315th Airlift Wing
Encyclopedia
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of the United States Air Force Reserve. It is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston Air Force Base
Joint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
, in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. If mobilzed, the unit would be a component of Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
.
Mission
Prepare, equip, and train personnel to be a source of augmentation for our active dutyActive duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
counterparts.
Subordinate organizations
315th Operations Group315th Operations Group
The 315th Operations Group is a United States Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing. The unit is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina....
(315 OG)
- 300th Airlift Squadron300th Airlift SquadronThe 300th Airlift Squadron is part of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-History:...
(300 AS) - 317th Airlift Squadron317th Airlift SquadronThe 317th Airlift Squadron is part of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-Mission:...
(317 AS) - 701st Airlift Squadron701st Airlift SquadronThe 701st Airlift Squadron is part of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing global airlfit.-Mission:...
(701 AS) - 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (315 AES)
- 315th Airlift Control Flight (315 ACF)
315th Maintenance Group (315 MXG)
- 315th Maintenance Squadron (315 MXS)
- 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (315 AMXS)
- 315th Maintenance Operations Squadron (315 MOS)
315th Mission Support Group (315 MSG)
- 38th Aerial Port Squadron (38 APS)
- 53d Aerial Port Squadron (53 APS)
- 81st Aerial Port Squadron (81 APS)
- 84th Aerial Port Squadron (84 APS)
- 315th Civil Engineering Squadron (315 CES)
- 315th Mission Support Squadron (315 MSS)
- 315th Security Forces Squadron (315 SFS)
- 315th Services Flight (315 SVF)
- 315th Logistics Readiness Flight (315 LRF)
History
- For additional lineage and history, see: 315th Operations Group315th Operations GroupThe 315th Operations Group is a United States Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the 315th Airlift Wing. The unit is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina....
Established in 1953 under Far East Air Force in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the wing flew troop and cargo airlift and airdrop, leaflet drops, spray missions, air evacuation, search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
, and other aerial missions in theater
Theater (warfare)
In warfare, a theater, is defined as an area or place within which important military events occur or are progressing. The entirety of the air, land, and sea area that is or that may potentially become involved in war operations....
as part of Far East Air Forces 315th Air Division
315th Air Division
The 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
. It remained in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
after the war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
to fly transport missions and paratroop training flights in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, French Indo-China, and other points until December 1954, after which it was again inactivated.
Reactivated in 1966 under Pacific Air Forces, assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. It is located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
, South Vietnam. Engaged in special operations directly under Seventh Air Force in Saigon, flying C-130 and C-123 aircraft with Air Commando squadrons engaging in unconventional warfare. Moved to Phan Rang AB in 1967. Also operated UC-123 aerial spraying aircraft for Operation Ranch Hand defoliation missions over South Vietnam. Phased out special operations missions in 1970 and engaged in theater transport missions within South Vietnam. In 1971, became a training organization for South Vietnamese Air Force
Vietnam Air Force
The Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...
C-123 aircrews. Inactivated in March 1972.
Reactivated in 1973 as a heavy transport wing in the Air Force Reserve, being stationed with and used airframes of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base
Charleston Air Force Base
Joint Base Charleston is a United States military facility located in North Charleston, South Carolina. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 628th Air Base Wing, Air Mobility Command...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Initially equipped with C-5 Galaxies, later exclusively with C-141 Starlifters when the C-5s were reassigned to Dover AFB in late 1973. It has since trained Air Force Reserve
Military reserve
A military reserve, tactical reserve, or strategic reserve is a group of military personnel or units which are initially not committed to a battle by their commander so that they are available to address unforeseen situations or exploit suddenly developing...
aircrews for strategic
Military strategy
Military strategy is a set of ideas implemented by military organizations to pursue desired strategic goals. Derived from the Greek strategos, strategy when it appeared in use during the 18th century, was seen in its narrow sense as the "art of the general", 'the art of arrangement' of troops...
airlift, including channel, special assignment, and combat airlift missions. In 1980s and 1990s, personnel participated in contingency and humanitarian
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
airlift operations and exercises
Military exercise
A military exercise is the employment of military resources in training for military operations, either exploring the effects of warfare or testing strategies without actual combat...
worldwide. In 1994, the wing conducted the first C-17 Globemaster III flight with an all-Air Force Reserve crew. It also took part in the first joint U.S. – Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n exercise that year. Last C-141 retired in 2001; flying exclusively C-17s afterward.
