316th Wing
Encyclopedia
The 316th Wing is an inactive wing
of the United States Air Force
. It was the host wing at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Maryland
. As host wing, the 316 WG operated, administered and maintained the base.
The wing's Operations Group was a highly-decorated C-47 Skytrain
unit that served with Ninth
and Twelfth Air Force in the European and the Mediterranean theater
s during World War II
.
(316 OG)
316th Mission Support Group (316 MSG)
Squadrons
and C-82
. It was subsequently inactivated in 1949. In 1966, the unit was reactivated at Langley AFB, VA as the 316th Tactical Airlift Wing (316 TAW) of the Tactical Air Command
(TAC). The 316 TAW conducted C-130 replacement training from January 1966 to November 1967 and C-130 maintenance training from February to Dececember 1966. In late 1967, the 316 TAW relinquished its training mission and became a typical operational tactical airlift wing with the C-130E Hercules. As an operational wing, the organization operated three tactical airlift squadrons in addition to its various maintenance and support squadrons.
The 316 TAW participated in joint airborne
training, glider
training, exercises
maneuvers, and ferried freight in the United States and overseas. It also participated in worldwide tactical
airlift
operations
, humanitarian
missions, and special exercises and maneuvers, including joint airborne training. In 1973, the wing also participated in repatriation of South Vietnam
ese and American prisoners of war from North Vietnam
.
In 1975, all tactical airlift assets in TAC were transferred to the Military Airlift Command
(MAC). With TAC Headquarters being at Langley AFB, and with the pending arrival of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing (1 TFW) and the first operational F-15A
Eagles at Langley, MAC and TAC agreed to inactivate the 316 TAW and two of its three tactical airlift squadrons. All of the wing's C-130 aircraft assets were redistributed to other C-130 wings with the exception of the 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron (36 TAS), now known as the 36th Airlift Squadron
, which was reassigned with its personnel and C-130E aircraft to the 62nd Military Airlift Wing (62 MAW), now known as the 62nd Airlift Wing (62 AW), a then-C-141 Starlifter strategic airlift wing at McChord AFB, WA in the summer of 1975.
From 1980-1991, the 1776th Air Base Wing (1776 ABW) was the host wing that operated, administered and maintained Andrews AFB, MD for all its tenant commands. The 1776 ABW wing was consolidated with the newly-established 316th Wing (316 WG) on 21 June 2006. In addition to base operations and support of Andrews AFB, the 316 WG also operated UH-1N Twin Huey
aircraft for quick-reaction rotary-wing airlift in the National Capital Region. Upon the recommendation of Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
, the 11th Wing
of Bolling Air Force Base
merged with the 316th Wing and was redesignated the 11th Wing at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility.
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
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. It was the host wing at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. As host wing, the 316 WG operated, administered and maintained the base.
The wing's Operations Group was a highly-decorated C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
unit that served with Ninth
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
and Twelfth Air Force in the European and the Mediterranean theater
Mediterranean Theater
The term Mediterranean Theater can refer to:* Mediterranean Theatre of World War II, 1940–45* Mediterranean Theater of Operations, the official term for American military operations by the Army, the Navy, and the Army Air Forces in the Mediterranean region during 1942–45...
s during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Mission
Provide contingency response capability critical to national security to include emergency reaction rotary-wing airlift for the National Capital Region, combat-ready Airmen to Air and Space Expeditionary Forces, and a secure installation and robust infrastructure to support Andrews Air Force Base organizations.Units
316th Operations Group316th Operations Group
The 316th Operations Group is the flying component of the Air Force District of Washington 316th Wing, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland....
(316 OG)
- 1st Helicopter Squadron1st Helicopter SquadronThe 1st Helicopter Squadron is a United States Air Force unit based at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland assigned to the 316th Wing that supports Washington D.C. capital area airlift for the Executive Branch, high-ranking dignitaries, high ranking military leaders and other VIPs. The squadron is...
