Alaska Air National Guard. It is a composite wing — meaning a wing which operates more than one type of aircraft — operating out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska...
.
Mission
The mission of the 249th Current Operations Flight is to provide mission-ready aircrew, by functioning as the focal point for all mission and crew management. Flight members work hand-in-hand with squadron and senior leadership to schedule, plan and execute the squadron's local flight training and operational missions.History
The 249th is one of the first Air National Guard units in the nation to be organized under what is called an "associate" organizational construct. Under this model, two or more components of the Air Force (that is, the active-duty Air Force, the Air National Guard, and/or the Air Force Reserve) integrate their operations to carry out a common mission. Each unit, however, retains its own separate chain of command. This innovative concept was designed to capitalize on the inherent strengths of the different components, enhance combat capability and achieve operational efficiencies.In association with the 517th, the 249th began flying a variety of airlift missions -- including combat missions in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom -- in mid-summer of 2007. From that time up through September 2009, while members referred to it as the 249th, the unit was officially a detachment of the 176th Operations Group. It received official Department of Defense recognition and activation as the 249th Airlift Squadron in September 2009.
Bases stationed
- Elmendorf Air Force BaseElmendorf Air Force BaseJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a United States military facility adjacent to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:The...
, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
(2007–Present) - Kulis Air National Guard BaseKulis Air National Guard BaseKulis Air National Guard Base was a National Guard of the United States facility in Anchorage, Alaska. The facility adjacent to and south of Ted Stevens International Airport was home to the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard until that unit moved to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in...
, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
(1955–2007) - Elmendorf Air Force BaseElmendorf Air Force BaseJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a United States military facility adjacent to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:The...
, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
(1952–1955)
Aircraft Operated
- C-17 Globemaster IIIC-17 Globemaster IIIThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
(2007–Present) - HC-130HC-130The Lockheed HC-130 is an extended-range, search and rescue and Combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport. The HC-130H and HC-130J versions are operated by the United States Coast Guard in a SAR and maritime reconnaissance role. The HC-130P and HC-130N Combat King models...
(1990–2007) - MH-60/H-60H-60H-60 is often used as a general name for a wide family of U.S. military helicopters. However, they all use a modified mission symbol in addition to the 'H' vehicle type designator under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system . The mission prefix H-60 is often used as a...
(1990–Present) - KC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerThe Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
(1986–1990) - C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1976–1996) - C-123 (1960–1976)
- C-47 (1957–1960)
- T-33T-33 Shooting StarThe Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
(1955-1957?) - F-80 (1955-1957?)
- F-86 (1955-1957?)
- T-6 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...
(1952–1955)