618th Military Airlift Support Squadron

• Activation Date: The 618th Military Airlift Support Squadron (MASS) was first activated in 1966 to provide logistical and operational support for airlift missions during the height of the Cold War. • Strategic Location: The squadron was stationed at Torrejon Air Base, Spain, making it a crucial hub for U.S. military logistics and airlift operations in Europe and the Mediterranean. • Vietnam War Support: The 618th MASS played a vital role in supporting airlift operations related to the Vietnam War, ensuring that personnel, equipment, and supplies could be rapidly moved between continents. • Operation Name Change: In 1992, the squadron was redesignated as the 618th Airlift Support Squadron, reflecting changes in its mission and organizational structure following the end of the Cold War. • Key Aircraft Supported: The squadron provided ground and logistical support for a range of U.S. Air Force airlifters, including the C-5 Galaxy, C-141 Starlifter, and C-130 Hercules. • Humanitarian Missions: Besides military operations, the 618th MASS contributed to several humanitarian relief missions, coordinating the delivery of aid to disaster-stricken areas in Africa and Europe. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the squadron's position in Spain allowed for rapid response to potential crises in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. • Air Mobility Command: The unit was aligned under Military Airlift Command (MAC), which later became part of Air Mobility Command (AMC), the USAF's primary provider of global air mobility. • Deactivation: The 618th MASS was inactivated in 1994 following the reduction of U.S. military presence in Europe and restructuring of airlift support operations. • Legacy: The 618th MASS is remembered for its professionalism and adaptability during a period of rapid technological and geopolitical change, ensuring the success of both military and humanitarian missions.