| Unit Name: | 97th Airlift Squadron |
| Dates: | 1943–1945; 1947–1951; 1952–1957; 1957–present |
| Role: | Airlift |
| Command Structure: | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison: | Joint Base Lewis-McChord |
| Nickname: | Fightin' Roos |
| Battles: | European Theater of Operations Desert Storm[1] |
| Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 97th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 26 August 1960) |
The 97th Airlift Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve squadron, assigned to the 446th Operations Group, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is a USAF Associate Unit of the active duty 4th Airlift Squadron, 62d Airlift Wing.
The squadron operates McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force 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 dropped 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 . 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.
The squadron has conducted worldwide airlift including Supporting contingency operations in Panama, 1989–1990, and in southwest Asia, 1990–1991.
Activated on 1 July 1943
Inactivated on 18 October 1945
Redesignated 97th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 27 June 1949
Ordered to active duty on 1 May 1951
Inactivated on 4 May 1951
Activated in the reserve on 15 June 1952
Inactivated on 1 July 1957
Activated in the Reserve on 16 November 1957
Ordered to active duty on 28 October 1962
Relieved from active duty on 28 November 1962
Redesignated 97th Air Transport Squadron, Heavy on 1 December 1965
Redesignated 97th Military Airlift Squadron on 1 January 1966
Ordered to active duty on 26 January 1968
Relieved from active duty on 2 June 1969
Redesignated 97th Military Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 25 July 1969
Redesignated 97th Airlift Squadron (Associate) on 1 February 1992
Redesignated 97th Airlift Squadron on 1 October 1994[1]