12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron
C-131 Samaritan at the Air Mobility Command Museum
Active1942–1944; 1944–1946; 1956–1969
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFerrying, testing, aeromedical evacuation
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron emblem
162 Liaison Sq emblem[note 1][1]
11th Airlift Squadron emblem[note 2]

The 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron in an inactive United States Air Force unit. From 1956 through 1969, it flew aeromedical evacuation missions from McGuire Air Force Base. In 1985, the squadron was consolidated with two World War II units, but remained inactive. The consolidated squadrons were the 12th Ferrying Squadron, which ferried aircraft to Europe and from factories to flying units from 1942 and 1944; and the 162d Liaison Squadron, which tested equipment and developed tactics for liaison units between 1944 and 1946.

History

Ferrying

The first predecessor of the squadron, the 12th Air Corps Ferrying Squadron, was activated on 8 April 1942 at Logan Field, Massachusetts, but moved the following month to New Castle Army Air Base, Delaware. While stationed in the Northeast, the squadron was primarily involved with delivering aircraft to the European Theater of Operations. In early 1943, the squadron moved to Love Field, Texas, and concentrated on ferrying aircraft from manufacturers to operational and training units. At the end of March 1944, Air Transport Command (ATC) reorganized its units in the United States under the Base Unit system, and the 12th was disbanded and with all other ATC units at Love Field was reorganized into the 555th AAF Base Unit. It was reconstituted and consolidated with the other predecessor units in September 1985.[2]

Liaison tactics development

Sikorsky R-6 at the USAF museum

The squadron's second predecessor is the 162nd Liaison Squadron, which was activated at Aiken Army Air Field, South Carolina on 15 May 1944. Like most liaison squadrons, it was equipped with the Stinson L-5 Sentinel. The squadron developed tactics and tested equipment for liaison units in the Army Air Forces. In particular, during 1945, it tested the suitability of Sikorsky helicopters for the liaison mission. In December 1945, it moved to Brooks Field, Texas, where it operated with the 69th Reconnaissance Group through July. The squadron inactivated on 3 October 1946 and was consolidated with the other predecessor units in September 1985.[1][2]

Medical evacuation

The 12th Aeromedical Transport Squadron was activated at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey on 8 November 1956,[3] when the 1st Aeromedical Transport Group, which was stationed at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, replaced the 1706th Air Transport Group.[4] The group was responsible for aeromedical evacuation missions throughout the United States. The 12th Squadron was equipped with Convair C-131 Samaritans and was primarily responsible for evacuation missions in the northeastern United States. In June 1964, Military Air Transport Service (MATS) reorganized its medical evacuation squadrons under the 1405th Aeromedical Transport Wing, stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.[5] In 1965, mission responsibility expanded to included Newfoundland and Labrador.[6]

When Military Airlift Command (MAC) replaced MATS in January 1966, the 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing replaced the 1405th Wing and the squadron became the 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron.[7] It continued its mission until inactivating in June 1969[3] as the more capable Douglas C-9 Nightingale permitted consolidation of the medical evacuation mission in the United States into one location, Scott Air Force Base.

The three squadrons were consolidated into one in September, 1975 retaining the 12th Airlift designation, but have remained inactive.[2]

Lineage

12th Ferrying Squadron
  • Constituted as the 12th Air Corps Ferrying Squadron on 18 February 1942
Activated on 8 April 1942
Redesignated 12th Ferrying Squadron c. 12 May 1943
Disbanded on 31 March 1944
  • Reconstituted and consolidated with the 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron and 162d Liaison Squadron as the 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron on 19 September 1985[2]
162nd Liaison Squadron
  • Constituted as the 162nd Liaison Squadron on 11 May 1944
Activated on 15 May 1944
Inactivated on 3 October 1946[1]
  • Consolidated with the 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron and 12th Ferrying Squadron as the 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron on 19 September 1985[2]
12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron
  • Constituted 18 October 1956 as the 12th Aeromedical Transport Squadron, Light
Activated on 8 November 1956[4][3]
Redesignated 12th Aeromedical Transport Squadron on 25 July 1964
Redesignated 12th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 8 June 1969[3]
  • Consolidated with the 12th Ferrying Squadron and 162d Liaison Squadron on 19 September 1985[2]

Assignments

Stations

  • Logan Field, Massachusetts, 8 April 1942
  • New Castle Army Air Base, Delaware, c. 29 May 1942
  • Love Field, Texas, c. 13 January 1943 – 31 March 1944
  • Aiken Army Air Field, South Carolina, 15 May 1944[1]
  • Lafayette Airport, Louisiana, 13 July 1944[1]
  • Alexandria Army Air Field, Louisiana, 14 September 1945[1]
  • Brooks Field, Texas, 6 December 1945 – 3 October 1946[1]
  • McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, 8 November 1956 – 8 June 1969[9]

Aircraft

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award8 November 1956–31 December 195712th Aeromedical Transport Squadron[10]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1958–31 December 196312th Aeromedical Transport Squadron[10]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 June 1964–7 January 196612th Aeromedical Transport Squadron[10]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
American Theater without inscription8 April 1942 – 31 March 194412th Ferrying Squadron
American Theater without inscription15 May 1944 – 2 March 1946162nd Liaison Squadron[1]


References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ↑ Approved 21 March 1945.
  2. ↑ The 11th, 12th, and 13th Aeromedical Transport Squadrons all used patches with this emblem with the squadron designation on a scroll. See examples at Eric's USAF Patches
Citations
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons
  3. 1 2 3 4 See Mueller, p. 415
  4. 1 2 3 "Abstract, History 1 Aeromedical Transport Group Jul-Dec 1956". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 "Abstract, History 1405 Aeromedical Transport Wing Jun-Dec 1964". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Abstract, History 1405 Aeromedical Transport Wing Jul-Dec 1965". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "Abstract, History 375 Aeromedical Airlift Wing Jan-Jul 1966". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  8. ↑ Ravenstein, pp.199-200
  9. ↑ Mueller, p. 415
  10. 1 2 3 AF Pamphlet 900-2, p. 100

Bibliography

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