22nd AS celebrates their 70th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Members, family, friends and acquaintances of the 22nd Airlift Squadron are invited to the squadron's 70th anniversary celebration scheduled for April 2 and 3 at Travis.

The celebration includes many activities designed to celebrate the historic legacy of the squadron, said Capt. Austin Horn, 22nd AS chief of scheduling and aircraft commander. The events will kick off April 2 with a barbecue followed by a golf tournament at Travis' Cypress Lakes Golf Course.

The festivities scheduled for April 3 include a squadron breakfast, historical mission brief, tours of a C-5 Galaxy, control tower, simulators and an anniversary dinner.

"The main goal is to celebrate and recognize our great heritage," Horn said. "Over the course of history the 22nd AS has been there, in each conflict and humanitarian effort, wartime and peacetime, providing essential elements to those who need them."

The history of the 22nd AS dates back to 1942, when it was enacted in Melbourne, Australia, in an effort to stop the Japanese from taking over the South Pacific, he said. The airlift and airdrop of the squadron played a key role as part of an expansive allied team effort to liberate the Pacific.

When it was originally activated, pilots from the 22nd AS flew six different types of aircraft, Horn said.

"It's pretty amazing to think of pilots flying a single-engine Piper aircraft to deliver a small package into the jungle then land and, on the same day, take back off in a B-17 Flying Fortress to deliver ammo," he said. "Then the next day that same pilot could be flying two completely different airplanes."

Horn said there is a lot of pride in being a member of the 22nd AS.

"Our squadron is full of great people who work hard and are always training to become the best at what they do every day," he said. "We are the 'Double Deuce' and we bring it to the show. This is a great squadron to be a part of."

While the squadron's history is rich, they continue flying historical missions.

"Today we fly NASA support, Operation Enduring Freedom missions, Pacific channels and special assignment aircraft airlift missions," Horn said.

The celebration is a chance to recognize and reflect on the squadron's members - past, present and future, he said.

"This 70th anniversary is an excellent opportunity for our alumni from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and more to reunite with each other and current squadron members," Horn said.

For more information on the 22nd AS 70th Anniversary Celebration contact Senior Master Sgt. Brian Eastman at Brian.Eastman.2@us.af.mil.