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201st Airlift Squadron

201st Airlift Squadron
201st AS C-38A and C-40C in flight.
Active20 June 1992-Present (actually 1954, redesignated in 1992)
Country United States
Allegiance District of Columbia
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleAirlift
Part ofDistrict of Columbia Air National Guard
Garrison/HQJoint Base Andrews, Camp Springs, Maryland
Nickname(s)"Hoku"
Motto(s)"Capital Guardians: Proven, Vigilant…Ready!"
Insignia
201st Airlift Squadron emblem

The 201st Airlift Squadron flies Boeing C-40 Clipper. It is a unit of the District of Columbia Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 113th Wing. [1]

Mission

The 201st Airlift Squadron provides short notice worldwide transportation for the Executive Branch, Congressional Members, Department of Defense officials and high-ranking U.S. and foreign dignitaries using the C-40C aircraft.[citation needed]

History

The history of the 201st Airlift Squadron began in 1946 with the activation of "H" Flight, HQ, District of Columbia Air National Guard. Operating out of Hangar 15 on the East side of Andrews Air Force Base, "H" Flight's assortment of B-26, C-47, C-53 and F-51 aircraft provided passenger airlift capabilities to the Air National Guard.

In 1954 "H" Flight was re-designated as Detachment 1, HQ, District of Columbia Air National Guard. Over the next 38 years Detachment 1 employed more than 20 different types of aircraft to provide worldwide airlift support for both military and civilian passengers. Detachment 1 provided airlift support for large military teams as well as small command groups. The detachment also provided transportation for distinguished passengers such as the vice president, congressional and cabinet members, service secretaries and local civic leaders. In 1984, Detachment 1 relocated to its current location on the West side of Andrews Air Force Base.

On 20 June 1992, Detachment 1 was re-designated as the 201st Airlift Squadron, District of Columbia Air National Guard. Today the 201st Airlift Squadron continues to carry on the work that was started with "H" Flight in 1946. The continuing efforts to upgrade and expand the squadron's worldwide capabilities led to the acquisition of C-38As in 1998 and C-40Cs (Boeing 737) in 2002. The 201st retired their C-38A fleet in 2015, handing the aircraft off to the United States Navy.[2]

The events of 11 September 2001 marked a turning point in the history of the squadron. The Global War on Terrorism brought a new emphasis on worldwide VIP travel. Since that date, the 201st Airlift Squadron's operational tempo has increased dramatically, with the majority of missions overseas. With its current complement of C-40Cs, the squadron provides worldwide air transportation for the executive branch, congressional members, Department of Defense and high-ranking U.S. and foreign dignitaries.

Assignments

Major command

Previous designations

  • 201st Airlift Squadron (1995–Present)

[3]

Bases stationed

Aircraft operated

The C-47A was flown from 1951 to 1967.
A B-26, flown 1951 to 1972.
The T-33A was flown until 1987.

[4]

Notes

  1. ^ "Factsheets > C-40B/C USAF" Archived 27 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "D.C. Guard Retires C-38A Fleet". Air Force Magazine. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  3. ^ Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
  4. ^ World Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3

References

  • 201st Airlift Squadrons Historical Archives, Menoher Drive, Andrews AFB MD.
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