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TCAA HISTORY (Video)

On July 14, 1995 three retired Transportation Corps (TC) Army Aviators met in Williamsburg, Virginia to discuss the idea of getting together with other locally retired TC aviators for some periodic “hangar flying” sessions. From this initial meeting sprung the Transportation Corps Aviation Association (TCAA). Read more about TCAA by clicking HERE.

HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION CORPS AVIATION

During World War II the Army decided it required two different types of aviation support; one was provided by the Army Air Forces and the other by Organic Army Aviation. The Army Air Force provided fighters and bombers, while Organic Army Aviation provided observation, artillery fire adjustment, and liaison transport. The Transportation Corps was created on 31 July 1942 and became a permanent branch of the Army in 1950. Also in 1950 Brigadier General William B. Bunker, a non-rated TC officer, recognized the important role helicopters would play in logistics support. He became known as the “Father of the Helicopter.” In August 1952 the Transportation Corps became responsible for Army Aviation: from procurement to doctrine and TO&E development to logistical support. The first helicopter company was the 6^th Transportation Company (Helicopter) and was equipped with H-19C Chickasaws. The first Army aviation battalion was the 1^st Transportation Corps Army Aviation Battalion (Provisional) formed on 15 June 1953. On 7 December 1954 the first airport built for helicopters was dedicated at Fort Eustis --- Felker Army Airfield. The Transportation Corps ran the Executive Flight Detachment for the White House from 1 December 1957 until 1976, when the Army leadership lost interest in the mission. The first two helicopter units deployed to Vietnam in December 1961 were TC units: 8th and 57^th Transportation Companies equipped with H-21 Shawnee helicopters. Read more about fixed and rotary wing transport aircraft by clicking HERE.

HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION CORPS AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE

In August 1952 the Transportation Corps became responsible for Army aviation procurement, supply, and maintenance. This responsibility included aircraft maintenance and supply above the organizational level. Over the years the Army used terms such a maintenance categories, echelons, and levels. The bottom line was that TC was responsible for Direct Support, General Support, and Depot maintenance of Army aircraft. TC aviators became qualified in every make and model of Army aircraft because those same aviators were required to perform maintenance test flights to ensure the repaired aircraft was safe to fly. In January 1965 one aircraft maintenance battalion – the 765^th – supported ALL 510 Army aircraft in Vietnam. By September 1969 the number of aircraft grew to 4,228 and the 34^th General Support Group (Aircraft Maintenance & Supply), with its seven TC battalions, had been activated to support all 79 aviation companies in Vietnam. The 1^st Battalion was a depot maintenance unit aboard the USNS Corpus Christi and was known as the Floating Aircraft Maintenance Facility (FAMF). Read more about TC aircraft maintenance by clicking HERE.