436th Airlift Wing

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436th Airlift Wing
C-17 Globemaster III

The 436th Airlift Wing is an active unit of the United States Air Force, stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The wing operates Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, and is assigned to Air Mobility Command's Eighteenth Air Force.

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:

436th Operations Group

436th Maintenance Group

  • 436th Maintenance Squadron
  • 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; maintains C-5M aircraft
  • 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; maintains C-17 aircraft
  • 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron
  • 436th Aerial Port Squadron

436th Mission Support Group

  • 436th Contracting Squadron
  • 436th Security Forces Squadron
  • 436th Force Support Squadron
  • 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron
  • 436th Communications Squadron
  • 436th Civil Engineer Squadron;

436th Medical Group

  • 436th Medical Operations Squadron
  • 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
  • 436th Medical Support Squadron

Additionally, the 436th Comptroller Squadron reports directly to the wing.

History

For related history, see 436th Operations Group.

1940s–1970s

436 MAW C-141A at Brisbane Airport, Australia supporting the visit of President Lyndon B. Johnson in October 1966.

The 436th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) was established on 10 May 1949, and was activated as a reserve unit in June 1949 at

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]

On 27 December 1965, the wing was reactivated and redesignated as the 436th Military Airlift Wing (436 MAW).

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.[8]

436 MAW C-5A participating in a 1974 Air Mobile Feasibility test.

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]

Augmented by attached reserve aircrews from the 512th Airlift Wing, the 436 MAW continued to provide critical support throughout the 1970s, including the dropping and test-firing of a LGM-30 Minuteman missile,[10] the delivery of a 40-ton superconducting magnet from O'Hare International Airport, Illinois to Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow,[9] and supporting anti-rebel efforts in Zaire,[9] earning the wing two consecutive Mackay Trophies in 1977 and 1978.[11] In December 1978, members of the 436 MAW assisted in the evacuation of North American military dependents from Iran to Dover Air Force Base.[12]

1980s–1990s

436 AW C-5 Galaxy transporting a HH-60G helicopter to Kuwait International Airport.

In October 1983, the 436 MAW flew 24 airlift missions in support of

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

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

Global War on Terrorism.[27] On 1 October 2002, the 436 AW reorganized at the direction of the USAF Chief of Staff, General John 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]

In December 2003, the 436 AW provided assistance in transporting equipment from

Fairfax County, Virginia Urban Search and Rescue Team and 45 tons of cargo.[29]

Lineage

  • Established as the 436th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) on 10 May 1949
Activated in the reserve on 27 June 1949
Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951
Inactivated on 16 April 1951
  • Activated in the reserve on 18 May 1955
Inactivated on 15 May 1958
  • Redesignated 436th Military Airlift Wing and activated on 27 December 1965 (not organized)
Organized on 8 January 1966
Redesignated 436th Airlift Wing on 1 December 1991[3]

Assignments

Components

Groups

  • 436th Troop Carrier Group (later, 436th Operations Group): 27 June 1949 – 16 April 1951; 18 May 1955 – 15 May 1958; 1 December 1991 – present[3]

Squadrons

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes

  1. ^ Maguire, Brian (13 January 2009). "Eagle Wing welcomes new commander". 436 AW Public Affairs. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Murphy, John (18 December 2011). "HISTORY OF THE 436th AIRLIFT WING" (PDF). 436th Office of History. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Robertson, Patsy (22 June 2017). "436 Airlift Wing (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  4. ^ Lee, Cydney (7 July 2023). "McDonald takes command of 436th Airlift Wing". 436 AW Public Affairs. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  5. ^ Ravenstein 1984, p. 233.
  6. ^ "436th Airlift Wing (436th AW)". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  7. ^ "DOVER AIR FORCE BASE & THE DELMARVA PENINSULA" (PDF). 436 AW Public Affairs. September 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  8. ^
    Delaware Online
    . Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Leland, John; Wilcoxson, Kathryn (May 2003). "The Chronological History of the C-5 GALAXY" (PDF). 375th Office of History. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  10. ^ Stilwell, Kathryn (28 January 2013). "AMC Museum receives historic missile". 436 AW Public Affairs. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  11. ^ Biden, Joseph (11 December 2001). "THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOVER AIR FORCE BASE" (PDF). Congressional Record. 147 (14). United States Government Printing Office: 24688–24689. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  12. ^ Warnock 2000, p. 125.
  13. ^ Warnock 2000, p. 135.
  14. ^ Haulman, Daniel. "Exxon Valdez Oil Spill". Air Mobility Command Museum. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  15. ^ Underwood 1990, p. 25.
  16. ^ Warnock 2000, p. 167.
  17. ^ Lauria 2000, pp. 10–11.
  18. ^ a b Cirafici, John (March 2001). "Airhead Operations in Kuwait: The 436th ALCE" (PDF). Air Power History. Air Force Historical Foundation. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  19. ^ Lauria 2000, p. 11.
  20. ^ Lauria 2000, pp. 11–12.
  21. ^ Hoffman, David (21 September 2009). "How U.S. Removed Half a Ton of Uranium From Kazakhstan". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  22. Air Force Magazine. Air & Space Forces Association
    . March 1996. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  23. ^ a b c Lauria 2000, p. 12.
  24. ^ Haulman 2007, p. 20.
  25. ^ Haulman 2007, p. 21.
  26. ^ Chen, Lauren (22 September 1999). "World leaders express their condolences". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  27. ^ a b c d "DOVER AFB HISTORY". 436 AW Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Spirit of Global Reach lands at Dover". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  29. ^ "AF sends aircraft to support disaster-assistance operations in Nepal". Air Force News Service. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.

Bibliography

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

External links
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