About this Unit
The 608th Military Airlift Support Squadron (MASS) was a United States Air Force unit assigned to provide vital airlift support operations during the Cold War era. Activated in the mid-1960s, the squadron was stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where it played a key role in supporting Military Airlift Command (MAC) flights throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The 608th MASS provided ground servicing, logistics, and passenger support for transient airlift missions, ensuring rapid and reliable movement of personnel and cargo. The unit was inactivated in the early 1990s as part of broader Air Force restructuring following the end of the Cold War.
Historical Facts
• Origins: The 608th Military Airlift Support Squadron (MASS) was activated on 8 January 1966 to provide vital airlift support during the Vietnam War era.
• Location: The unit was based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, serving as a critical logistics and airlift hub for United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).
• Role: The 608th MASS specialized in supporting Military Airlift Command (MAC) aircraft, coordinating refueling, maintenance, cargo, and passenger operations for transiting airlift missions.
• Vietnam War Support: During the Vietnam War, the 608th MASS played a key role in facilitating the flow of troops and materiel from the United States to Southeast Asia via Europe.
• Humanitarian Missions: The squadron was instrumental in supporting humanitarian airlifts, including relief for earthquake victims in Iran in 1968 and other emergencies throughout Europe and the Middle East.
• Operation Nickel Grass: In 1973, the 608th MASS supported the U.S. airlift to Israel during the Yom Kippur War, helping ensure rapid delivery of crucial military supplies.
• Distinguished Unit Citation: The squadron earned recognition for its outstanding logistical performance and support during periods of international crisis.
• Aircraft Supported: The 608th MASS routinely handled a variety of aircraft, including the C-141 Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy, and later the C-17 Globemaster III.
• Reorganization: In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as part of Air Force restructuring, the 608th MASS was inactivated, and its functions were absorbed by other air mobility units at Ramstein AB.
• Legacy: The 608th MASS is remembered for its professionalism, efficiency, and pivotal role in enabling U.S. and allied airlift operations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East during the Cold War era.
