Lockheed C-130 Hercules Composite
by Arthur Eggers
Title
Lockheed C-130 Hercules Composite
Artist
Arthur Eggers
Medium
Digital Art - Color Print
Description
The 40th Airlift Squadron was originally activated in February 1942 as part of the 317th Troop Carrier Group. Flying C-47 "Skytrains" at Duncan Field, San Antonio Texas, they were known as the 40th Transport Squadron. In July of that year they became the 40th Troop Carrier Squadron. After training for the remainder of the year at several bases throughout the south, the 40th moved to Garbutt Field, Australia in Jan of 1943. Here they flew their first missions in support of World War II, carrying infantry troops into combat areas, providing aerial resupply and evacuating wounded personnel. It was during this time that the squadron received their first Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). In 1948, having transitioned to C-54 aircraft, the 40th moved to Wiesbaden, West Germany to support the Berlin Airlift. After nine years, another aircraft transition (C-119 "Flying Boxcars") and several stations throughout Germany, the squadron was assigned to Evreux, Field France in 1957. The 317th Group was redesignated the 317th Troop Carrier Wing. And it was at this time that the 40th began receiving the aircraft that they have become most known for and are currently flying, the C-130. During the time period spent in France, the 40th aided thousands of earthquake victims in Italy, Greece, Syria, Iraq, Morocco, India, Pakistan, and Yugoslavia. The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. Capable of takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft. The versatile airframe has found uses in a variety of other roles, including as a gunship, for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol and aerial firefighting. It is the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. Over 40 models and variants of the Hercules serve with more than 50 nations. The 40th Airlift Squadron, Nicknamed the Screaming Eagles, it is one of the most decorated airlift units in the U.S. Air Force.
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February 22nd, 2015
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