| Unit Name: | 95th Airlift Squadron |
| Dates: | 1943–1945; 1947–1951; 1952–2016 |
| Role: | Airlift |
| Command Structure: | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Nickname: | Flying Badgers |
| Motto: | On Time, On Target |
| Battles: | Operation Overlord Operation Dragoon Operation Market Garden Battle of Bastogne[1] |
| Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 95th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 5 January 1961) |
The 95th Airlift Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last active at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, where it was assigned to the 440th Operations Group and operated Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft supporting the global reach mission worldwide.
Activated in July 1943 as an I Troop Carrier Command Douglas C-47 Skytrain Squadron. After training in the United States, at various bases, sent to Baer Field, Indiana for final equipping with aircraft, personnel and other equipment. Deployed to IX Troop Carrier Command in February 1944 during the build-up prior to the Invasion of France.
During the D-Day invasion, the squadron dropped paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy, subsequently flying numerous missions to bring in reinforcements and needed supplies. During the airborne attack on The Netherlands (Operation Market Garden, September 1944), the squadron deployed paratroops, towed gliders, and flew resupply missions. Later participated in the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The squadron supported the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge by towing gliders full of supplies near Bastogne on 27 December 1944. In addition, its units participated in the air assault across the Rhine River in early 1945 (Operation Varsity) and later flew numerous freight missions to carry gasoline, food, medicine, and other supplies to allied ground forces during the Western Allied invasion of Germany in April 1945 near Wesel. The squadron also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals. It transported displaced persons from Germany to France and Belgium after V-E Day. Remained in Europe during the summer of 1945, inactivating as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe, October 1945.
Reactivated in the reserve as a Curtiss C-46 Commando troop carrier squadron in Minneapolis, Minnesota during 1947. Was federalized as a result of the Korean War in 1951, squadron personnel and aircraft being sent to active-duty units as fillers, inactivated as an administrative unit a few days later.
Reactivated after the Korean War as a reserve fighter-bomber squadron in 1952 initially equipped with North American F-51 Mustangs, later upgraded to Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star jet aircraft.
Redesignated back to a troop carrier squadron in 1957 and moved to Milwaukee's Billy Mitchell Field. Carried out theater transport operations and supported Air Force and Army units with troop carrier missions. Was activated during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, carried Army units to South Florida in preparation of a possible invasion of Cuba. Returned Army personnel to home stations after situation was normalized and returned to reserve service.
The squadron flew airlift missions worldwide, including to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and to Southwest Asia during the Gulf War. It has also participated in training exercises, some involving the dropping or landing of airborne troops, and flew numerous humanitarian airlift missions.
Activated on 1 July 1943
Inactivated on 18 October 1945
Redesignated 95th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 27 June 1949
Ordered to active service on 1 May 1951
Inactivated on 4 May 1951
Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952
Redesignated 95th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 8 September 1957
Ordered to active service on 28 October 1962
Relieved from active service on 28 November 1962
Redesignated 95th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 July 1967
Redesignated 95th Airlift Squadron on 1 February 1992[1]
Inactivated on 30 September 2016[2]