Enhances rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces by providing supplies, equipment, vehicles, war reserve materiel, port services, and fuels valued at over $500M to Joint Base Charleston, one air base wing, two air mobility wings and multiple tenant units. Directs logistics planning requirements for 4,500 personnel/3,450 tons of equipment to include spares packages, mobility bags, and weapons. Manages resupply/retrograde of C-17A parts for all AFCENT and USAFE.
SUPPLY
The 437th Supply Squadron was activated on 27 June 1949 as part of the 437th Maintenance and Supply Group, stationed at Chicago-Orchard Airport, Illinois. On 14 August 1950, it moved to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, to stage its participation in the Korean War. On 8 November 1950, the Group arrived for duty at Brady Field, Japan. It departed the theater on 10 June 1952, after award of the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and returned to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
Records indicate the squadron remained part of the 437th Maintenance and Supply Group until 16 November 1957, where they fell silent for just over 8 years. On 8 January 1966, the unit became a separate entity, the 437th Supply Squadron, assigned to the 437th Military Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. During the course of the Vietnam War, the unit received five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
Since the end of that conflict, the 437th Supply Squadron has been awarded five subsequent Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its role in support of the invasion of Grenada (URGENT FURY), the invasion of Panama (JUST CAUSE), the defense of Saudi Arabia (DESERT SHIELD), and the liberation of Kuwait (DESERT STORM). Additionally, the squadron played an important role in humanitarian missions, including the recovery efforts after Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, the Rwandan relief effort, and the search and recovery operations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Most recently, the squadron played a key role in support of Allied Force, NATO's response to the crisis in Kosovo. On 1 October 1991, the 437th Supply Squadron was reorganized under the 437th Logistics Group.
TRANSPORTATION
The 437th Transportation Squadron was constituted the 1608th Motor Vehicle Squadron on 28 July 1950 as part of the 160th Maintenance and Supply Group. It was located at O'Hare Field-Chicago International Airport, Illinois. The Squadron was activate in the Reserve on 1 August 1950, ordered to active service on 10 August 1950, and moved to Shaw AFB, SC from 14 August- 16 October 1950 to begin staging for its participation in the Korean War. The squadron reported for duty at Brady Field, Honshu, Japan, on 8 November 1950. The squadron received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation on 1 July 1951 for its service, and departed on 1 July 1952 t return to O'Hare Airport.
The squadron was redesignated the 1608th Transportation Squadron on 1 October 1956 and remained part of the Maintenance and Supply Group until it was inactivated on 16 November 1957. On 8 January 1966, the squadron again underwent a redesignation, at this time from the 1608th Transportation to the 437th Transportation Squadron, and became part of the 437th Air Base Group at Joint Base Charleston, SC. During the course of the Vietnam War, the unit received four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
Since the end of the Vietnam War, the 437th Transportation Squadron has been awarded six subsequent Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its role in support of the Invasion of Grenada (Operation URGENT FURY), the invasion of Panama (Operation JUST CAUSE), the defense of Saudi Arabia (Operation DESERT SHIELD), and the liberation of Kuwait (Operation DESERT STORM). Additionally, the squadron played an important role in humanitarian missions, including the recovery efforts after Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Rwandan relief effort, and more recently, the search and recovery operations in Oklahoma City, OK. The squadron also played a key role and the invasion of Haiti (Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY). The unit was also awarded the Best Vehicle Operations Flight in AMC Award in 1993. On 1 October 1991, the 437th Transportation Squadron was reorganized under the 437th Logistics Group.