17th Troop Carrier Squadron Receives

AF Outstanding Unit Award

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