Editing Civil Air Transport (section)

==Formation and Early Operations (1946–1950)==
===Founding and Initial Purpose===
CAT was established in 1946 as the Chinese National Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (CNRRA) Air Transport, using surplus World War II aircraft like the C-47 Dakota and C-46 Commando. Its initial mission was to deliver food and supplies to China’s war-torn regions after Japan’s surrender. Many of CAT’s early pilots were Flying Tigers veterans, bringing combat aviation expertise to the airline.

Led by Chennault and Willauer, CAT operated as a private entity but maintained close ties with the Chinese Nationalist government under [[Chiang Kai-shek]]. The airline’s early operations included airlifting supplies during the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949) to support the Kuomintang (KMT) against Mao Zedong’s communists.
===Chinese Civil War and Evacuations===
From 1947 to 1949, as communist forces advanced, CAT played a critical role in sustaining KMT-held cities. It airlifted supplies to besieged areas like Weihsien in Shandong Province, often flying under fire to deliver essentials and evacuate personnel. CAT’s pilots braved shelling on runways, with some planes damaged during these missions.

After the KMT’s defeat in 1949, CAT evacuated thousands of Nationalist personnel and civilians to Taiwan, a logistical feat that solidified its reputation for high-stakes operations. These efforts were initially contracted by the KMT but set the stage for deeper U.S. involvement.
===CIA Acquisition (1950)===
By 1950, CAT faced financial difficulties due to the KMT’s retreat to Taiwan and reduced commercial viability. In August 1950, the CIA secretly purchased CAT’s assets through a Delaware-based front company, Airdale Corporation (later CAT, Inc.), acquiring nominal shares to maintain the airline’s civilian appearance.

Under CIA ownership, CAT operated as a proprietary airline, flying scheduled passenger routes across Asia while using other aircraft for covert missions. Alfred T. Cox, a CIA officer, was appointed CAT’s president, overseeing both commercial and clandestine operations. This dual structure allowed the CIA to embed operatives and conduct intelligence activities under commercial cover.