78th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium

  June 1949 to May 1961

  United States of America

TYPE: USAF unit

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS:  Miami, FL (1949-1955), Orlando AFB, FL (1955-1957), Bates Field, AL (1959-1961)

FORMER NAME: 78^th Troop Carrier Squadron (before redesignation 1949)

SUBSEQUENT NAME: 78^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Heavy (redesignated 1961)

The Squadron was redesignated from a WWII troop carrier unit on 26 June 1949, still assigned to the 435^th Troop Carrier Group, which also received the suffix "Medium" on that same date. It trained on Commandos out of Miami, FL under the supervision of the active duty 2585^th Air Force Reserve Training Center. It was ordered into active service in March 1951 as a result of the Korean War, forming part of Tactical Air Command's 18^th Air Force. The Squadron's initial mission was to train Commando aircrews for service in Korea, but it also used some Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars from 1951.

The unit deployed twice from Miami, FL while on active duty: to Laurinburg-Maxton AFB, NC from 21 July until 1 September 1951 and to Grenier AFB, NH from 2 January to 3 March 1952. It was relieved from active duty and inactivated on 1 December 1952 and its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the regular 746^th Troop Carrier Squadron, which was activated the same day. The squadron was activated as a reserve unit the same day at the same station, but with the personnel and equipment of the inactivating 814^th Troop Carrier Squadron. In the reserve, the squadron once again flew the Commando.

The Squadron was finally redesignated 78^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Heavy on 8 May 1961 when it converted to the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II.

1949 to 1957

• Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando: 44-77544