It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, stationed at the McChord AFB component of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The ground echelon left Baer Field on 17 June 1943 and arrived at the Port Moresby Airfield Complex on 31 July.

Flew armed Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress's from February to May 1944 for the more hazardous missions that involved landing on fields that were under enemy attack.

Took part in the first airborne operation in the Southwest Pacific, seizing enemy bases and cutting supply lines at Nadzab, New Guinea, on 5 September 1943.

An additional mission took them to Leyte, Philippine Islands on 31 October to haul supplies to the beachhead and return wounded to hospitals.

Moved to Tachikawa Air Base near Tokyo Japan in September 1945, flying supply missions and courier flights.

Trained in the Reserve from August 1947 at Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Pennsylvania, as part of the 375th Troop Carrier Group.

The reservists trained in the C-46 Commando operations until the unit was called to active duty on 15 October 1950, due to the Korean War.

Between 20 February and 11 April 1952, the unit operated on temporary duty from Brownwood Regional Airport, Texas, in support of Army maneuvers.

Accordingly, when the 1741st was discontinued and replaced by the 57th in January 1966, its history and honors (but not its lineage) were bestowed on the 57th to recognize that the change in numbers was only to implement the MAJCON to AFCON conversion.

The unit also transported cargo and passengers overseas to Japan, West Germany, Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska, usually on weekend missions.

In later years, additional destinations included Egypt, South Korea, Italy, the Philippines, Spain and Africa.

Additionally, the squadron flew more than 200 sorties and transported more than 3,100 tons of food and supplies in support of the Somalia relief efforts during Operation Restore Hope.

In addition, the squadron maintained worldwide qualification and participates in most national, USTRANSCOM directed airlift operations until 2001.

The squadron did not possess aircraft of its own, but used C-17s sourced from Air Mobility Command typically from the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, SC, or the 62d Airlift Wing at McChord AFB, WA to conduct two classes a year of weapons instructors for the Globemaster III.