40th Airlift Squadron

40th Airlift Squadron
40th Airlift Squadron Patch
Active	2 February 1942 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Airlift
Part of	Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 317th Airlift Group
Garrison/HQ	Dyess Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	Screaming Eagles
Mascot(s)	Eagle
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

The 40th Airlift Squadron is a United States Air Force unit based at Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas. The unit currently flies the new Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Nicknamed the Screaming Eagles, it is one of the most decorated airlift units in the U.S. Air Force.

On 18 February 1942, the squadron was activated as the 40th Transport Squadron at Duncan Field, San Antonio, Texas under the control of the 317th Troop Carrier Group. Beginning with only a second lieutenant squadron commander and eight enlisted men, the squadron slowly took shape, and in about four months was full-sized. At this time it transferred to Bowman Field, Kentucky where it began flying the Douglas C-47 Skytrain. The pace of developments in World War II drove a rapid training and deployment schedule, and on 6 December 1942, the 40th moved to Laurinburg-Maxton Army Airfield, North Carolina to begin staging for its move to the Pacific. A few days later, the Squadron left North Carolina for the Mobile Air Depot, Alabama where it received thirteen new C-47s. After they checked out the airplanes, the squadron flew to California.

On 5 January 1943, the Squadron left California for the Southwest Pacific Theater of operations. Two days later it landed at Brisbane, Australia where it came under the command of the Fifth Air Force. After a short time in Brisbane, the Squadron moved to Barbutt Field, Townsville, Australia, the Squadron's first permanent oversees home.

In the Buna campaign, the 40th ferried food, ammunition, equipment, and reinforcements to Allied troops, then evacuated the wounded to hospitals on its return flights. As the battle of Buna neared its end, the fight for Wau was just beginning.