(1 HS) - 316th Operations Support Squadron (316 OSS)
316th Mission Support Group (316 MSG)
- 316th Civil Engineering Squadron (316 CES)
- 316th Security Forces Squadron (316 SFS)
- 316th Contracting Squadron (316 CONS)
- 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron (316 LRS)
- 316th Force Support Squadron (316 FSS)
History
- See the 316th Operations Group316th Operations GroupThe 316th Operations Group is the flying component of the Air Force District of Washington 316th Wing, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland....
for additional history and lineage and history prior to 1947
Lineage
- Established as 316 Troop Carrier Wing on 29 July 1947
- Organized on 15 August 1947
- Discontinued on 25 August 1948
- Redesignated 316 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, and activated on 23 August 1948
- Inactivated on 20 October 1949
- Redesignated 316 Troop Carrier Wing, Assault, and activated, on 15 November 1965
- Organized on 25 November 1965
- Redesignated: 316 Troop Carrier Wing on 1 March 1966
- Redesignated: 316 Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 May 1967
- Inactivated on 1 October 1975
- Consolidated (21 June 2006) with 1776 Air Base Wing which activated on 15 December 1980
- Inactivated on 12 July 1991
- Redesignated 316 Wing on 21 June 2006
- Activated on 22 June 2006
- Inactivated on 30 September 2010
Assignments
- Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
, 15 August 1947-25 August 1948; 23 August 1948 - 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....
, 1 February-20 October 1949 - Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
, 15 November 1965 - 840th Air Division840th Air DivisionThe 840th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Ninth Air Force, being stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. It was inactivated on 24 December 1969....
, 25 November 1965 - Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
, 24 December 1969 - 839th Air Division839th Air DivisionThe 839th Airlift Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Military Airlift Command, assigned to Twenty-First Air Force, being stationed at Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee...
, 31 March 1970
- Twenty-First Air ForceTwenty-First Air ForceThe 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. It is headquartered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey$3...
, 31 December 1974-1 October 1975
- Attached to Operating Location A, Headquarters Twenty-First Air Force, 31 December 1974-30 June 1975
- 76th Airlift Division76th Airlift DivisionThe 76 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....
, 15 December 1980 - Twenty-First Air ForceTwenty-First Air ForceThe 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. It is headquartered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey$3...
, 1 October 1985-12 July 1991 - Air Force District of WashingtonAir Force District of WashingtonAir Force District of Washington is composed of two wings and one group, the 11th Wing, the 79th Medical Wing and the 844th Communication Group at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility...
, 22 June 2006–30 September 2010
- 76th Airlift Division
Components
Groups- 316 Troop Carrier (later, 316 Operations) Group316th Operations GroupThe 316th Operations Group is the flying component of the Air Force District of Washington 316th Wing, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland....
: 15 August 1947-25 August 1948; 23 August 1948-20 October 1949; 22 June 2006–30 September 2010
Squadrons
- 29th Tactical Airlift Squadron: 1 April-15 November 1971
- 36 Troop Carrier (later, 36 Tactical Airlift) Squadron36th Airlift SquadronThe 36th Airlift Squadron is the only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific Area of Responsibility. Formerly an Air Mobility Command unit, and a Military Airlift Command and a Tactical Air Command unit before that, the squadron is now part of Pacific Air Forces...
: 1 April 1966-25 March 1968 (detached 28 March-29 June 1967); 5 July 1968-1 July 1975 (detached 25 February-15 June 1969, 24 November 1969-7 February 1970, 13 August-18 October 1970, 12 July-10 September 1971, 20 May-8 September 1972, 12 March-18 May 1973, 14 January-16 March 1974, and 13 August-16 October 1974 - 37 Troop Carrier (later, 37 Tactical Airlift) Squadron37th Airlift SquadronThe 37th Airlift Squadron is part of the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It operates C-130J Super Hercules aircraft providing theater airlfit.-History:...
: 1 October 1966-15 September 1975 (detached 24 September-21 December 1967, 27 April-13 May 1968, 24 November 1968-5 March 1969, 13 July-26 September 1969, 1 March-11 May 1970, 7 February-13 April 1971, 5 January-13 March 1972, 30 November 1972-15 March 1973, 31 August-16 November 1973, 12 April-29 June 1974, and 5 April-15 June 1975) - 38 Troop Carrier (later, 38 Tactical Airlift) Squadron38th Troop Carrier SquadronThe 38h Troop Carrier Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 10th Troop Carrier Group, based at Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base, North Carolina...
: 1 January 1967-1 July 1969 (detached 5 February-22 July 1968); 15 November 1971-31 August 1975 (detached 13 March-16 May 1972, 31 August-5 December 1972, 18 May-13 July 1973, 29 August-3 October 1973, 13 December 1974-15 February 1975; not operational, 1 July-31 August 1975)
Stations
- Greenville AAB (later, AFB)Donaldson Air Force BaseDonaldson Air Force Base is a closed facility of the United States Air Force. Currently known as Donaldson Center, the former Air Force Base is located south of Greenville, South Carolina....
, 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...
, 15 August 1947-25 August 1948 - Greenville AFBDonaldson Air Force BaseDonaldson Air Force Base is a closed facility of the United States Air Force. Currently known as Donaldson Center, the former Air Force Base is located south of Greenville, South Carolina....
