The 815th was established in 1943, as a bombardment squadron
(heavy) flying Boeing B-17G aircraft.After completing training in Florida
the squadron was deployed to Sterparone, Italy
(near Foggia) where it flew bombing
missions throughout Germany
and occupied Europe, including raids on the Ploesti Oil Fields, until the war in Europe
ended in May, 1945; earning two Distinguished Unit Citations in the process.Shortly thereafter
the squadron redeployed to Pisa, Italy
where the aircraft were stripped of their armament and flooring and seats
compatable with transport operations installed.The next few months were spent ferrying 5th Army passengers and cargo
from Italy to North
Africa.The squadron was
inactivated in September, 1945.
The 815th Troop carrier Squadron was activated at Ashiya,
Japanon January
1, 1953; this time equipped with the C-119 "Flying Boxcar",
a twin-engine; twin boom medium transport.
The famous red "Flying Jennie" was adopted as the squadron mascot at this time. The next few years were spent shuttling personnel and cargo throughout Asia
- initially in support of the Korean war and later supporting other cold war
and humanitarian activities.Operations
in support of the Korean war involved an historic 1953 movement of a full army division from japan to Korea, all in a two-week period, and other front line operations that were frequently hazardous. In 1955, the 815th staged the first Troop Carrier mobility exercise in history - two weeks operating from an unprepared airstrip at Futema, Okinawa.
In 1958, the 815th traded in its aging C-119s for the then
state of the art C-130A Hercules.
C-130 operations at Ashiya ceased in 1960 and, on May 16, 1960, the first 815th C-130 landed at the squadron's new home, Tachikawa, Japan.The squadron continued to provide inter-theater airlift until 1964 when the emphasis began to gradually shift to operations in support of combat operations in the Republic of Viet Nam.Between 1966 and its inactivation in 1969 the squadron provided combat airlift support from Cam Ranh Bay and Saigon, Vietnam.Many missions were flown into demanding environments under very hazardous conditions, and the Squadron performed them with distinction.Other inter-theater requirements were also supported and it was a very busy period. On Monday, December 8, 1969, the order to inactivate the 815th was published and the squadron went out of business again; only to be resurrected in 1973.
In April, 1973 the 815th Tactical Airlift Squadron (AFRES) was activated at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi and equipped with C-130E aircraft. In 1983 the squadron was assigned the weather reconnaissance mission which it performed with distinction until 1992, when it reverted to the tactical airlift role which it continues to perform. The squadron participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama and ongoing operations in the Middle East. In May, 1999 the 815th became the first reserve forces unit to be equipped with the C-130J Super Hercules.