The 8th Weapons Squadron is a non-flying United States Air Force unit, assigned to the USAF Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The squadron inherited the lineage of the 8th Airborne Command and Control Squadron. The 8th’s history includes flying cargo aircraft to supply people and munitions around the South Pacific during WWII. Known then as the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, the unit’s Curtiss C-46 Commandos and Douglas C-47 Skytrains likely shared ramp space with the 433d Fighter Squadron’s Lockheed P-38 Lightinings in New Guinea and the Philippines in 1944 and 1945. The 8th Airborne Command and Control Squadron flew the EC-135 to provide airborne command and control for deploying fighter squadrons over the Atlantic Ocean, and supporting the movement of key Air Combat Command leadership.
The first predecessor of the squadron was the 8th Ferrying Squadron, which ferried aircraft to combat theaters and to Brazil from the Southeast United States under the lend-lease program using the Air Transport CommandSouth Atlantic air ferry route, Mar 1942-Mar 1944. The second predecessor of the squadron provided air transportation in Southwestern and Western Pacific, Nov 1944-Sep 1945 as the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, operating under Fifth Air Force. It operated from Biak to fly passengers and cargo to bases in Australia, New Guinea, the Admiralties, and the Philippines. Also dropped supplies to US and guerrilla forces in the Philippines. Moved to Leyte in May 1945. Maintained flights to bases in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines; transported personnel and supplies to the Ryukyus, and evacuated casualties on return flights. Transported personnel and equipment of the occupation forces to Japan and ferried liberated prisoners of war to the Philippines. Moved to Japan in September 1945 where it operated until being inactivated in January 1946.
Helicopter operations
The third predecessor of the squadron was activated as the 8th Helicopter Flight under Caribbean Air Command in 1949. It operated cargo flights from Albrook Air Force Base providing logistical and supply support to installations in Panama and Latin America, Oct 1949-Feb 1952.
Airborne command and control
Reactivated in 1972 as EC-135 Airborne command post for tactical deployments worldwide, Feb 1972-May 1996. Has been involved in every United States combat operation since the Vietnam War. Deployed personnel and equipment to Spain and airfield personnel and equipment into Saudi Arabia, Aug 1990-c. Mar 1991 as part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
From 1978
Its current squadron was formed in 1978, when the concept of Air Weapons Controller was added to the established concept of Fighter Weapons. The first Air Weapons Controllers graduated in December 1984 to become Fighter Weapons School instructors. Instruction at the 8th Weapons Squadron continues to this very day in the fields of United States Air Force tactical air control system, Air Battle Management, Electronic Warfare Support, Electronic attack and their integration in operations. The course has graduated over 350 instructors who have been key to every conflict and contingency since 1985.
Lineage
; 8th Ferrying Squadron
Constituted as the 8th Air Corps Ferrying Squadron on 18 February 1942
; 8th Combat Cargo Squadron
Constituted as the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron on 25 April 1944
; 8th Helicopter Flight
Constituted as the 8th Helicopter Flight on 7 October 1949
Activated on 14 March 1952
; 8th Weapons Squadron
Constituted as the 8th Airborne Command and Control Squadron on 14 August 1969
Activated on 1 February 1972
Redesignated 8th Weapons Squadron on 24 January 2003
