16th Airlift Squadron

The 16 AS is a 250 person strong squadron of pilots, navigators, engineers, and loadmasters that provides special operations low level (SOLL) airlift capability for the National Command Authority. Maintains uniquely qualified combat aircrews trained in the use of enhanced night vision equipment and specially modified aircraft for unconventional warfare ops. Delivers the sting of US special forces. Maintains continuous JCS-directed alert force for global contingencies. Provides the nation's rapid deployment airlift/airdrop capability. Selectively manned unit.

Mission:
The 16 AS continues to provide the nation’s only long-range, rapid-response, special operations low level (SOLL) capability. Responding to National Command Authority taskings, the squadron utilizes uniquely qualified aircrews, trained in the use of enhanced night vision equipment and specially modified aircraft. These crews rapidly deploy and insert special operations ground forces into blacked-out, austere airfields/drop zones and extract those ground forces upon mission completion. SOLL missions are AMC’s number one priority and the 16th is the only unit qualified to fly these missions. In addition, the 16th has figured prominently in every major AMC operation.

During Operations Phoenix Moat/Joint Endeavor the 16th flew 77 sorties, transporting humanitarian supplies, equipment, and personnel into the AOR. The 16 AS also played a critical role in the success of Combined Joint Task Force Exercise 96 air assault, Operation Big Drop III, the single largest airdrop since World War II. Squadron aircrews led both the C-141 heavy equipment and personnel formations which totaled 21 aircraft. The squadron’s 16 aircrews dropped 936 personnel and 93,400 pounds of equipment and supplies. These efforts were the driving force in the 437 AW earning an "Outstanding" on its ORI.

Aircrew upgrading/training:
In order to maintain our commitments to the JCS and the National Command Authority the 16th has completed an unprecedented 546 upgrades this year. The squadron accomplished this feat by fully utilizing 47 joint training exercise missions supporting our special operations user personnel from all four services. The 16th also plays a key role in large formation airdrop training for the 82nd Airborne Division committing, on average, two crews per month to Sacred Cow missions. Rounding out the squadron’s massive flying training regimen is approximately 15 local training/proficiency sorties per week.

Safety record:
The implementation of Operations Risk Management and the development of a corresponding risk assessment matrix was a major factor in the 5800 accident free flying hours the squadron has logged in 1996. This kind of innovation, coupled with every member of the 16th taking responsibility to be a safety officer/NCO, has led to the 16 AS amassing over 900,000 accident free flying hours, more than any other U.S. military flying unit in history.

Aircrew enhancement/retention:
The 16 AS had an increase in personnel while assuming all C-141 airdrop taskings for the 437 AW. An aggressive supply section within the squadron is responsible for ensuring that crew members receive top of the line equipment for our special mission. The continued success of airland, airdrop and special operations missions manifest themselves daily in the obvious pride and appearance of squadron personnel.

Outstanding individual/crew accomplishments:
The 16 AS team has many outstanding accomplishments in addition to those mentioned above. Major Vey and crew performed an operational survivability test of the aircrew chemical protective ensemble verifying current doctrine. Capt. Jacobson and crew tested the feasibility of an enhanced visual identification hatch (bubble hatch) for use in a tactical environment. Individual team members distinguished themselves in the following areas: Capt. Celeste Sanders, first female aircrew member in AMC to qualified to fly special operations combat missions; Capt. Michael W. Gault, AMC Instructor Pilot of the Year; Capt. Michael l. Webb, AMC nominee for the Air Force Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award; SSgt Lewis M. Stoffel, 21 AF Flight Engineer Instructor of the Year. SSgt Stoffel has also trained more than 170 personnel in the 437 OG on Self Aid/Buddy Care.

Military/civilian education:
Despite maintaining a high operations tempo, education remains a top priority for squadron members. Eight captains completed SOS and XX are enrolled in correspondence. One senior NCO and five NCOs attended their respective academies while four junior enlisted members completed ALS. Twelve enlisted members are working towards their undergraduate degree and fifty officers are enrolled in masters programs.

Base/community relations:
Personnel in the squadron play an active role in enhancing the goodwill existing with the local community. Air Expo 96 was directed by Capt Scott Musser and several others were responsible for the 5K run and all static displays. Squadron members also work with handicapped children and Happy Days & Special Times, a program for children stricken with cancer. A 16th member is on the Board of Directors for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. The squadron’s commitment to service before self, and excellence in all we do shines brightly throughout our closely knit community.

Squadron History
The history of the 16th Airlift Squadron dates back to our inception on 20 November 1940. We were constituted on that date and activated two weeks later as the 16th Transport Squadron, flying C-47's at McClellan Field, California. On 9 July 1941, the squadron moved to Portland, Oregon, where the unit completed basic training prior to entering W.W.II. On 12 June 1941, the 16th Transport Squadron moved to Westover Field, Massachusetts for 45 days of final outfitting for the War.

While at Westover field, the 16th Transport Squadron was redesignated the 16th Troop Carrier Squadron. In August 1942, the squadron moved to Ramsbury, England. While headquartered at Ramsbury, the squadron operated on detached service out of Maison Blanche, Algeria during November and December 1942. After that, the unit moved its staff, crews, and aircraft to Kairouan, Algeria, and remained there until June 1943. As the African war front changed, the 16th moved to Eldjem, Tunisia.

Then in September 1943, the 16th moved to Comiso, Sicily and went on detached service to India to assist in the re-supply of Brigadier General Merrill and his men, affectionately known as "Merrill's Marauders". It was during this Ceylon, Burma, India campaign that the squadron received its first Distinguished Unit Citation. Just prior to "D" Day, part of the 16th left India for Italy to tow gliders into France on "D" Day. In July 1944, the detached unit was joined by the remainder of the 16th TCS at Ciampino, Italy and as the European Theater closed in on Germany, part of the 16th again went on detached service to Rosignano, Italy, operating re-supply missions to Greek Partisans during September to October 1944.

At the end of the War, the 16th TCS moved as a unit to Wallerfield, Trinidad, where it stayed until being deactivated on 31 July 1945. On 19 May 1947, the 16th TCS was reactivated at Langley Field, Virginia where it stayed until September 1948. On 19 September 1950 the squadron was redesignated the 16th Troop Carrier Squadron (Assault, Light), and reactivated 5 October 1950 at Stewart AFB, Tennessee in response to the growing tensions in Korea. While at Stewart, the squadron flew the C-119, the YC-122 (the predecessor to the venerable C-123), and was the parent organization to an attached flight of H-5 and H-19 helicopters.

The squadron was renamed the 16th Troop Carrier Squadron (Assault, Fixed Wing) and moved to Ardmore AFB, Oklahoma in November 1954, remaining there until July 1955 when it was again deactivated. The 16th was redesignated the 16th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron on 14 August 1969 and was reactivated six weeks later at Stewart AFB, Tennessee.