The squadron operates Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission worldwide.

The squadron's aircraft flew supplies to front-line units in Algeria and Tunisia as soon as suitable landing strips were available and evacuated casualties back to rear area field hospitals.

The squadron also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals.

[1] Reactivated briefly in 1947–1948 at Langley Field, Virginia as a Tactical Air Command troop carrier squadron, but never fully manned or equipped.

[1] Redesignated the 16th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron on 14 August 1969 and reactivated six weeks later flying Lockheed C-130 Hercules at Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee.

With the pending closure of Sewart, the squadron was reassigned Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, in March 1970 to fly and conduct initial upgrade training on the C-130 A and E models.

[3] On February 16, 1972, Lockheed C-130E Hercules #62-1813, c/n 3775, of the 16th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron, mid-air collision with Cessna T-37 Tweet, 6 kilometers northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.

The squadron used uniquely qualified aircrews, trained in the use of enhanced night vision equipment and specially modified aircraft for unconventional warfare ops.