322d Tactical Airlift Wing

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

322d Air Expeditionary Group
C-130 at Rhein Main Air Base
Active1970–1975
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Insignia
Emblem used by the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing[1]
Emblem authorized for the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing[2][3]

History

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.[2]

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 C-118s and C-131s for aeromedical airlift until late 1972, then shifted to C-9As for this work, continuing aeromedical airlift operations through March 1975.[2]

The wing utilized KC-135 (VIP equipped) to provide transportation for CINCUSAFE until early 1973, followed by KC-135B until early 1974 and by C-135C thereafter. Used VT-29 aircraft to support Air Force North, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization component.[2]

In March 1973, the wing gained the 7th Special Operations Squadron, equipped with C-47, UH-1H, and C-130E aircraft, which was reassigned from the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Ramstein Air Base when the 26th moved to Zweibrücken AB. All but the C-130s were transferred a few months later, to conduct unconventional warfare operations in Europe.[2]

The wing was inactivated in June 1975 when it was replaced by the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing.[2]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing on 21 November 1969
  • Activated on 1 January 1970
Inactivated on 30 June 1975[2]

Assignments

Components
Assigned
  • 7th Special Operations Squadron: 15 March 1973 – 30 June 1976
  • 55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron: 1 January 1970 – 31 March 1975
  • 7406th Support Squadron (later 7406th Operations Squadron: 15 November 1971 – 30 June 1974
  • 7411 Support Flight (later 7411th Operations Flight: 1 February 1972 – 1 February 1975[2]
Attached C-130 rotation squadrons

Bases assigned

Aircraft
  • C-130 (1970–1975)
  • VC-131 (1973–1974)
  • UH-1 (1973)
  • C-9 (1972–1975)
  • C-135 (1972–1974)
  • VC-118 (1971–1972)
  • C-131 (1970–1975)
  • VT-29 (1970–1975)
  • VC-54 (1970)
  • C-47 Skytrain (1970–1972)
  • KC-135 (1970–1974)
  • C-118 (1970–1972)[2]

See also

Notes
  1. This emblem was approved for the 322d Air Division. It was not authorized for the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing, but was used by it throughout its existence
  2. Ravensein, pp. 123–124
  3. This emblem was authorized for the 322d Bombardment Group. The group's historical materials, including its emblem were temporarily bestowed on the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing while the wing was active.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

  • Ravenstein, Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
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