155th Airlift Squadron The 155th Airlift Squadron ( 155 AS ) is a unit of the Tennessee Air National Guard 164th Airlift Wing . It is assigned to Memphis Air National Guard Base , Tennessee and is equipped with the C - 5 Galaxy aircraft . History . World War II . Organized and trained in the Northeast United States by First Air Force . During training was part of the air defense of the northeast , being attached to the New York and Boston Fighter Wings . Deployed to England aboard the RMS Queen Elizabeth and served in combat as part of VIII Fighter Command from October 1943 to May 1945 , participating in operations that prepared for the invasion of the Continent , and supporting the landings in Normandy and the subsequent Allied drive across France and Germany . The squadron flew P - 47 Thunderbolt s until they were replaced by P - 51 Mustang s in November 1944 . From October 1943 until January 1944 , operated as escort for B - 17 Flying Fortress / B - 24 Liberator bombers that attacked such objectives as industrial areas , missile sites , airfields , and communications . Fighters from the 461st engaged primarily in bombing and strafing missions after 3 January 1944 , with its targets including U - boat installations , barges , shipyards , aerodromes , hangars , marshalling yards , locomotives , trucks , oil facilities , flak tower s , and radar stations . Bombed and strafed in the Arnhem , Netherlands area on 17 , 18 , and 23 September 1944 to neutralize enemy gun emplacements providing support to Allied ground forces during Operation Market - Garden . In early 1945 , the squadron ' s P - 51 Mustang s clashed with German Me 262 jet aircraft . The squadron flew its last combat mission , escorting B - 17 ' s dropping propaganda leaflets , on 7 May 1945 . Remained in the United Kingdom during the balance of 1945 , most personnel were demobilized and returned to the United States , with aircraft being sent to storage facilities in the UK . The squadron was administratively inactivated at Camp Kilmer New Jersey on 10 November 1945 without personnel or equipment . Tennessee Air National Guard . Re - designated : 155th Fighter Squadron , and allotted to Tennessee ANG , on 24 May 1946 , extended federal recognition and activated on 3 February 1947 . Assigned to the 118th Fighter Group at Berry Field , Nashville , flying the P - 47 Thunderbolt aircraft . Was converted to a Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in February 1951 , being re - equipped with the RB - 26 Invader . Was Federalized and placed on active duty , 2 March 1951 , remaining at Memphis Municipal Airport . Released from active duty and returned to Tennessee state control , 31 December 1952 . The unit was redesignated as a jet photo reconnaissance organization on 1 April 1956 and equipped with the RF - 84 Thunderflash , the jets being received directly from the factory for use in this mission . Was expanded and the organization in Memphis was upgraded to a Group level on 1 April 1961 , the squadron being assigned to the new 164th Military Airlift Group . Was realigned to becoming a strategic transport unit under Military Air Transport Service , being equipped with C - 97 Stratofreighters . Conversion to this aircraft brought a worldwide mission with operations to such places as Europe , Japan , South America , Australia and South Vietnam . During May 1966 , the unit set numerous records , to include 10 round trips to Southeast Asia and 1702 flying hours in one month , all accomplished primarily dedicated part - time personnel . May 1967 brought the introduction of the C - 124 Globemaster , affectionately known as " Old Shakey " . Along with Old Shakey , the squadron ' s personnel performed numerous humanitarian missions as well as routine support to Military Airlift Command ( MAC ) . The C - 124 was given a well - deserved rest in 1974 when she was retired from military service , reluctantly giving up her berth to the C - 130 Hercules . The C - 130s were transferred to other units in April 1992 when the unit received the first of eight C - 141 Starlifter aircraft . In 2004 , the squadron retired the C - 141 and began operating its current aircraft , the C - 5 Galaxy .