169th Airlift Squadron

169th Airlift Squadron
169th Airlift Squadron emblem
Active	1946-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Airlift
Part of	Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command
Garrison/HQ	Peoria International Airport
Nickname(s)	Defenders of Freedom

The 169th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 182d Airlift Wing.

Assignments

Major Command

• Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command (1992–Present)
• Air National Guard/Military Airlift Command (1976–1992)
• Air National Guard/Strategic Air Command (1962–1976)
• Air National Guard/Air Defense Command (1957–1962)
• Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1948–1957)
• Air National Guard (1946–1948)

Previous Designations

• 169th Airlift Squadron (1995–Present)
• 169th Fighter Squadron (1992–1995)
• 169th Tactical Air Support Squadron (1969–1992)
• 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1962–1969)

Bases Stationed

• Peoria International Airport, Illinois (1946–Present)

Aircraft Operated

• C-130E/H Hercules (1995–Present)
• F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1992–1995)
• C-26A Metroliner (1989–1995)
• OA-37B Dragonfly (1979–1992)
• C-131E Samaritan (1975–1989)
• O-2AC/B Skymaster (1970-1979)
• U-3A/B Blue Canoe (1969–1970)
• T-29A/C Flying Classroom (1972–1975)
• F-84F Thunderstreak (1958–1969)
• T-33A Shooting Star (1955–1969)
• VC/C-47 Gooney Bird (1949–1972)
• T-28A Trojan (1956–1958)
• F-80C Shooting Star (1958-1958)
• A-26C Invader (1947–1952)
• T-6G Texan (1947–1956)
• AT-11 Kansan (1947-1947)
• F-51D/H Mustang (1947–1956)