In 1967, the squadron was redesignated the 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron. In 1968, during the siege of Khe Sanh, crews from the 21st performed massive combat airdrops and assault landing supporting the besieged outpost. In 1971 Naha Air Base was closed and the squadron moved to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base on Taiwan, however the political sensitivity of having a permanently assigned USAF unit on Taiwan led the squadron to move to Clark Air Base in the Philippines in November 1973. Through 1973 and 1974, the "Bee liners" were instrumental in repatriating American POWs to US soil.