458th Tactical Airlift Squadron

 

The 458th Troop Carrier Squadron was formed from the former Army 135th Aviation Company at Dong Ba Thin on 1 January 1967.  The squadron was initially based at Cam Ranh Bay, with a Detachment of 4 aircraft at Nha Trang.

 

Commanders

? — ? — LTCOL John W. Polk, Jr.

 

Al Cunliffe discovered the following history on the Scott AFB site and submitted it:

458th Airlift Squadron — Lineage & History
The 458th squadron’s history spans six decades and encompasses a variety of missions in combat and peacetime theaters. A rich legacy is the hallmark of the 458th with campaign participation and decorations earned in World War II, the Vietnam Conflict and the Persian Gulf War. From its inception as a bomber training unit for the Army Air Corps in World War II through its present mission providing superior airlift support to US armed forces leadership, the 458th squadron reflects the best in Air Force tradition.
1 Jul 1942 - 1 Apr 1944: 458th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).
  • Aircraft - Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator.
  • Assignment - 330th Bombardment Group.
  • Stations - Salt Lake City AAB, UT, 6 Jul 1942; Alamogordo, NM, 1 Aug 1942; Biggs Field, TX, 1 Sep 1942; Alamogordo, NM, 29 Nov 1942; Biggs Field, TX, 5 Apr 1943 - 1 Apr 1944.
  • Operations - replacement training.
1 Apr 1944 - 27 Dec 1945: 458th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy).
  • Aircraft - Boeing B-29 Superfortress.
  • Assignment - 330th Bombardment Group.
  • Stations - Walker AAF, KS, 1 Apr 1944; Dalhart AAF, TX, 25 May 1944; Walker AAF, KS, 1 Aug 1944 - 7 Jan 1945; North Field, Guam, 18 Feb - 21 Nov 1945; Camp Anza, CA, c. 22-27 Dec 1945.
  • Operations - Combat in Western Pacific.
  • Campaign Streamers - Air Offensive, Japan; Western Pacific.
  • Decorations - Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 3-9 Jul 1945; Tokyo, Japan, 8 Aug 1945.
12 Oct 1966 - 1 Mar 1972: 458th Tactical Airlift Squadron.
  • Aircraft - DeHavilland C-7 Caribou.
  • Assignment - Pacific Air Forces: 483d Tactical Airlift Wing.
  • Stations - Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam.
  • Operations - Tactical Airlift in Southeast Asia. Campaign Streamers - Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69 Counter-offensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII.
  • Decorations - Presidential Unit Citations: 21 Jan-12 May ‘68; 1 Apr-30 Jun ‘70. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" device: 1 Jan-30 Apr ‘67; 1 May ‘67-30 Apr ‘68; 1 Jul ‘70-31 Dec ‘71. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm: 1 Jan ‘67-1 Mar ‘72.
1 Apr 1975 - 1 Dec 1991: 1401st Military Airlift Squadron (Later consolidated and redesignated 458th Airlift Squadron).
  • Aircraft - North American CT-39 Sabreliner, 1975-1984. Beechcraft C-12 Huron, 1984- 1991. Gates C-21A Learjet, 1984-present.
  • Assignment - 89th Military Airlift Wing, 1 Apr 1975; 375th Aeromedical (later 375th Military Airlift) Wing.
  • Stations - Scott AFB, IL.
  • Operations - Military airlift operations worldwide, 1975-1978; worldwide aeromedical evacuation, 1978 - 1990.
  • Decorations - Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul-31 Dec 1975; 1 Jan 1976-31 Jan 1977; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Jul 1986-31 Jul 1988.
1 Dec 1991 - present: 458th Airlift Squadron.
  • Aircraft - Gates C-21A Learjet.
  • Assignment - 375th Operations Group.
  • Stations - Scott AFB, IL.
  • Operations - Airlift in Southwest Asia, Aug 1990-May 1991.

 

The 458th Squadron emblem was adapted from the 1401st on 1 Dec 1991 from a design originally approved on 18 May 1983. The blue color represents the sky with a constellation of four stars symbolizing the four locations of the 458th and its flight detachments (Scott AFB, Offutt AFB, Peterson AFB, and Randolph AFB). A stylized jet is symbolic of past, present and future operational support aircraft while the vermilion red stripe at the base represents the red carpet service provided to its customers. The sabre, with the sun’s beams reflected, signifies the 458th’s sterling commitment to duty.

 

458th Airlift Squadron GSUs  (Geographically Separated Units)
The 458th Airlift Squadron is composed of 124 personnel at four geographically separated units that operate 26 C-21A aircraft. The squadron is headquartered at Scott AFB (Public Site )--three flights of approximately 30 professionals report to the squadron at Scott AFB. The 84th Airlift Flight (ALF) is located at Peterson AFB, CO, the 311th ALF is at Offutt AFB, NE, and the 332nd ALF flies out of Randolph AFB, TX.

 

332nd Airlift Flight, Randolph AFB TX
311th Airlift Flight, Offutt AFB NE
84th Airlift Flight, Peterson AFB CO

 

Miscellaneous Documents
Michael Tubbs submitted this dedication to LtCol John W. Polk, Jr., Commander of the 458th, on the occasion of his departure from Vietnam.  It was written by Clifford C. Evans, Jr. and the men of the 458th. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5 or later)

 

 

Revised:
13 Jan 2009 03:17 PM