Lineage. Constituted as 537 Fighter Squadron on 24 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Disbanded on 10 Apr 1944. Reconstituted, and redesignated as 537 Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium), on 26 May 1952. Activated in the Reserve on 15 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 1 Feb 1953. Redesignated as 537 Troop Carrier Squadron, and activated, on 12 Oct 1966. Organized on 1 Jan 1967. Redesignated as 537 Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 Aug 1967. Inactivated on 31 Aug 1971. Redesignated as 537 Airlift Squadron on 30 Mar 2011. Activated on 29 Apr 2011.
Assignments. 87 Fighter Group, 1 Oct 1943-10 Apr 1944. 87 Troop Carrier Group, 15 Jun 1952-1 Feb 1953. Pacific Air Forces, 12 Oct 1966; 483 Troop Carrier (later, 483 Tactical Airlift) Wing, 1 Jan 1967-31 Aug 1971. 3 Operations Group, 29 Apr 2011-.
Stations. Richmond AAB, VA, 1 Oct 1943; Millville AAFld, NJ, 7 Jan-10 Apr 1944. Atterbury AFB, IN, 15 Jun 1952-1 Feb 1953. Phu Cat Airfield, Vietnam, 1 Jan 1967-31 Aug 1971. Elmendorf AFB, AK, 29 Apr 2011-.
Commanders. Unkn, 1-5 Oct 1943; Capt John C. Yancey, 6 Oct 1943-10 Apr 1944. Unkn, 15 Jun 1952-1 Feb 1953. Lt Col Charles C. Smith, 1 Jan 1967; Lt Col John F. Yelton, c. Apr 1967; Lt Col Harold J. Zweifel, 22 May 1967; Lt Col Robert C. Olson, c. Jul 1967; Lt Col Gayle C. Wolf, 1 May 1968; Lt Col George C. Marvin, 18 Feb 1969; Lt Col Donald J. MacFarren, 14 Nov 1969; Lt Col Walter H. Perris, c. Jun 1970; Lt Col Ray Barton, 16 Nov 1979-c. Aug 1971.
Aircraft. P-47, 1943-1944. Unkn, 1952-1953. C-7A, 1967-1971.
Operations. Replacement training, Nov 1943-Apr 1944. Provided intra-theater airlift for free world forces supporting Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and provided resupply airlift for combat units, 1967-1971. Earned the Navy Presidential Unit Citation for resupply operations of the 26th Marines, 20 Jan-1 Apr 1968 at Khe Sanh.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. Vietnam: Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground: Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Presidential Unit Citations (Vietnam): 21 Jan-12 May 1968; 1 Apr-30 Jun 1970. Navy Presidential Unit Citation: Vietnam, 20 Jan-31 Mar 1968. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 1 Jan-30 Apr 1967; 1 May 1967-30 Apr 1968; 1 Jul 1970-28 Aug 1971. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Jan 1967-31 Jul 1971; 1 Aug 1967-31 Aug 1971.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 23 Jun 2011.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Aug 1971.
Supersedes statement prepared on 23 Dec 1966.
Emblem. Approved on 26 Mar 1968.
Prepared by Patsy Robertson.
Reviewed by Carl E. Bailey.