773 TAS

• Origins in WWII: The 773rd Troop Carrier Squadron (later 773rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, 773 TAS) was first activated during World War II in 1943, flying C-47 Skytrains in the European Theater. • D-Day Contributions: The unit participated in the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944, dropping paratroopers and towing gliders for the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The 773rd received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its role in the Normandy operations, reflecting its extraordinary heroism under fire. • Post-war Inactivation and Reactivation: The squadron was inactivated after WWII, but reactivated during the Cold War as part of the U.S. Air Force's growing tactical airlift capabilities. • C-130 Hercules Era: The 773 TAS became known for flying the versatile C-130 Hercules, a mainstay of tactical airlift worldwide. • Vietnam War Service: The squadron was deployed to Southeast Asia, where it conducted airlift missions, including resupply, troop transport, and medical evacuations, often under hostile conditions. • Operation Desert Storm: Members of the 773 TAS participated in airlift operations during the Gulf War, supporting coalition forces with logistics and troop movements. • Airbase Assignments: The squadron was based at several notable airbases over its history, including Ardmore AFB (Oklahoma), Sewart AFB (Tennessee), and Dyess AFB (Texas). • Humanitarian Missions: The 773 TAS conducted numerous humanitarian missions, delivering relief supplies to disaster-stricken areas around the globe. • Legacy and Inactivation: The unit was inactivated in 1993, but its legacy continues through its contributions to tactical airlift history and its impact on U.S. Air Force operations.