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313th Airlift Squadron [313th AS]

Constituted as the 313th Troop Carrier Squadron October 23, 1943, at Sedalia Army Airfield, MO, the squadron was activated November 1 1943. As part of the 349th Troop Carrier Group, the squadron soon transferred to the European Theater. The 313th TCS was located at Barkston, England, and later at Roye/Army Airfield, France, where it participated in aerial transportation flying the C-53 and C-47. Following World War II, the unit was deactivated in September 1946. It was activated into the Reserve in 1949.

Following a short recall to active service in 1951, the squadron was re-designated as the 313th Fighter-Bomber Squadron May 26, 1952. Located at Hamilton AFB, CA, it flew the T-6, F-51, T-28, T-33, and F-80 as part of the 349th Fighter/Bomber Group.

Re-designated as the 313th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) Sept. 1, 1957, the unit transferred to Portland International Airport, Ore. The squadron flew the C-46 and the C-119, Flying Boxcar, and in September 1958 flew the first Reserve mission outside the continental United States taking an R-33 engine to Elmendorf AFB, AK. The squadron was ordered to active service for a month in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. It became part of the 939th Troop Carrier Group in 1963 and was re-designated the 313th Tactical Airlift Squadron July 1, 1967.

On July 25, 1968, the squadron transferred to McChord AFB where it was re-designated as the 313th Military Airlift Squadron as part of the 939th Military Airlift Group (Associate). At McChord, it flew the C-141A Starlifter. With a global strategic mission, the 313th aircrews saw much service providing airlift to Southeast Asia.

The 313th Military Airlift Squadron was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in June 1970 and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm in January 1973. A second Air Force Outstanding Unit Award was awarded in June 1974 following participation in Operation Nickel Grass in defense of Israel. It became part of the 446th Military Airlift Squadron at McChord in July 1973.

The 313th Airlift Squadron flies the C-141B Starlifter cargo aircraft.

The mission of the 313th AS consists of airlift, aerial delivery and aerial refueling on a worldwide basis. The majority of the airlift mission is conducted in the Pacific and Alaska; however, missions are also flown to Europe, Africa, and South America.