History of the 328th Airlift Squadron

As of 2 April 1998

     The 328th Airlift Squadron traces its Lineage back to the 3rdCombat Cargo Squadron, First Combat Cargo Group, activated on 15 April 1944 at Bowmen Field, Kentucky and flying C-47 aircraft. Know as the "Lucky Third" by their sister Squadrons because of an outstanding safety record, they deployed to India in August 1944 to support combat operations in Burma. The unit moved to China shortly before the end of WWII. On 29 September 1945 the unit was redesignated the 328th Troop Carrier Squadron while its parent unit was redesignated the 512th Troop Carrier Wing. Prior to being deactivated in December of 1945, the unit earned a Distinguished Unit Citation and four campaign streamers.

     The 328th TCS was reactivated in the Reserve in 1948 at Reading, PA again as part of the 512th TCG and was activated during the Korean conflict from 15 March 1951 to 1 April 1951.

     Beginning on 14 June 1952, the Squadron flew C-47 aircraft at New Castle County Airport, Delaware. They moved to Paine Field, Everett Washington on 16 November 1957 and then to Niagara Falls, New York on 25 March 1958 where they converted to C-119 aircraft.

     On 28 October 1962, along with its parent wing, the 512th, the Squadron was recalled to active duty at home station for a period of 30 days during the Cuban missle crisis.

     As part of a Reserve wide reorganization, the 914 Troop Carrier Group was created and activated as the new parent unit for the 328th on 11 February 1963.  The 914^th emblem includes a horseshoe which presumably represents its link to the original emblem of the "Lucky Third" and the 328th

     The 328th TCS was redesignated the 328th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 July 1967 and converted to C-130A aircraft on 12 December 1970 which they continued to fly until they converted to C-130E aircraft on 21 June 1986.

     From 4 October 1990 to 11 April 1991 the 328th was recalled to active duty and deployed to the United Arab Emirates in support of Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm.

     Shortly after returning to Niagara Falls, the Squadron converted to new C-130H3 aircraft and received an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

     Since then the Squadron has supported numerous "real - world" airlift missions at home, in Somolia, Bosnia, Haiti, and in Central and South America.

     In June of 1996, a 328th crew was awarded the BEST AIRDROP CREW honors at the world - wide airlift Rodeo at McChord AFB, Washington.

     To date the unit has amassed over 130,000 mishap free flying hours. The legacy continues.....

    I am looking for former members of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group,  1st, Combat Cargo Group, 2nd Combat Cargo Group and the 4th Combat Cargo Group.  In fact I would like to hear from anyone who flew over the Hump during WW II, or flew any Combat Cargo Missions at any time (Berlin Air-Lift, Korea, etc) 

Please e-mail comment, suggestions, corrections,etc to: bill@comcar.org

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