85th Military Airlift Squadron

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The 85th Military Airlift Squadron was a United States Air Force unit that is now inactive. Its last assignment was with the 60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California, and it was inactivated on July 8, 1967.

History
- The squadron first formed during World War II as a ferrying unit in Canada along the ALSIB route. It was disbanded in September 1943 during a reorganization of Air Transport Command.
- It was reactivated on July 20, 1952, taking over from the 1287th Air Transport Squadron. It initially flew Douglas C-54 Skymasters on routes to Alaska.
- In 1953 it received Douglas C-124 Globemaster II aircraft and conducted long-range airlift missions.
- Its main mission was to move personnel, equipment, and supplies to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska and return to Great Falls. After Great Falls’ operations shifted, the squadron moved to Travis AFB, continuing Alaska support and conducting airlift missions across the Pacific, including Japan, Hawaii, Asia, Indochina, and even Karachi, Pakistan.
- During the 1960s, much of its focus was on supporting operations in South Vietnam. The squadron remained active until the C-124s were retired, then was inactivated in 1967.

Lineage (simplified)
- Constituted as the 85th Ferrying Squadron; activated about March 1, 1943.
- Redesignated 85th Transport Squadron; disbanded September 20, 1943.
- Reconstituted as the 85th Air Transport Squadron, Medium, on July 1, 1952; activated July 20, 1952; redesignated 85th Air Transport Squadron, Heavy, August 7, 1952; redesignated 85th Military Airlift Squadron January 8, 1966.
- Inactivated July 8, 1967.

Assignments
- 25th Ferrying Group (1943)
- 1701st Air Transport Group (1952)
- 1501st Air Transport Group (1953)
- 1501st Air Transport Wing (1953)
- 60th Military Airlift Wing (1966–1967)

Stations
- Namao Airport, Alberta, Canada (1943)
- Great Falls Air Force Base, Montana (1952–1953)
- Travis Air Force Base, California (1953–1967)

Aircraft
- Douglas C-54 Skymaster (1952–1953)
- Douglas C-124 Globemaster II (1953–1967)