The squadron and its Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars moved to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina in August 1953. It participated in numerous military exercises in the United States and overseas, primarily with airborne forces of the United States Army. In March 1955, the 456th Troop Carrier Wing reorganized, and the squadron was assigned directly to wing headquarters as the 456th Group. All wing support organizations were inactivated at this time, while the squadron formed a detachment with eight C-119L aircraft. In October, the squadron moved with the wing to Shiroi Air Base, Japan, but the flying detachments of the wing were located at various points between Okinawa and Alaska. The squadron took part in Project Drag Net, recovering instrument packages from high altitude research or reconnaissance balloons. The project was terminated in May 1956 due to its low success rate, although the squadron earned an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its participation. The squadron returned to the United States and Ardmore Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where it was inactivated in July 1956 and its assets transferred to the 341st Troop Carrier Squadron. Air expeditionary unit The squadron was converted to provisional status as the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in 2002. It was activated in 2004 as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules airlift squadron as part of the Global War on Terrorism. It is a "rainbow" unit, composed of crews and planes from active duty, reserve, and Air National Guard units. The squadron, as recently as 2017 was responsible for transporting personnel and materiel to support Operation Inherent Resolve. Lineage Constituted as the 746th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 14 May 1943 Activated on 1 June 1943 Redesignated 746th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy c. 5 March 1944 Redesignated 746th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 5 August 1945 Inactivated on 17 October 1945 Activated in the reserve on 12 July 1947 Inactivated on 27 June 1949 Redesignated 746th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 15 October 1952 Activated on 1 December 1952 Inactivated on 9 July 1956 Redesignated 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron converted to a provisional unit on 12 June 2002 Activated 2004 Assignments 456th Bombardment Group, 1 June 1943 – 17 October 1945 456th Bombardment Group, 12 July 1947 – 27 June 1949 456th Troop Carrier Group, 1 December 1952 456th Troop Carrier Wing, 1 March 1955 – 9 July 1956 Air Mobility Command to activate or inactivate as needed, 12 June 2002