TOP STORY >> AETC says farewell to unit with rich heritage

By Senior Airman Chris Willis
314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

After 65 years of airlift support and history, the 53rd Airlift Squadron Blackjacks have closed their doors as an Air Education and Training Command unit.

At a ceremony here Jan. 11, Lt. Col. Thomas Glister, 53rd AS commander, stood with the men and women of the squadron as their unit flag was retired and cased.

And as he saluted, Colonel Gilster spoke the final words of a 53rd member.

“Sir, I relinquish command.”

The squadron, which was activated under the 314th Airlift Wing Oct. 1, 1993, was inactivated as a part of 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission and 2006 Site Activation Task Force recommendations.

“It is difficult to walk into a building that used to be alive with more than 150 combat airlifters training the next generation but is now eerily silent,” said Col. Rudolph Byrne, 314th Operations Group commander and presiding officer.

“On a positive note, in just four short months, the 53rd will once again come alive this time as an (Air Mobility Command) squadron and continue the proud legacy in the tactical airlift community.”

Officials from AETC accomplished a manpower analysis resulting in 70 to 75 percent of the 53rd moving to the 62nd Airlift Squadron. The rest of the members transferred to new bases or units, separated or retired.

The inactivation of the 53rd AS has made an impact on many members of its squadron, according to unit officials.

“What I’ll miss the most about the 53rd AS is the great people and the great commander,” said Airman First Class Dennis Early, 53rd AS information support manager. “I wish I could have spent more time with them.”

For others, the change is just another opportunity to excel.

Master Sgt. Gary Moon, the 53rd AS interim first sergeant, is one of those members.

“I am looking forward to working with the 62nd since most of us have known each other from prior C-130 (units) and work well together,” he said. This merging of units will also benefit Little Rock Air Force Base.

“The consolidation of two squadrons into one … helps since we don’t have to have so many instructors fill in … squadron duties,” said Colonel Gilster. “That allows more instructors to stay in the operational field teaching our younger Airmen.”
Since 1942 the 53rd has been located at 19 different bases and has been lead by 63 commanders.

The Blackjacks have been awarded 16 campaign streamers from the European theaters, returning the first prisoners of war from Vietnam during Operation Homecoming, performing numerous humanitarian missions within the continent of Africa and participating in every major conflict around the world.

Over the past 14 years, the 53rd has lead the way at the C-130 Center of Excellence training and graduating 4,925 aircrew across four crew positions spanning all U.S. Armed Forces, as well as allied nations around the world.

In recent years, crew members have supported the Global War on Terrorism and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The 53rd has earned several wing, numbered Air Force and major command honors. The unit's honors include being named the top operations squadron in AETC, the 19th Air Force top operations squadron and the 314th AW top operations squadron. Unit members have helped the unit become a three-time winner of the AETC valiant award and receive multiple excellent and outstanding ratings during several operational readiness inspections. But even with all this history only one thing remains: The people.

“I was recently asked if I was ready for this inactivation,” said Colonel Gilster. “After a few months, I responded ‘Why, yes I am.’ The last 12 months would have been considered the most challenging in the Blackjacks' history if it were not for a group of the most dedicated leaders and true friends I have had the honor to work with.”