, 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...
, 23 August 1948-20 October 1949 - Langley AFB, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 25 November 1965-1 October 1975 - Andrews AFB, MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, 15 December 1980-12 July 1991; 22 June 2006–30 September 2010
Aircraft
- C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1947–1949) - C-82 PacketC-82 PacketThe C-82 Packet was a twin-engine, twin-boom cargo aircraft designed and built by Fairchild Aircraft. It was used briefly by the United States Army Air Forces and United States Navy following World War II.-Design and development:...
(1947–1949) - CG-15 Waco (1947–1949)
- 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...
(1966–1975) - UH-1N Twin HueyUH-1N Twin HueyThe Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
(2006 – present)
Operations
The wing was originally established as the 316th Troop Carrier Wing in 1947 at the former Greeneville AFB, SC, primarily operating the C-47C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
and C-82
C-82 Packet
The C-82 Packet was a twin-engine, twin-boom cargo aircraft designed and built by Fairchild Aircraft. It was used briefly by the United States Army Air Forces and United States Navy following World War II.-Design and development:...
. It was subsequently inactivated in 1949. In 1966, the unit was reactivated at Langley AFB, VA as the 316th Tactical Airlift Wing (316 TAW) of the Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(TAC). The 316 TAW conducted C-130 replacement training from January 1966 to November 1967 and C-130 maintenance training from February to Dececember 1966. In late 1967, the 316 TAW relinquished its training mission and became a typical operational tactical airlift wing with the C-130E Hercules. As an operational wing, the organization operated three tactical airlift squadrons in addition to its various maintenance and support squadrons.
The 316 TAW participated in joint airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
training, glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
training, 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...
maneuvers, and ferried freight in the United States and overseas. It also participated in worldwide tactical
Military tactics
Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...
airlift
Airlift
Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...
operations
Military operation
Military operation is the coordinated military actions of a state in response to a developing situation. These actions are designed as a military plan to resolve the situation in the state's favor. Operations may be of combat or non-combat types, and are referred to by a code name for the purpose...
, 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...
missions, and special exercises and maneuvers, including joint airborne training. In 1973, the wing also participated in repatriation of South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South 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...
ese and American prisoners of war from North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
.
In 1975, all tactical airlift assets in TAC were transferred to the Military Airlift Command
Military Airlift Command
The Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(MAC). With TAC Headquarters being at Langley AFB, and with the pending arrival of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing (1 TFW) and the first operational F-15A
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
Eagles at Langley, MAC and TAC agreed to inactivate the 316 TAW and two of its three tactical airlift squadrons. All of the wing's C-130 aircraft assets were redistributed to other C-130 wings with the exception of the 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron (36 TAS), now known as the 36th Airlift Squadron
36th Airlift Squadron
The 36th Airlift Squadron is the only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific Area of Responsibility. Formerly an Air Mobility Command unit, and a Military Airlift Command and a Tactical Air Command unit before that, the squadron is now part of Pacific Air Forces...
, which was reassigned with its personnel and C-130E aircraft to the 62nd Military Airlift Wing (62 MAW), now known as the 62nd Airlift Wing (62 AW), a then-C-141 Starlifter strategic airlift wing at McChord AFB, WA in the summer of 1975.
From 1980-1991, the 1776th Air Base Wing (1776 ABW) was the host wing that operated, administered and maintained Andrews AFB, MD for all its tenant commands. The 1776 ABW wing was consolidated with the newly-established 316th Wing (316 WG) on 21 June 2006. In addition to base operations and support of Andrews AFB, the 316 WG also operated UH-1N Twin Huey
UH-1N Twin Huey
The Bell UH-1N Twin Huey is a medium military helicopter that first flew in April, 1969. The UH-1N has a fifteen seat configuration, with one pilot and fourteen passengers. In cargo configuration the UH-1N has an internal capacity of 220 ft³ . An external load of 5,000 lb can be carried...
aircraft for quick-reaction rotary-wing airlift in the National Capital Region. Upon the recommendation of Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
The preliminary 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list was released by the United States Department of Defense on May 13, 2005. It is the fifth Base Realignment and Closure proposal generated since the process was created in 1988. It recommends closing 33 major United States military bases and...
, the 11th Wing
11th Wing
The 11th Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Force District of Washington. It is stationed at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Maryland. It is the host unit at Joint Base Andrews....
of Bolling Air Force Base
Bolling Air Force Base
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is a military installation, located in Southeast Washington, D.C., established on 1 October 2010 in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission...
merged with the 316th Wing and was redesignated the 11th Wing at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility.