Lineage. Constituted 318 Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), and activated, on 1 May 1944. Inactivated on 25 Mar 1946. Redesignated 318 Special Operations Squadron on 21 Oct 1971. Activated on 15 Nov 1971. Inactivated on 1 Jun 1974. Activated on 2 May 2008.
Assignments. 3 Air Commando Group, 1 May 1944-25 Mar 1946. 1 Special Operations Wing, 15 Nov 1971-1 Jun 1974. 27 Special Operations Group, 2 May 2008-.
Stations. Camp Mackall, NC, 1 May 1944; Dunnellen AAFld, FL, 15 Aug 1944; Camp Mackall, NC, 12 Sep 1944; Baer Fld, IN, 30 Sep-11 Oct 1944; Nadzab, New Guinea, 26 Oct 1944; Leyte, 15 Jan 1945; Mangaldan, Luzon, 26 Jan 1945; Laoag, Luzon, 19 Apr 1945; Ie Shima, 25 Aug 1945 (air echelon operated from Atsugi, Japan, 7 Sep-15 Oct 1945); Chitose, Japan, 18 Oct 1945-25 Mar 1946. Pope AFB, NC, 15 Nov 1971-1 Jun 1974. Cannon AFB, NM, 2 May 2008-.
Commanders. Maj Charles G. Carter Jr., 1 May 1944-c. 1946. Lt Col Valentino Bagnani Jr., Nov 1971; Lt Col Peter K. Nikonovich, 1 Dec 1973-1 Jun 1974.
Aircraft. CG-4, 1944; C-47, 1944-1946. C-130, 1971-1974.
Operations. Transported personnel, supplies and equipment in the Southwest Pacific area, frequently operating from forward bases and evacuating casualties, c. Nov 1944-Aug 1945. Provided unconventional warfare C-130 force to support warfare plans and rescue escapees from safe areas within enemy territory, 1971-1974.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII).
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 2 May 2008.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 1 Jun 1974.
Supersedes statement prepared on 26 Jun 2007.
Emblem. Approved on 10 July 2008.
Prepared by Patsy Robertson.
Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.