Special Air Mission - Presidential Airlift Heritage

The Special Air Mission originated with the World War II USAAF 10th Ferrying Squadron (AAFFC) in 1941. It was redesigned as the 21st Transport Transition Training Detachment of Air Transport Command (ATC) in 1942, and later redesignated as the 26th Transport Group. From Sep-Dec 1943, the 26th TG conducted the C-87 "Fireball" run, a weekly priority spare parts delivery flight between Fairfield, OH and Agra, India. It was lastly redesignated as the 503d Army Air Force Base Unit (AAFBU) in 1944 as part of the ATC North Atlantic Division.