 Nicknamed the Screaming Eagles, it is one of the most decorated airlift units in the U.S. Air Force.On 18 February 1942, the squadron was activated as the 40th Transport Squadron at Duncan Field, Texas and was assigned to the 317th Transport Group three days later.Beginning with only a second lieutenant Fred H.Schomburg, squadron commander and eight enlisted men, the squadron slowly took shape, and in about four months was full-sized.