378th Troop Carrier Squadron

378th Troop Carrier Squadron

Fairchild C-123B-14-FA Provider 55-4555
Active 1942–1958
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Troop Carrier
Engagements
American Defense Service
Insignia
378th Troop Carrier Squadron Emblem

The 378th Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 60th Troop Carrier Wing. It was inactivated at Dreux-Louvilliers Air Base, France on 25 September 1958.

History

Established as a B-25 Mitchell medium bombardment squadron in early 1942; trained under Third Air Force. Assigned to Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina as first an Operational Training Unit (OTU) for newly formed squadrons, then in 1943 becoming a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for pilots and aircrew on the B-25 prior to the personnel being assigned overseas to combat units. Inactivated on 1 May 1944 with the phaseout of B-25 training.

Reactivated in 1949 in the Air Force Reserve as a Troop Carrier Squadron Programmed for C-46 Commandoes, never manned or equipped. Inactivated in 1951.

Reactivated in 1955 as a Tactical Air Command C-123 Provider Troop Carrier Squadron, being one of the first squadrons being equipped with the aircraft. Deployed to France in 1956 to reinforce NATO and the United States Air Forces in Europe. Flew transport and special air missions (SAM) throughout France, West Germany, Italy, Spain and England. Flew several Dispersed Operating Base supply missions and reduced the need for road convoys. However cost of operations were high and USAFE decided that the C-123s were worth the expense. Aircraft, equipment and personnel returned to Ardmore AFB during July and August 1958 where aircraft and personnel reassigned to squadrons of the 463d Troop Carrier Wing at Sewart AFB, Tennessee. Squadron inactivated as a paper unit in September 1958.

Lineage

Emblem of the World War II 378th Bombardment Squadron
Activated on 15 March 1942
Disbanded on 1 May 1944
Activated in the reserve on 26 June 1949
Inactivated on 28 January 1950
Activated on 8 July 1955
Redesignated 378th Troop Carrier Squadron (Assault) on 15 July 1958
Inactivated on 25 September 1958

Assignments

Attached to 60th Troop Carrier Wing, 15 November 1956 – 11 March 1957

Stations

Aircraft

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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