21AS - BEEliners

The 21st Airlift Squadron was activated at Archer Field, Brisbane, Australia on 3 April 1942 as the 21st Transportation Squadron. Throughout World War II the squadron remained in the New Guinea-Australia theatre airlifting various types of cargo. In July 1942, the unit was re-designated the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron and began flying the C-46 Commando and the C-47 Skytrain.

When the Korean conflict began in October 1950, the 21st was again called into action. The 21st was the first squadron to ferry supplies into marginal dirt strips. The squadron participated in all major engagements in Korea, including the massive airdrops at Sunchon in which 290.8 tons of supplies and 1,093 paratroopers were dropped in three days.

During the 1960's the squadron began airlift missions in support of operations in Southeast Asia. In 1967, the squadron was re-designated the 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron. In 1968, during the siege of Khe San, crews from the 21st performed massive airdrops and assault landing supporting the besieged outpost. Through 1973 and 1974, the "Bee liners" were instrumental in repatriating American POW's to US soil. During the 80's, the 21st frequently participated in exercises including TEAM SPIRIT, FOAL EAGLE, TANDEM ORBIT, and COPE THUNDER. The 21st has earned five Distinguished Unit Citations, one Presidential Unit Citation, and four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. In September 1989, the 21st moved from it's home, Clark AB, Philippines to Yokota AB, Japan, and upgraded from the C-130E to the newer C-130H aircraft. The 21st was selected for the 1991 Military Airlift Command's Outstanding Tactical Airlift Unit Award and best Active Duty Tactical Airdrop Award at the 1993 Rodeo competition. On 1 October 1993, the 21 was transferred from Yokota AB, Japan to Travis AFB, California. On that historic day, the conversion from the C-130 Hercules to the mammoth C-5 Galaxy was made.

The 21st Airlift Squadron continues its long history of service to the nation. The men and women of the "BEE liners" were involved in several humanitarian missions in 1994 including transportation of tons of badly needed medical supplies and food to disease-ravaged Rwanda, and humanitarian missions in support of the Haitian and Cuban relief efforts. With the awesome combination of the C-5 and aerial-refueling, the 21st delivered heavy and outsized cargo from the cold of Russia to the heat of Indonesia. The 21st supported Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM and the Global War on Terrorism. Recently, the 21st has delivered FEMA to the US Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, and evacuated floor loaded non-ambulatory patients from Beaumont, Texas, just before the landfall of Hurricane Rita. In 2005, the 21st was called to deliver a Super Scorpio US Navy rescue submarine in support of the international rescue of the 7 stranded Russian submariners off the Russian peninsula.

The Tradition Lives On...

On 3 April, 2006, the 21st Airlift Squadron continued its rich history by transitioning from the C-5 Galaxy to the C-17 Globemaster III as its primary aircraft. The men and women of the 21st Airlift Squadron continue to uphold the fine tradition of the "BEE liners" as part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, America's First Choice.