The 4th Airlift Squadron has reason to stand tall and smile broadly. The oldest active airlift squadron in the Air Force, the unit is preparing to celebrate its 75th birthday.

"We're looking forward to this event," wrote Senior Master Sgt. Keith Schnug in an e-mail.

The party will begin at 1 p.m. on July 9 at Heritage Hill on JBLM-McChord Field.

Established on July 8, 1935, as the 4th Troop Carrier Squadron of the Army Air Corps, the squadron has been involved in every major military action. During World War II the unit earned nine campaign ribbons for operations conducted in both Europe and the China-Burma theaters. The 4th also participated in airborne assaults on Sicily; Myitkyina, (then Burma); and France. During the Korean War, the squadron conducted aerial transport from the United States to Japan and between Japan and Korea. During the Vietnam War, the 4th began flying the C-141, the first jet transport designed specifically for military use.

Since that time, the squadron has participated in the invasion of Panama in 1989 and the evacuation of U.S. personnel from the Philippines during the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. During the Global War on Terrorism, the 4th AS has utilized the C-17 Globemaster III in order to conduct the aerial delivery of food and supplies in Afghanistan.

The unit's aircrews also have been directly involved in every contingency and humanitarian relief operations ranging from the Balkans and Southwest Asia to delivering supplies to the South Pole. Running through its history is a connection to the Army. The 4th Airlift Squadron's patch of a mule with a pack on its back flying through the clouds alludes to the unit's connection to the Army.

"Our patch was originally designed and approved as nose art for the unit's aircraft," wrote Schnug.  "Because the Army Air Corps originally came up with the design, they based it on the way the Army used to transport its supplies, the Army mule."

It is a patch that has been worn with pride for 75 years.

For more information on the event and how to register to attend, visit the squadron's Web site: fightinfourth2010.com.