40th Airlift Squadron - Pope Air Force Base

Pope Air Force Base

In June 1971, the 40th began preparations for the 317th Troop Carrier Wing’s move-this time to Pope Air Force Base. At Pope, the Squadron met rejoined the 41st which had just returned from six years in Southeast Asia. As part of the move from Lockbourne, the Squadron shed all of its personnel and aircraft, and moved only its flag and lineage to its new home, where it acquired the personnel and aircraft of the recently deactivated 435th Troop Carrier Squadron. The move to Pope AFB brought some mission changes as well. The Squadron lost its obligation as a Replacement Training Unit, but gained the Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS) mission. Previously, C-130 squadrons at several bases had AWADS, but it was gradually consolidated into the three squadrons at Pope. The 40th also gained a rotational commitment to Southeast Asia in addition to its regular rotations to Europe and Panama. It soon became common for crews to spend ninety days in Germany, come home for a few weeks, deploy to Panama for six weeks, come home again for a short rest, then depart for the Pacific.

Read more about this topic:  40th Airlift Squadron

Famous quotes containing the words pope, air, force and/or base:

    Let Sporus tremble—‘What? That thing of silk,
    Sporus, that mere white curd of ass’s milk?
    Satire or sense, alas, can Sporus feel,
    Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?’
    Yet let me flap this bug with gilded wings,
    This painted child of dirt, that stinks and stings;
    Whose buzz the witty and the fair annoys,
    Yet wit ne’er tastes, and beauty ne’er enjoys:
    —Alexander Pope (1688–1744)

    Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece. In good health, the air is a cordial of incredible virtue. Crossing a bare common, in snow puddles, at twilight, under a clouded sky, without having in my thoughts any occurrence of special good fortune, I have enjoyed a perfect exhilaration. I am glad to the brink of fear.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Harsh necessity, and the newness of my kingdom, force me to do such things and to guard my frontiers everywhere.
    Virgil [Publius Vergilius Maro] (70–19 B.C.)

    Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)