JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Commander, Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron, Lt. Col. Anthony M. Gurrieri hosted a squadron Dining Out on Sept. 29 in celebration of the unit’s 75th anniversary, whose heritage dates back to the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron activated in 1942.
Eighty-four squadron members and their guests attended the formal Dining Out, held off base at the Mercer Ballroom in Hamilton, N.J. The event’s theme focused on the legacy of the original squadron members and all those who served in World War II as their service and sacrifice defended the world against tyranny.
The evening featured remarks from the Guest of Honor, World War II U.S. Navy veteran, Earl Graham. Graham served as a Seaman First Class from 1943-1945 aboard the USS Pensacola, a heavy cruiser class naval ship providing anti-aircraft support. His cruiser was deployed to the Pacific theater where he encountered 54 bombardments as U.S. forces pushed towards Japan, island hopping through the Gilberts, the Marshalls, Wake Island, Okinawa, and others. Graham shared his experiences aboard the Pensacola including when his cruiser took six direct hits from Japanese shore batteries during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, killing 17, and injuring 119 aboard. Following his time in the Navy, Graham returned to Pedricktown, NJ, where he later continued his service as Mayor of his hometown.
As a special remembrance, Gurrieri announced the re-designation of all of the squadron’s annual awards in honor of 33d Troop Carrier Squadron members who served valiantly in the South Pacific during World War II. It is fitting that the men honored served in both aircrew and maintenance functions, and represents the unique relationship within the squadron today. Dining Out guests were presented with a commemorative 75th Anniversary Gold Coin, to denote the link between the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron and today’s AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron.
During World War II, the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron flew unarmed transports ferrying supplies and personnel, and conducting air evacuations of wounded throughout the contested areas of the Pacific. Decorated for its vital combat support in Papua New Guinea, Guadalcanal and the Philippines, the Unit earned 3 Distinguished Unit Citations, flying more than 58 thousand hours over 2 million miles, and airlifting more than 32 million pounds of cargo. The squadron was deactivated in 1946 following the Japanese surrender.
In 1994, the 33d was re-designated the 33d Flight Test Squadron and activated at the Air Mobility Warfare Center at Fort Dix, NJ, executing operational testing for all mobility aircraft. In 2004, the squadron was renamed the AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron and relocated to its current home in “BIG BEIGE” on what was then McGuire AFB, NJ.
AMCTES works directly for the HQ AMC Test and Evaluation Directorate at Scott AFB, IL, and operates as Air Mobility Command’s sole Operational Test and Evaluation organization. It is the parent organization for one detachment and four operating locations that provide strategically placed operators, maintainers, and acquisitions personnel to support AF systems. This enables AMCTES to provide vital testing of systems, tactics, and procedural improvements to modernization programs for the C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-10, KC-135, and the KC-46 airframe platforms.