The 37^th Airlift Squadron (AS) was originally constituted as the 37^th Transport Squadron on 2 February 1942. It was activated on 14 February 1942 at Patterson Field, Ohio and assigned to the 316^th Transport Group.

Aircrafts flown by the squadron were the C-47 (until 1947) and the C-109 (1944-1945). The unit was redesignated as the 37^th Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS) on 4 July 1942. During World War II, operations in which the squadron took part included airborne assaults on Normandy, the Netherlands, and Germany as well as aerial transportation in the European - and Mediteranian Theater of Operations.

Adding the C-46 in 1946, the 37^th transitioned to the C-82 in 1947. It was redesignated as the 37^th TCS, on 23 June 1948. In 1950, the 37^th transitioned to the C-119. Attached to the 314^th TCG, from 21 August 1950-8 May 1952, it relocated to Ashiya AB, Japan, 11 Sep 1950. During the Korean War it flew, airborne assaults at Sukchon/Sunchon and Munsan-ni as well as provided aerial transportation between Japan and Korea. It inactivated on 8 May 1952 at Ashiya AB.

The 37^th reactivated on 8 May 1952 at Sewart AFB, Tennessee, assigned to the 316^th TCG, flying the C-119. It inactivated on 18 June 1957, again at Ashiya AB, Japan.

The 37^th reactivated on 17 May 1966 at Langley AFB, Virginia, under Tactical Air Command, flying the C-130 Hercules. It was organized on 1 October 1966 under the 316^th TCW (later TAW). Redesignated as the 37^th TAS on 1 May 1967, while deployed in Taiwan, the 37^th flew to Hanoi on 17 February 1973 in support of Operation Homecoming, the repatriation of American prisoners of war to Clark AB, Philippines, on 5 March 1973.

The 37^th was reassigned to the 317^th TAW, on 15 September 1975; and to the 435^th TAW, on 1 October 1977, at which point it relocated to Rhein-Main AB, Germany. The 37^th took part in Operations Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia, from 14 August 1990-29 March 1991. It also airdropped humanitarian supplies in Operation Provide Comfort in April-May 1991. Redesignated as the 37^th AS on 1 April 1992, it reassigned to the 435^th OG. The 37^th AS conducted airlift and airdrop missions to Bosnia-Herzegovina for Operation Provide Promise, starting July 1992.

The 37^th AS was reassigned to the 86^th Wing, 1 October 1994, at which point it relocated to Ramstein AB, Germany from where it operates the C-130 Hercules equipped with the Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS) and Air Defense System.