Lineage. Constituted as 16 Transport Squadron on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 11 Dec 1940. Redesignated as 16 Troop Carrier Squadron on 4 Jul 1942. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1945. Activated on 19 May 1947. Inactivated on 10 Sep 1948. Redesignated as 16 Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault, Light on 19 Sep 1950. Activated on 5 Oct 1950. Redesignated as 16 Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault, Fixed Wing on 8 Nov 1954. Inactivated on 8 Jul 1955. Redesignated as 16 Tactical Airlift Training Squadron on 14 Aug 1969. Activated on 15 Oct 1969. Redesignated as 16 Airlift Squadron on 1 Dec 1991. Inactivated on 29 Sep 2000. Activated on 1 Jul 2002.
Assignments. 64 Transport (later, 64 Troop Carrier) Group, 11 Dec 1940-31 Jul 1945. 64 Troop Carrier Group, 19 May 1947-10 Sep 1948. 316 Troop Carrier Group, 5 Oct 1950; Eighteenth Air Force (attached to 463 Troop Carrier Wing), 14 Nov 1954-8 Jul 1955. 4442 Combat Crew Training Wing, 15 Oct 1969; 314 Tactical Airlift Wing, 1 Aug 1971; 34 Tactical Airlift Training Group, 1 Nov 1978; 314 Operations Group, 1 Dec 1991; 437 Operations Group, 1 Oct 1993-29 Sep 2000. 437 Operations Group, 1 Jul 2002-.
Stations. McClellan Field, CA, 11 Dec 1940; Portland, OR, 9 Jul 1941; Westover Field, MA, 12 Jun-31 Jul 1942; Ramsbury, England, 18 Aug-Nov 1942 (operated from Maison Blanche, Algeria, 11 Nov-Dec 1942); Blida, Algeria, c. 12 Dec 1942; Kairouan, Tunisia, 28 Jun 1943; El Djem, Tunisia, 26 Jul 1943; Comiso, Sicily, 4 Sep 1943 (operated from bases in India, 7 Apr-Jun 1944); Ciampino, Italy, 10 Jul 1944 (operated from Istres, France, 7 Sep-11 Oct 1944); Rosignano Airfield, Italy, 10 Jan-23 May 1945 (operated from Brindisi, Italy, 29 Mar-13 May 1945); Waller Field, Trinidad, 4 Jun-31 Jul 1945. Langley Field, VA, 19 May 1947-10 Sep 1948. Sewart AFB, TN, 5 Oct 1950; Ardmore AFB, OK, 14 Nov 1954-8 Jul 1955. Sewart AFB, TN, 15 Oct 1969; Little Rock AFB, AR, c. 15 Mar 1970; Charleston AFB, SC, 1 Oct 1993-29 Sep 2000. Charleston AFB, SC, 1 Jul 2002-.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater. Global War on Terrorism - Service (GWOT-S).
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley; India-Burma; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: CBI Theater, 7 Apr-15 Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device: [1 Jul 2002]-30 Jun 2003. Meritorious Unit Awards: 1 Jul 2009-30 Jun 2010; 1 Jul 2012-30 Jun 2013; 1 Jul 2013-30 Jun 2014; 1 Jul 2014-30 Jun 2015; 1 Jul 2016-30 Jun 2017; 1 Jul 2017-30 Jun 2018; 1 Jul 2018-30 Jun 2019; 1 Jul 2019-30 Jun 2020; 1 Jul 2020-30 Jun 2021. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 30 Sep 1975-30 Jun 1976; 1 Jun 1985-31 May 1986; 1 Jul 1991-30 Jun 1993; 1 Jul 1993-30 Jun 1995; 1 Jul 1995-30 Jun 1997; 1 Jul 1997-30 Jun 1998; 1 Jul 1998-29 Sep 2000; 1 Jul 2005-30 Jun 2007; 1 Jul 2007-30 Jun 2008; 1 Jul 2015-30 Jun 2016.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 15 Jun 2023.
Supersedes statement prepared on 29 Aug 2012.
Emblem. Approved on 17 Dec 1980; latest rendering, 15 Apr 2019.
Prepared by Melissa Lahue.
Reviewed by Margaret Ream.