Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40
Unit name	Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40
Dates	1999–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Logistics
Role	Airlift
Garrison	Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
Nickname	Rawhides
Aircraft transport	C-40A Clipper

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 is a United States Navy reserve aviation unit assigned to provide worldwide airlift and logistics support. The squadron operates strategic and tactical transport aircraft to support naval, joint, and allied operations, contingency responses, and peacetime missions. It is based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and falls under the command structure of the Naval Air Reserve and Fleet Logistics Support Wing.

History

Established in 1999, the squadron traces its lineage to reserve aviation expansion initiatives during the late 20th century influenced by post–Cold War force restructuring and National Defense Strategy adjustments. Early years saw integration of personnel from legacy reserve units and coordination with Commander, Naval Air Forces Reserve for capacity building. During the 2000s the unit transitioned through fleet modernization efforts linked to the procurement programs managed by the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Air Systems Command, culminating in adoption of newer transport platforms. The squadron’s development paralleled major operations including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing logisticians and aircrew to support sustained expeditionary requirements.

Mission and Role

The squadron’s primary mission is to provide long-range logistics airlift in support of naval and joint force requirements, including personnel movement, cargo delivery, aeromedical evacuation, and executive transport. It supports tasking from U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and theater commanders, enabling strategic reach for carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and embassy movements. In peacetime it conducts routine logistics sustainment, contingency response, and support to federal agencies such as Department of Homeland Security during domestic crises.

Aircraft and Equipment

The unit operates the Boeing 737-700C configured as the C-40A Clipper, a military derivative of the Boeing 737 Next Generation series. The C-40A provides inter-theater transport capability with modular cargo and passenger configurations, integrating avionics certified to civil airworthiness standards overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration. Equipment includes mission planning suites compatible with Global Positioning System navigation, communications suites interoperable with Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, and cargo handling interfaces for standardized pallet systems like Unit Load Devices.

Organization and Personnel

Organizationally the squadron is part of the Fleet Logistics Support Wing within the Naval Air Reserve framework and aligns with reserve mobilization authorities under Commander, Naval Air Forces. Personnel comprise Selected Reserve sailors, Individual Ready Reserve members, and Active Duty Support staff, with mission specialties including naval flight officers, naval aviators, aviation maintenance technicians, and logistics specialists. Training pipelines intersect with Naval Aviation Schools Command syllabi and carrier/expeditionary integration exercises coordinated with Fleet Readiness Centers.

Deployments and Operations

Operational deployments have included worldwide airlift missions supporting operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, routine logistics rotations to North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners, and contingency support for humanitarian missions such as disaster response to hurricanes and earthquakes coordinated with United States Agency for International Development and U.S. Northern Command. The squadron has executed airlift for diplomatic missions, contingency evacuations, and sustainment of forward-deployed units, interoperating with transport nodes managed by Air Mobility Command and maritime logistics planners from U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. 7th Fleet.

Awards and Honors

The squadron has received unit commendations and service recognitions tied to operational support during major contingency operations and sustained excellence in readiness and safety. Awards and citations reflect coordination with Chief of Naval Operations directives on readiness and adherence to standards promulgated by Secretary of the Navy issuances and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization guidance. Individual members have earned personal decorations through actions during deployments and humanitarian missions.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Navy Category:United States Naval Aviation Category:Military units and formations established in 1999