OUA
1964 – Page 6 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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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