OUA 1964 – Page 6

 

 

 

We considered their contributions to the extension of tactical air doctrine

of sufficient stature to warrant recommendation for a United States military

decoration which was subsequently approved.

 

 

 

          k.   "SUNDAY PUNCH" was the code name given the joint exercise mission

flown by this unit in June 1963 to Germany.  Three crews were TDY 12 days,

logging 135:50 hours in 32 sorties while hauling 49 passengers and 73,490

pounds of opportune airlift cargo.  The main reason for the mission was a

joint Army-Air Force airlift operation which was completely weathered out.

This squadron was also assigned three aircraft delivery and/or pickup missions

during the January through June period.  Crew E-004 departed on 25 February

for Naha, Okinawa, arriving back at Robbins AFB on 18 March for a total of

22 days TDY, logging 74;35 hours, 19 sorties, hauling 154 passengers and

15,500 pounds of cargo.  Crew F-014 departed on 20 April to Naha, arriving

back at Robbins on 6 May for a total of 17 days temporary duty, logging

67:55 hours in 13 sorties, hauling 39 passengers and 11,000 pounds of cargo.

Crew F-007 departed Robbins on 7 May for Naha, arriving back at Robbins on

25 May for a total of 19 days TDY, logging 69;25 hours, in 16 sorties, haul-

ing 8 passengers and 10,800 pounds of cargo.  One of the most interesting

missions flown by the 17th TGS was the European Support of the famed

"Thunderbirds."  Crew E-011 departed Dyess on 26 May to Nellis Air Force

Base for onload of personnel and cargo and proceeded to Europe.  The itiner-

ary took the crew through Germany, France, Italy, Libya, Spain, England, and

Luxemborg.  A total of 92:45 hours were logged in 38 sorties with a load of

10,500 pounds and 22 passengers being harried on each flight.  The mission

was completed on 4 July with a total of 40 days away from the home station.

The total volume of all missions flown by the 17th Squadron under a special

or miscellaneous category from 1 January through 30 June numbered 292 sorties

which airlifted 1311 passengers and dropped 196 paratroops; 1,026,089 pounds

of cargo were ground delivered and 47,369 pounds of air delivery cargo were

dropped.

 

 

 

          1.   The United States Army support missions flown by this unit during

this six month period were primarily of a scheduled nature and do not in-

clude any of the special joint maneuvers discussed above.  A total of 786:20

hours were flown in 299 sorties which air landed 1275 troop passengers and

air dropped 4082 paratroops. 538,664 pounds of cargo were delivered on the

ground and 190,331 pounds were dropped by air delivery.  In order to upgrade

new personnel and maintain a current training status, the 17th Squadron was

assigned a few missions for local, training and over-water navigational flights.

In this connection 700:40 hours were logged in 178 sorties, carrying 73 pas-

sengers, dropping 13 personnel and 69,580 pounds of air delivered heavy

equipment cargo.  A combined total of the operational activity of the 17th

Troop Carrier Squadron saw it flying 3890 hours for roughly 1300 effective

sorties.  It transported 3840 troop passengers and air dropped 4300 para-

troops.  It air landed 7,600,000 pounds of cargo and air dropped another

247,500 pounds.  Considering that its average personnel strength during this

period was 68 officers and 52 airman (including it's command administrative

staff) and that it maintained 19 combat ready aircrews plus one in training,

the work load successfully accommodated by this dedicated corps assumes real

perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

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