135th Air Resupply Squadron

  September 1955 to 2013

  United States of America

TYPE: USAF unit

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS: Harbor Field, MD & Warfield ANGB, MD

OTHER NAMES: 135^th Air Resupply Squadron (1955-1958), 135^th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) (1958-1963), 135^th Air Commando Squadron (1963-1968), 135^th Special Operations Squadron (1968-1971), 135^th Tactical Air Support Squadron (1971-1977), 135^th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1977-1992), 135^th Airlift Squadron (1992-2013)

The 135^th Air Resupply Squadron was activated by the Maryland Air National Guard (RIANG) and received Federal recognition on 10 September 1955. The bulk of its manpower came from the Maryland-based 104^th Fighter Squadron. Its mission was unconventional and psychological warfare, involving single-ship, low-level flying in and out of remote airstrips both day and night.

The 135^th was equipped initially equipped with four C-46D's, and gradually transitioned to mostly Grumman SA-16 Albatrosses. In August 1956, the 135^th traveled to Savannah, GA. for their first summer encampment. This was a familiar spot for the former 104^th unit members and required a minimum of planning due to the unit's knowledge of the local area. All three of the new Air Resupply Squadrons on the east coast were also at Savannah for their first camps. They integrated the support functions for efficiency but the operations, maintenance, and intelligence shops operated separately. The 135^th underwent its second annual federal inspection by the Air Force, and the group was rated satisfactory.

In July 1957, the 135^th attended camp at Stewart AFB, TN with 378 officers and airmen, four SA-16's and five C-46's. During this encampment, the support units (except maintenance) were integrated with the regulars on base. Following the death of 135^th Group Commander Sam Souders in a 1956 Albatross accident, Maj. Victor Kilkowski was named Group Commander and Maj. Wilford "Wimpy" Davis was selected as 135^th Squadron Commander. Sam Souders, the first commander of the 135^th, was only able to see the initial development of his unit as he and two other crew members were killed in the crash of their Albatross into the Chesapeake Bay during a water landing attempt. Landing on water under hazy skies and calm water conditions was an extremely hazardous operation as the height above the water is very difficult to judge. This appeared to be the cause of this accident in which the aircraft hit the water at too high a rate of descent. The impact on the water caused the nose gear doors to open and the resulting forces split the aircraft open. Maj. Souders, Capt. Paul Shelton and Amn. Louis Florey were killed as the plane sank into the waters of the bay. T/Sgt. Merrick Stecker and Amn. Robert Szczechowiak were able to escape the sinking plane through the rear of the fuselage, but despite heroic efforts were unable to pull the front crew out of the craft before it disappeared under the surface of the Chesapeake Bay.

The 135^th was reorganized on 10 October 1958 and renamed 135^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium. At the time there were 67 officers and 429 airmen assigned and the unit was still growing. By then, the squadron had retired its last Commando and had transitioned to an all-Albatross fleet of 10 aircraft.

September 1955 to ca 1958

The 135^th was equipped with small a fleet of C-46D's, until they were replaced by the Grumman SA-16 Albatross.

• Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando: 44-77537, 44-77625, 44-77674