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316th Air Division
Loading cargo onto a C-130 Hercules at Ramstein AB
Active1944–1948; 1953–1960; 1985–1991
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleCommand of support elements
EngagementsPacific Theater[1]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
316th Air Division emblem[a][1]
316 Bombardment Wing emblem[b][2]

The 316th Airlift Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, assigned to Seventeenth Air Force, being stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 1 May 1991.

History

The 316th Bombardment Wing trained in the United States before transfer to Okinawa in August 1945. Assigned units ferried Allied prisoners of war from Japan to the Philippines.

In September 1953, the 316th Division manned, equipped, trained, and maintained assigned units until April 1960. It provided warning and defense against potential hostile air operations against the Moroccan region of North Africa.

In 1985, the division gained operational responsibility to implement war and contingency plans. It also provided host support to units in the Kaiserslautern Military Community as well as logistical support for other organizations in the European theater. In April–May 1991, assigned units deployed aircraft and personnel to Turkey in support of Operation Provide Comfort, a humanitarian relief effort to save the Kurds from starvation and resettle them in northern Iraq.

[1]

Lineage

Activated on 14 August 1944
Redesignated 316 Composite Wing on 8 January 1946
Redesignated 316 Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy on 6 May 1946
Inactivated on 21 June 1948
Organized on 18 September 1953
Discontinued on 1 April 1960
Activated on 14 June 1985
Inactivated on 1 May 1991[1]

Assignments

Stations

Components

Wing

Groups

Squadrons

Aircraft

See also

References

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Approved 15 November 1955. Description: Or, a globe azure gridlined gray and charged with a lion rampant grasping a sword of the third [color mentioned] all within a diminished bordure gray.
  2. ^ Approved 27 Feb 1945. Description: A globe azure gridlined argent and charged with a lion rampant grasping a sword of the same [color].
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Factsheet 316 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  2. ^ Maurer, p. 425.

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

Category