page_title: 21st Airlift Squadron
section_title: Cold War
hierarchical_section_title: 21st Airlift Squadron / History / Cold War
caption_attribution_description: English: Lockheed C-130A-6-LM Hercules 56-473 performing a parachute drop
context_page_description: The 21st Airlift Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft carrying out United States Air Force global transport missions, duties which involve airlift and airdrop missions as well as provision of services and support in order to promote quality of life for both soldiers and civilians in situations requiring humanitarian aid.
  First formed as the 21st Transport Squadron at Archerfield Airport, Australia on 3 April 1942. Activated in the wake of the United States withdrawal from the Philippines, the squadron was formed with a mixture of personnel withdrawn from Clark Field and some reinforcements which had arrived in Australia but did not see combat in the Philippines. The squadron was hastily put together with some impressed civilian Douglas DC-2s and DC-3s.
context_section_description: When the Korean War began in 1950, the 21st was again called into action. The squadron moved to Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, where it exchanged its long-range C-54s for twin-engined C-46 and C-47 aircraft.   The squadron carried much needed equipment and supplies, along with personnel across the Sea of Japan to marginal dirt airstrips in South Korea on an almost continuous basis.  The squadron participated in all major engagements in Korea, including the massive airdrops at Sunchon in which 290.8 tons of supplies and 1,093 paratroopers were dropped in three days. The squadron operated from various airfields in Japan, flying combat resupply and evacuation missions back to Japan until December 1952 when the 21st was relieved of combat duty, and re-equipped with C-54 Skymasters.
  From its base at Tachikawa, the squadron began flying airlift missions in the southwest Pacific and to Alaska.  In addition, the squadron began flying trans-pacific missions to Hawaii, along with flights to Military Air Transport Service bases at McChord Air Force Base, Washington and Travis Air Force Base, California. It transported combat wounded and other personnel back to the United States, and personnel, equipment and supplies from the US to Japan.  In late 1955, the 21st was moved to Kisarazu Air Base to relieve overcrowding at Tachikawa.
  In late 1956, the squadron moved to Naha Air Base, Okinawa, where it was re-equipped with Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars. With these tactical transports, it began flying missions to Taiwan and also to South Vietnam carrying personnel, equipment and supplies.  In 1958, the squadron began to receive new Lockheed C-130A Hercules to replace the C-119s. For the better part of the next 40 years, the 21st would fly increasingly updated versions of the Hercules in Southeast Asia.
  Based in Okinawa, the squadron used its cargo and personnel hub at Naha AB to transship personnel and cargo to bases on Taiwan, the Philippines and increasingly to support United States forces that were building up in South Vietnam, Thailand and Laos.   As the level of American involvement increased in the ongoing conflict in Southeast Asia, the C-130s of the squadron were becoming a more common sight during the 1960s in support of operations.
  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.
  During the 1980s, the 21st frequently participated in exercises including Team Spirit, Foal Eagle, Tandem Orbit, and Cope Thunder.  In 1989 due to the decision to downsize Clark Air Base, the squadron again moved to Yokota Air Base, Japan, which was being developed as a Military Airlift Command passenger/cargo hub.    The 21st was selected for the 1991 Military Airlift Command's Outstanding Tactical Airlift Unit Award and best Active Duty Tactical Airdrop Award at the 1993 Rodeo competition.
caption: Lockheed C-130A-6-LM Hercules, 56-473, performing a parachute drop, with 56-493 in the distance.
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