by Airman 1st Class Alexcia Givens
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs June 3, 2022
Nine C-130J Super Hercules fly in formation during the 37th Airlift Squadron’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. The celebration consisted of events such as a mass airdrop, a static display including C-130J Super Hercules and a Douglas C-47, and a show of force formation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Wongwai)
Airmen from the 37th Airlift Squadron celebrated the unit’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, May 26.
The 37 AS provides airlift and airdrop capabilities to troops in U.S. European Command, Africa Command and Central Command.
The celebration consisted of a formation flight with nine C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and a jump with 80 paratroopers from U.S. Army Airborne Brigade Combat teams and the 435th Contingency Response Group.
“Celebrating the 80th anniversary is important because it builds connections to the squadron, and it helps squadron members understand the historical significance,” said Maj. Kyle Gaulthier, 37 AS assistant director of operations.
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Eighty U.S. Army paratroopers prepare to load into the nine C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during the 37th Airlift Squadron’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. The 37 AS worked with several U.S. Army Airborne Brigade Combat Teams from around the world, the 435th Contingency Response Group and various NATO partners to celebrate the squadron’s anniversary with a mass airdrop and a show of force flight formation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)
Over the years, the 37 AS has used a variety of cargo aircraft, the current aircraft being the C-130J Super Hercules.
On Feb. 2, 1942, the 37th Transport Squadron was founded as a U.S. Army Air Corps component. The squadron, located initially at Patterson Field, Ohio, was eventually assigned to Ramstein Air Base in 1994, after many moves worldwide.
The 37 AS has participated in many important missions since its inception. In World War II, the squadron was a crucial player in the airborne assaults on Normandy, France. During Operation Homecoming in 1973, the squadron aided in the repatriation of U.S. prisoners of war from Hanoi. The squadron also conducted airlift operations throughout Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia.
“It’s important that we pass down the history of the 37 AS because it helps us understand our heritage and take pride in our position here,” said Lt. Col. Trevor Hall, 86th Operations Group chief pilot.
Today the “Blue Tail Flies” C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and crews continue to provide world class airlift and airdrop capabilities anytime, anywhere.
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Josh Olson, 86th Airlift Wing commander, flies a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, during the 37th Airlift Squadron’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. Olson is a command pilot and has flown more than 2,900 hours in numerous different planes including; KC-46A, KC-135, C-130J, KC-10A, C-130E/H and T-37B. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)
U.S. service members jump out of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during the 37th Airlift Squadron’s 80th anniversary event at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. The 37 AS started in 1942 as the 37th Transport Squadron. They celebrated 80 years of history including involvement in Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, during World War II. The anniversary celebration consisted of events such as a mass airdrop, a static display including C-130J Super Hercules and a Douglas C-47, and a show of force flight formation with nine C-130Js. aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Karol)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Nine C-130J Super Hercules aircraft taxi into formation during the 37th Airlift Squadron’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. Founded as the 37th Transport Squadron in 1942, the 37 AS has played a role in almost every major operation involving the U.S. and its allies since World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Nine C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron prepare to participate in an aircraft formation during the squadron’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. The celebration consisted of events such as a mass airdrop, a static display including C-130J Super Hercules and a Douglas C-47, and a show of force formation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Megan Beatty (left), 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs craftsman, and Tech. Sgt. John Huberty (right), 37th Airlift Squadron aircraft loadmaster, sit on the ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the skies above Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. The 37 AS celebrated their 80th anniversary through events such as a mass airdrop, a static display including C-130J Super Hercules and a Douglas C-47, and a show of force flight formation with nine C-130Js. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madelyn Keech)
Six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, fly in a large formation during a training mission over Germany, May 25, 2022. Founded as the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron in 1942, the 37 AS recently celebrated its 80th anniversary and has played a role in almost every major operation involving the U.S. and its allies since World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Megan M. Beatty)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Charmaine Kelley, 86th Airlift Wing command chief, greets paratroopers before take-off from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, during the 37th Airlift Squadron’s 80th anniversary at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. Kelley walked got to know each person on the plane, asking them where they were from and wishing them luck during the jump. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Huberty, 37 Airlift Squadron loadmaster, looks out the ramp during a large formation training mission over Germany, May 25, 2022. Founded as the 37th Transport Squadron in 1942, the 37 AS recently celebrated its 80th anniversary and has played a role in almost every major operation involving the U.S. and its allies since World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Megan M. Beatty)
U.S. Army paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group from Stuttgart, Germany, jump out of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft over Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 25, 2022. Multiple Soldiers from Stuttgart, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Panzer Kaserne and Fort Bragg, N.C., jumped during a large formation training mission to celebrate the 37 AS’s 80th anniversary. Founded as the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron in 1942, the 37 AS recently celebrated its 80th anniversary and has played a role in almost every major operation involving the U.S. and its allies since World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Megan M. Beatty)
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