 The squadron is a descendant organization of the 152d Observation Squadron, established on 21 August 1939.It is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.The origins of the 143d Airlift Squadron begin in 1915 when concerned Rhode Island residents banded together in the true spirit of the citizen-soldier to purchase two Curtis Model "F" Flying Boats, one of which was assigned to the Rhode Island National Guard.