It trained in troop carrier operations at Offutt Air Force Base until March 1951, when it was called to active duty and its personnel used as fillers for other units.

Despite radio black-out, overloaded aircraft, low cloud cover and lack of marked drop zones, they carried parachute infantry of the 101st Airborne Division's 502d Parachute Infantry Regiment, who were dropped soon after midnight in the area northwest of Carentan.

Returning to England, during Operation Market Garden in September 1944, the group released gliders carrying troops and equipment for the airborne attack in the occupied Netherlands.

The unit released gliders in support of an American crossing of the Rhine River called Operation Varsity in March 1945.

As part of this reorganization, the 438th Troop Carrier Wing was activated at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

[2][5] All combat units of the Air Force Reserve were ordered to active service for the Korean War.

[9] When it finally began to receive its planes, they were World War II era North American F-51 Mustangs, which would serve until the squadron's Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars arrived.

Despite its designation as a fighter bomber unit, the squadron initially trained in the air defense role.

[1] Since 1994 the 89th has trained for and flown strategic airlift missions worldwide, taking part in contingency operations as needed.

[13] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency