The 41 st Airlift Squadron is the third oldest and one of the most highly decorated airlift squadrons in U.S. military history. The squadron was first organized on February 18, 1942 as the 41 st Transport Squadron and soon became the 41 st Troop Carrier Squadron, flying the C-47. Blackcats flew some of the first airborne assault missions in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Following the formal surrender of Japan in 1945, the Blackcats landed the first U.S. transport on Japanese soil. In 1948, the 41 st moved from Japan to Germany to support the Berlin Airlift. The squadron was deactivated in 1949 and was reactivated in 1952 at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. Flying the C-119 Boxcar, the 41 st continued to support missions throughout the European Theater. In 1957, the squadron was moved to Evereux, France and converted to the C-130 Hercules. The Blackcats again saw action as events in Southeast Asia began to heat up. After five difficult years in Southeast Asia, the 41 st Tactical Airlift Squadron was born in August 1957. The 41 st TAS returned to American soil in 1971 at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. Since that time the Blackcats have been involved in every major airlift operation from Grenada to Bosnia and Southwest Asia. The squadron has received six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and six Mobility Airlift Command Outstanding Airlift Squadron Awards. The squadron’s motto of “Anywhere, Anytime” continues a proud legacy as the 41 st Airlift Squadron greets the 21 st Century.