Lineage
- Established as 315th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, on 23 May 1952
- Activated on 10 June 1952
- Inactivated on 18 January 1955
- Redesignated 315th Air Commando Wing, Troop Carrier, and activated, on 21 February 1966
- Organized on 8 March 1966
- Redesignated: 315th Air Commando Wing on 1 August 1967
- Redesignated: 315th Special Operations Wing on 1 August 1968
- Redesignated: 315th Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 January 1970
- Inactivated on 31 March 1972
- Redesignated 315th Military Airlift Wing (Associate) on 29 January 1973
- Activated in the Reserve on 1 July 1973
- Redesignated: 315th Airlift Wing (Associate) on 1 February 1992
- Redesignated: 315th Airlift Wing on 1 October 1994
Assignments
- 315th Air Division315th Air DivisionThe 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
(Combat Cargo), 10 June 1952-18 January 1955 - Pacific Air Forces, 21 February 1966
- 315th Air Division315th Air DivisionThe 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
(Combat Cargo), 8 March 1966
- Attached to 2d Air Division, 8–31 March 1966
- Attached to Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 1 April-15 October 1966- 834th Air Division, 15 October 1966
- Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 1 December 1971-31 March 1972 - Eastern Air Force Reserve Region, 1 July 1973
- Fourteenth Air ForceFourteenth Air ForceThe Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
, 8 October 1976 - Twenty-Second Air ForceTwenty-Second Air ForceTwenty-Second Air Force is a Numbered Air Force component of Air Force Reserve Command . It was activated on 1 July 1993 and is headquartered at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia....
, 1 July 1993–present
Components
Groups- 315 Troop Carrier (later, 315 Operations): 10 June 1952-18 January 1955; 1 August 1992–present
Squadrons
- 8th Special Operations Squadron8th Special Operations SquadronThe 8th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.-Mission:...
: 31 July 1971-15 January 1972 (detached 5–15 January 1972). 9 Special Operations: 30 September 1971-29 February 1972 (detached 9 January-29 February 1972)
- 12th Air Commando (later, 12 Special Operations) Squadron12th Airborne Command and Control SquadronThe 12th Airborne Command and Control Squadron is a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard that flies the E-8C Joint STARS. Its parent unit is the 116th Air Control Wing.-History:...
: 15 October 1966-30 September 1970 - 19th Air Commando (later 19 Special Operations) Squadron19th Special Operations SquadronThe 19th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It conducts crew training for AC-130 and MC-130 aircraft.-World War II:...
: 8 March 1966-10 June 1971 - 309th Air Commando (later, 309 Special Operations, 309 Tactical Airlift) Squadron309th Airlift SquadronThe 309th Airlift Squadron is part of the 86th Airlift Wing at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. It operates C-37 aircraft providing executive airlfit for NATO.-History:...
: 8 March 1966-31 July 1970 - 310th Air Commando (later, 310 Special Operations, 310 Tactical Airlift) Squadron310th Airlift SquadronThe 310th Airlift Squadron is part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It operates C-37 aircraft providing executive airlfit for Combatant Commanders.-Mission:...
: 8 March 1966-15 January 1972, attached 16–26 January 1972 - 311th Air Commando (later, 311 Special Operations, 311 Tactical Airlift) Squadron311th Airlift SquadronThe 311th Airlift Squadron is part of the 375th Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. It operates C-21 aircraft providing executive airlfit for Combatant Commanders.-History:...
: 8 March 1966-5 October 1971
- 300th Military Airlift (later, 300 Airlift) Squadron300th Airlift SquadronThe 300th Airlift Squadron is part of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-History:...
: 1 July 1973-1 August 1992 - 701st Military Airlift (later, 701 Airlift) Squadron701st Airlift SquadronThe 701st Airlift Squadron is part of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft providing global airlfit.-Mission:...
: 1 July 1973-1 August 1992 - 707th Military Airlift (later, 707 Airlift) Squadron: 1 July 1973-1 August 1992
- 317th Airlift Squadron317th Airlift SquadronThe 317th Airlift Squadron is part of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. It operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft supporting the United States Air Force global reach mission world wide.-Mission:...
: 1 April-1 August 1992
Stations
- Brady AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 10 June 1952-18 January 1955 - Tan Son Nhut AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 8 March 1966 - Phan Rang AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 15 June 1967-31 March 1972 - Charleston AFB, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, 1 July 1973–present
Aircraft
- C-46 CommandoC-46 CommandoThe Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C...
(1952–1955) - CV-2 CaribouDe Havilland Canada DHC-4 CaribouThe de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou is a Canadian-designed and produced specialized cargo aircraft with short takeoff and landing capability...
(1949–1952) - UC-123C-123 ProviderThe C-123 Provider was an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and subsequently built by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Air Force...
(1966–1971) - C-123 ProviderC-123 ProviderThe C-123 Provider was an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and subsequently built by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Air Force...
(1966–1972) - C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1966)
- A-37 DragonflyCessna T-37The Cessna T-37 Tweet is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which flew for decades as a primary trainer for the United States Air Force and in the air forces of several other nations...
(1971–1972) - O-2 SkymasterO-2 SkymasterThe O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster utilized as an observation and forward air control aircraft...
(1971–1972) - C-5 GalaxyC-5 GalaxyThe Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
(1973) - C-141 StarlifterC-141 StarlifterThe Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a military strategic airlifter in service with the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force...
(1973–2001) - C-17 Globemaster IIIC-17 Globemaster IIIThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
(1993 – present)
Operations
- Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
- Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
- Operation Urgent Fury
- Operation Just Cause