Known as the "Eagle Wing", the 436 AW consists of the operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups, in addition to 12 divisions and two detachments. The wing has over 4,000 active-duty military and civilian employees.[6] The wing's C-5 and C-17 fleet provides 25% of the nation's inter-theater airlift capability, facilitating worldwide movement of outsized cargo and personnel on scheduled, special assignment, exercise, and contingency airlift missions. The 436 AW is the only combat-ready C-5 Galaxy wing capable of employing airdrop and special operations tactics in support of worldwide airlift.[2]
The wing routinely flies airlift missions throughout the world, projecting global reach to more than 90 countries on six different continents including Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Additionally, the 436 AW operates the largest and busiest aerial port in the Department of Defense, with its passenger terminal moving over 100,000 individuals in 1998.[7]
Units
The 436th Airlift Wing is organized into a quad-group structure:
The 436th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) was established on 10 May 1949, and was activated as a reserve unit in June 1949 at Godman Air Force Base, Kentucky.[3] The wing was relocated to Standiford Municipal Airport, Kentucky in October 1950, and flew cargo and trainer aircraft under the supervision of the 2236th Air Force Reserve Training Center. From 1–16 April 1951, the wing was briefly ordered to active service, with personnel serving as fillers for other United States Air Force (USAF) units during the Korean War.[3] On 18 May 1955, the wing was reactivated as a reserve unit at Floyd Bennett Field, New York under supervision of the 2230th Air Reserve Flying Center. The wing resumed its training mission in cargo and trainer aircraft until its next deactivation in May 1958.[2]
In August 1973, the 436 MAW exchanged their remaining C-141s for the 437th Military Airlift Wing's C-5s at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, making the 436 MAW the USAF's only C-5 exclusive wing, with 38 airlifters assigned. This allowed the wing to handle heavy, outsized cargo loads, which the C-141 could not.[9] In October 1973, the 436 MAW was chosen to take part in Operation Nickel Grass, an effort to transport supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur War.[2] The wing flew 71 missions over a 32-day airlift, delivering Patton tanks, helicopters, howitzers, tractors, and radar systems, totaling more than 22,000 tons of cargo. Aircrews conducted the airlift without in-flight refueling capabilities, and the mission was considered to be the first operational test of the C-5.[8]
In October 1983, the 436 MAW flew 24 airlift missions in support of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada.[13] In March 1989, 436 MAW C-5s delivered cleanup equipment to the Exxon Valdez oil spill site in Prince William Sound, Alaska, including oil booms and skimmers.[14] While attending the June 1989 Airlift Rodeo, a 436 MAW C-5 set a National Aeronautic Association world record when it airdropped 95 tons of equipment and personnel.[15] In August 1989, the wing airlifted troops and supplies to Panama over 16 missions during Operation Just Cause.[16] Due to its heavy airlift capability, the wing played a crucial role in Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, and delivered over 130,000 tons of cargo and spare parts to Saudi Arabia as part of the Mobility Air Forces' Desert Express. Dover Air Force Base became a major airlift hub and intermediate repair facility for C-5 aircraft participating in the operation.[17]
From January–February 1991, the 436 MAW provided airlift support to Operation Desert Storm until the liberation of Kuwait on 28 February 1991.[18] Dover personnel processed and hauled nearly 140,000 tons of cargo for Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Provide Comfort after the end of the Gulf War.[19] For the remainder of 1991, the 436 MAW airlifted 580 tons of fire-fighting equipment to help extinguish oil field fires set by Iraqi forces as they retreated back to Iraq.[18] Following the Gulf War, the USAF underwent reorganization, and Air Mobility Command (AMC) replaced MAC as the manager of the United States' airlift fleet. In conjunction with the reorganization, AMC leaders redesignated the 436 MAW as the 436th Airlift Wing (436 AW) on 1 December 1991.[2]
Throughout the 1990s, the 436 AW continued to provide humanitarian and military support around the globe. In September 1992, the wing assisted in disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Andrew destroyed much of Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.[2] From 1992–1994, the wing participated in multiple international airlift missions, including Operations Provide Hope, Restore Hope, Support Hope, and Uphold Democracy.[20][2] From October–November 1994, the wing successfully removed nearly half a ton of enriched uranium from Oskemen, Kazakhstan as part of Project Sapphire, completing the longest C-5 flight in USAF history.[21] In 1996, the wing supported Operations Provide Promise and Joint Endeavor, delivering food and medical supplies to Bosnia and Herzegovina.[22][2] In November 1997, the wing began airlifting Patriot missile batteries and elements of the 347th Air Expeditionary Wing to the Persian Gulf during Operation Phoenix Scorpion I, II, III, and IV.[23] Following the aftermath of Typhoon Paka, the 436 AW helped airlift over 1,300 tons of relief supplies to Guam in January 1998.[24] In March 1999, the 436 AW supported Operation Allied Force, a bombing campaign to end Serbian aggression in Kosovo.[23] In August 1999, the wing airlifted 28 tons of equipment and a 70-person search and rescue team to Turkey as part of Operation Avid Response, after the devastating effects of the İzmit earthquake.[25] In September 1999, another earthquake ravaged the Taiwanese township of Jiji, and the 436 AW was dispatched with an 85-person search and rescue team.[23][26]
21st century
Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, 436 AW C-5s completed 850 airlift missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Personnel assigned to the 436th Aerial Port Squadron prepared over 450,000 tons of equipment–including daily rations, blankets and other necessities–for the 436 AW to transport in support of the Global War on Terrorism.[27] On 1 October 2002, the 436 AW reorganized at the direction of the USAF Chief of Staff, GeneralJohn P. Jumper. Major changes consisted of the establishment of the 436th Maintenance Group, the merging of the 436th Supply and Transportation Squadrons to form the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the redesignation of the 436th Support Group to the 436th Mission Support Group. In addition, the 436th Aircraft Generation, Component Repair, and Logistics Support Squadrons were redesignated as the 436th Aircraft Maintenance, Maintenance Operations, and Component Maintenance Squadrons.[27]
United States
United States Air Force
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