778th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 778th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force squadron activated after 3 May 2002, being engaged in the Global War on Terrorism. Its current status is undetermined.
778th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron | |
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Active | 1943–1945; 1953–1971; After 2002 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Airlift |
Motto(s) | Perditam Selinuntem Liberare (Latin for 'Ready for Difficult Missions') (1958-unknown) Guarding Global Liberty |
Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
Insignia | |
Patch with 778th Tactical Airlift Squadron emblem | |
778th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem[lower-alpha 1][1] | |
Patch with 778th Bombardment Squadron emblem[2] | |
Tail Code 1968–1971[citation needed] | PG |
The squadron was first active during World War II as the 778th Bombardment Squadron. The squadron flew Consolidated B-24 Liberators in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions. Following the war, the squadron helped transport troops back to the United States.
The squadron was reactivated in 1953 as the 778th Troop Carrier Squadron, when it replaced the 73d Troop Carrier Squadron, a reserve unit that had been called to active duty for the Korean War at Lawson Air Force Base, Georgia. It moved to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, where it successively flew Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars and Fairchild C-123 Providers. It converted to Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft. It frequently deployed to other theaters, and participated in Operation Dragon Rouge and Operation Power Pack. It was inactivated on 31 August 1971, when the 40th Tactical Airlift Squadron replaced it at Pope.