Wright Patterson AFB 89th AS, C-17 poster art.

The 89th Airlift Squadron is part of the 445th Airlift Wing, which flies the C-17, Globemaster III, the newest and most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of delivering troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The mission of the 445th AW is to attain and maintain operational readiness to provide strategic transport of personnel and equipment worldwide, and to provide aeromedical evacuation.  Located in Dayton, Ohio the “Birthplace of flight” and Orville & Wilbur Wright. The 89th Airlift Squadron name is “the Flying Rhinos”. UTA’s (Unit Training Assembly) are divided into “Scarlet & Grey” to honor the Ohio State Buckeye football team, these colors are on the C-17’s tailflash.

History: During World War II the 89th participated in the airborne assaults on Normandy, Southern France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The squadron also transported cargo and personnel in the European Theater of Operations and Mediterranean Theater of Operations in 1944 and 1945. It trained for troop carrier operations from 1947–1951, for fighter-bomber missions from 1952–1957, and for tactical fighter operations from 1982-1994. Since 1994 the 89th has trained for and flown strategic airlift missions worldwide, taking part in contingency operations as needed.