17th Troop Carrier
Squadron Receives |
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AF Outstanding Unit
Award |
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The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award was
presented last week by Colonel Donald H. Lynch, 21st Composite Wing commander,
to the l7th Troop Carrier Squadron.
Lt. Col. Kenneth E. Bethe, squadron commander, accepted the award on
behalf of the unit's personnel. This is the second time that the Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award has been presented to the 17th Troop Carrier
Squadron. Col. William H. Cox, Wing
Deputy Commander for Operations, read the award citation during the
presentation. Citation
The
citation accompanying the decoration read as follows: "The 17th Troop Carrier Squadron, Alaskan
Air Command, distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service from
16 June 1964 to 31 May 1966.” |
"During this period, personnel of the 17th Troop
Carrier Squadron provided outstanding airlift support to two Distant Early
Warning Line sites on the Ice cap of Greenland, airlift of special weapons,
hazardous cargo, and passengers to and from thirteen Distant Early Warning
sites fifteen Aircraft Control and Warning sites, and fourteen major military
installations in Alaska. All operations including several military exercises
and a Department of Defense special project were completed without a single
major aircraft accident or incident.”
Devotion to Duty
“The skill, Initiative, and selfless devotion
to duty displayed by all members of the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron reflect
great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.” |
The squadron was transferred to Alaska and the Alaskan Air Command in the summer of 1964 from the Tactical Air Command. A unique capability of this organization Is its work with the
ski-equipped Lockheed C-130 "Hercules” aircraft. The 17th TCS is the only Air
Force unit to operate C-130s with skis. All logistical support Is provided by the
squadron, as part of its overall mission, to the two DYE sites on the
Greenland Ice cap more than 2,400 miles from Elmendorf. Another segment of the 17th TCS's mission is
to maintain troop carrier qualification. Each crew member must log a
specified number of training events semi-annually. In this capacity the 17th
TCS supports the operations of the two Army Airborne Companies in Alaska. The final portion of the squadron's assigned mission Is Intra-Alaska support of AC&W and communications sites with the movement of outsized and priority cargoes, aeromedical evacuation and search and rescue operations. Sourdough Sentinel
Vol. 8, No. 15 Friday, April 14, 1967 Article courtesy of: Densel K. Acheson Firebird Pilot |
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