RETURN HOME	Rev. 12/2019
The Next Generation(s) There have been many ‘Nexters’ out there expressing their interests in learning more about their parents, grandparents, and other relatives. We welcome any pictures, documents, and stories you would like to share on this website. Please email me – mileshamby@cox.net.
Where are they now? De-activation and Re-activation Nutshell Hisotries of the Units of the 315^th Troop Carrier Group
C-17 Globemaster III		315^th Troop Carrier Group (Currently operational as 315^th Airlift Wing) The 315th Airlift Wing (315 AW) is stationed at Joint Base Charleston, SC, and operates the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. If mobilized, the unit would fall under control of Air Mobility Command. Its mission is to provide and deliver global combat-ready airlift, expeditionary combat support and aeromedical evacuation personnel as a source of augmentation for the active forces in any emergency expansion of the Air Force strategic and aeromedical airlift capabilities. Originally constituted as 315th Transport Group on February 2, 1942, the unit was re-designated the 315th Troop Carrier Group in Jul 1942. The 315th Troop Carrier Group and its four Troop Carrier Squadrons (34th, 43rd, 309^th, and 310^th) were deactivated in Trinidad on 31 Jul 1945. Re-activated in 1953 under Far East Air Force in Japan. During the Korean War, the wing flew troop and cargo airlift and airdrop, leaflet drops, spray missions, air evacuation, search and rescue, and other aerial missions in theater as part of Far East Air Forces 315th Air Division.
It remained in the Far East after the war to fly transport missions and paratroop training flights in Japan, Korea, French Indo-China, and other points until December 1954, after which it was again de-activated. Reactivated in 1966 under Pacific Air Forces, the unit was assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. It engaged in special operations directly under 7^th Air Force in Saigon, operating C-123 Provider aircraft with Air Commando squadrons engaging in unconventional warfare. The unit also operated UC-123 aerial spraying aircraft for Operation Ranch Hand defoliation missions over South Vietnam. Special operations missions were phased out in 1970 and the unit continued with theater transport missions within South Vietnam. In 1971, the 315^th became a training organization for Republic of Vietnam Air Force C-123 aircrews. Inactivated in March 1972. Reactivated in 1973 as a heavy transport wing in the Air Force Reserve, operating the C-141 Starlifter aircraft, stationed alongside and using the same airframes as the active-duty 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. In the 1980s and 1990s, personnel participated in contingency and humanitarian airlift operations and exercises worldwide. In 1994, the 315^th wing conducted the first C-17 Globemaster III flight with an all-Air Force Reserve crew. It also took part in the first combined U.S. – Russian exercise that year. The unit retired its last C-141 in 2001and has flown the C-17 exclusively since.
310^th Troop Carrier Squadron (Deactivated as 310^th Airlift Squadron in 2019) Reactivated in 1949 as a reserve troop carrier squadron as part of Tactical Air Command. Equipped with C-46 Commandoes. activated during the Korean War and became a training unit for crews flying Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar assault transports in South Korea. Inactivated in 1953 after federalized activation period ended. Reactivated a year later operating variety of rotary wing helicopters. Provided helicopter support for atomic weapons tests on Bikini in the Eniwetok Atoll, February–June 1956. Inactivated when the helicopter mission was transferred to the United States Army. Reactivated again in 1963 as a Fairchild C-123 Provider combat resupply squadron, used in remote combat airfield resupply and casualty evacuation of ground forces. Deployed to South Vietnam after training and operated under 2d Air Division, Pacific Air Forces to support advisory units, primarily in Mule Train combat cargo missions in South Vietnam to support special forces in the early stages of US Involvement in the Vietnam War.		C-37A (Gulfstream) (Reassigned from 310^th AS to 309^th AS in 2019
Re-designated an Air Commando squadron in 1965 under Seventh Air Force, engaged in special operations and tactical airlift during 1965–1970 based at Phan Rang Air Base flying intra-theater combat cargo and troop carrier missions. Took over de Havilland Canada C-7 Caribou remote outpost resupply mission in 1972. Moved from Phan Rang to Tan Son Nhut in 1972 after base turned over to South Vietnamese. Remained in country supporting last combat forces in South Vietnam until inactivated in November 1972. The squadron flew airlift missions in South and Central America from 1985–1999, including support for the invasion of Panama, December 1989 – January 1990, until its disestablishment in March 1999. In 2001, the squadron was reactivated as part of the redesignated 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB, Florida, where it flew the C-37A Gulfstream V. In 2013, the unit received a CENTCOM deployment tasking to provide combat airlift to the Commander, International Security Assistance Force at Kabul International Airport. This tasking represented the DOD's first deployment of the C-37 to a combat zone. The 310 AS successfully completed two subsequent deployments that year. On 1 July 2019, the C-37As were reassigned to other bases and the squadron was deactivated a few months later on 30 September 2019
309^th Airlift Squadron (Currently operational as 309^th Airlift Squadron) Established in early 1942 as a C-47 Skytrain transport squadron under First Air Force and deactivated at the end of July 1945. Reactivated in 1949 as a reserve troop carrier squadron as part of Tactical Air Command. Equipped with C-46 Commandoes. activated during the Korean War and became a training unit for crews flying C-119 Flying Boxcar assault transports in South Korea. deactivated in 1953. Reactivated a year later operating variety of rotary wing helicopters and deactivated when the helicopter mission was transferred to the United States Army. Reactivated again in 1963 at Pope AFB as a C-123 Provider combat resupply squadron, used in remote combat airfield resupply and casualty evacuation of ground forces. Deployed to South Vietnam after training and operated under 2d Air Division, Pacific Air Forces to support advisory units, primarily in Mule Train combat cargo missions in South Vietnam to support special forces (Air Commandos) in the early stages of US Involvement in the Vietnam War. Re-designated an Air Commando squadron in 1965 under Seventh Air Force, engaged in special operations and tactical airlift during 1965-1970 based at Phan Rang AB flying intra-theater combat cargo and troop carrier missions. Inactivated as part of the Vietnamization withdrawal process in 1970. Reactivated in 2002 as a support transport squadron providing executive airlift support for Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and Commander United States Air Forces in Europe (COMUSAFE). Currently part of the 86th Airlift Wing at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, flying C37A aircraft providing executive airlift for NATO. Forthcoming – 43^rd TCS, 34th TCS, 818^th TCS, 315th
Boomers and Beyond
The 315th lives on! Many of the children -- the sons, daughters, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews -- are coming to our reunions. Some of them, as a way of 'getting in touch' with their parents and forebears, have begun collecting uniforms, photos, equipment and other memorabilia from there progenitors.			(Above) Henry Hamby, 310th TCS, and middle son Miles wearing his Dad;s old pinks 'n greens at the '98 reunion. (Left) Miles ‘Chip’ Hamby, son of member Henry Hamby, standing in front of an R4-D (Navy version of the C-47).Miles 'Chip' Hamby as a Troop Carrier re-enactor, ca 1997. Miles is also a veteran C-130 pilot of the 317^th Tactical Airlift Wing. Believe it or not, World War II Re-enactment is increasing in popularity as a hobby for the baby-boomers and now the ‘millenials’ As the picture to the left suggests, is it the original, or is it recreation?
(Above) Katherine Dols, Associate 315th Association Member, at the controls of a C-47 during Frederick Historic Aircraft Airshow held annually in Frederick, MD. The aircraft was configured for medical evacuation and Katherine occasionally portrays a Flight Nurse of the era (Rgiht) Katherine Dols portraying 'Katherine Culling of the USO's Hollywood Canteen', wearing an authentic WW2 era uniform and USO devices.		.
		(Left) Christine ? wearing her Dad’s Cooper A-2 flight jacket and crush cap on Holloween. (More ‘boomers and beyond’ to come)