778th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium

  December 1952 to December 1958

  United States of America

TYPE: USAF unit

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS:  Lawson AFB, GA (1952-1954), Pope AFB, NC (1954-1958)

FORMER NAME: 778^th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy (deactivated 1945)

SUBSEQUENT NAME: 778^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault (redesignated 1958)

The Squadron was redesignated from a previous bombardment squadron on 15 December 1952 and reactivated at Lawson AFB, GA on 1 February 1953, assigned to the newly constituted 464^th Troop Carrier Wing. It replaced the 73^rd Troop Carrier Squadron, a reserve unit that had been called to active duty for the Korean War with its parrent 434^th Troop Carrier Wing. The 73^rd Squadron was in the process of transitioning from the Commando to the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar when the 778^th Squadron took over its personnel and aircraft - a mix of C-46's and C-119's. In September 1954, the Squadron moved to Pope AFB, NC where it was colocated with the Army's 82^nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. During its time at Pope, a major period of facility expansion occurred. The main runway, the taxiways, and the ramp were all expanded to support the 464^th Wing's Flying Boxcar operations. Commandos were retired in 1954.

The Squadron was redesignated 778^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault on 1 December 1958.

1953 to 1954

• Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando: 44-77578