22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (22nd TCS)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG)

Background
The 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (22nd TCS) operated the C-47 Skytrain in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II.

Warime History
On April 3, 1942 activated as a the 22nd Transport Squadron at Essendon Airfield as part of the Air Transport Command, U.S. Army Forces in Australia, later renamed Air Carrier Services, Air Service Command, Fifth Air Force. On November 12, 1942 assigned to the 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG).

On July 5, 1942 redesignated 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (22nd TCS), also abbrevated as the 22d Troop Carrier Squadron (22d TCS).

On October 5, 1942 and October 6, 1942 C-47s from 21st Troop Carrier Squadron (21st TCS) and 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (22nd TCS) air lift of Australian Army Australian Army 2/10 Battalion, 18 Brigade plus U.S. Army engineers and anti-aircraft gunners from Milne Bay to Wanigela Airfield.

On October 11, 1942 moves to Garbutt Field at Townsville.

On January 24, 1943 moves to Port Moresby in New Guinea.

On July 11, 1943 crashed C-47 "Junior" 2nd Lt. Harry D. Dingman (KIA).

On October 4, 1943 moves to Garbutt Field at Townsville.

On January 14, 1944 force landed is C-47 "Smokey Joe" pilot 1st Lt. Austin N. Malcomb, Jr. (survived).

On August 29, 1944 moves to Finschafen Airifeld in New Guinea.

On August 1, 1945 moves to Nielson Field on Luzon in the Philippines.

Postwar
On January 31, 1946 inactivated. On October 15, 1946 reactivated at Nichols Field as part of the 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG). On April 23, 1947 moves to Clark Field with a detachment operating from Wiesbaden, Germany between October 3, 1948–November 16, 1948. On May 21, 1948 redesignated 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (Heavy). On November 16, 1948 moves to Tachikawa Airfield in Japan. On November 18, 1958 assigned to the 1503rd Air Transport Wing.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 199-120 (22d Troop Carrier) [PDF pages 131-132]

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?