322d Tactical Airlift Wing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Active1970–1975
Country United States
322d Tactical Airlift Wing
C-130 at Rhein Main Air Base
Active1970–1975
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAirlift
Insignia
Emblem used by the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing[a]
Emblem authorized for the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing[1][b]

The 322d Tactical Airlift Wing is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force.

The unit was activated as the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 January 1970 at Rhein-Main Air Base, West Germany, replacing the 7310th Tactical Airlift Wing.[1]

The 322d Wing used rotational Lockheed C-130 Hercules squadrons for tactical airlift in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. In addition, the wing used Douglas C-118 Liftmasters and Convair C-131 Samaritans for aeromedical airlift until late 1972, then shifted to Douglas C-9A Nightingales for this work, continuing aeromedical airlift operations through March 1975.[1]

The wing utilized Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers (VIP-equipped) to provide transportation for the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CINCUSAF)[dubious discuss] until early 1973, followed by KC-135B until early 1974 and by Boeing C-135 Stratolifter thereafter. It used VT-29 aircraft to support Air Force North, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization component.[1]

In March 1973, the wing gained the 7th Special Operations Squadron, equipped with Douglas C-47 Skytrain, Bell UH-1H Huey, and C-130E aircraft, which was reassigned from the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Ramstein Air Base when the 26th moved to Zweibrücken Air Base. All but the C-130s were transferred a few months later to conduct unconventional warfare operations in Europe.[1]

The wing was inactivated in June 1975 when it was replaced by the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing.[1]

Lineage

See also

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI