76th Airlift Division
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| 76th Airlift Division | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1976–1977; 1980–1985 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Division |
| Role | Command of special airlift forces |
| Part of | Military Airlift Command Twenty-First Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Brigadier General Archer L. Durham Brigadier General Albert C. Guidotti Brigadier General Paul A. Harvey |
| Insignia | |
| 76th Airlift Division emblem (approved c. July 1976)[1] |  |
The 76th Airlift Division was a division of the United States Air Force, activated on 1 March 1976, inactivated on 30 September 1977, reactivated on 15 December 1980, and then inactivated again on 1 October 1985. Its principal subordinate units were the 89th Military Airlift Wing and the 1776th Air Base Wing. The division was formed as a restructuring of Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force, and provided command oversight for presidential airlift, executive transport, and base support at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.
From 1976 through 1977, and again after 1980, the 76th provided airlift support for the President, Vice President, cabinet members, and other high-ranking civilian and military dignitaries of the United States and other governments. Subordinate units operated, administered, and maintained Andrews Air Force Base and provided logistical support for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) and other flying units. One subordinate component, the 1st Helicopter Squadron, supported the United States Department of Defense, the Defense Preparedness Agency plan for emergency evacuation of key government officials, and the national search and rescue plan.[1]
During its first activation (1976–1977), the 89th Military Airlift Wing served under the division. As part of the October 1977 reorganization that redesignated the division as the 76th Military Airlift Wing, the 89th was reduced in status to the 89th Military Airlift Group. On 15 December 1980, when the division was reactivated, the 89th Military Airlift Group was restored to wing status, and the 76th Air Base Group was redesignated the 1776th Air Base Wing.[1]
