439th Airlift Wing, US Air Force

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search

439TH AIRLIFT WING, US AIR FORCE

History: Established as 439 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium on 19 May 1949. Activated in the Reserve on 27 Jun 1949. Ordered to active service on 1 Apr 1951. Inactivated on 3 Apr 1951. Redesignated as 439 Fighter-Bomber Wing on 26 May 1952. Activated in the Reserve on 15 Jun 1952. Inactivated on 16 Nov 1957. Redesignated as 439 Tactical Airlift Wing on 14 Mar 1974. Activated in the Reserve on 1 Apr 1974. Redesignated as: 439 Military Airlift Wing on 1 Oct 1987; 439 Airlift Wing on 1 Feb 1992.

Operations. Under supervision of the 2242 Air Force Reserve Training Center, trained as a Reserve troop carrier organization, 1949-1951, and for fighter-bomber missions, 1952-1957. Replaced 901 and 905 Tactical Airlift Groups at Westover AFB in Apr 1974 and assumed tactical airlift, special operations, satellite support, and aeromedical evacuation missions. Took part in tactical exercises, global airlift, and humanitarian missions. Gained two tactical groups and the responsibility for operating the military portion of Niagara Falls Intl Aprt on 25 Jan 1976 and Pittsburgh International Airport on 1 Oct 1980, but relinquished control of those groups in 1992. During the 1980s, took part in various training exercises involving tactical airlift, including some overseas, and rotated personnel and aircraft to Panama. Provided airlift support for the movement and training of other units and conducted local proficiency flying training missions. In 1982, the wing gave up its remaining C-123 airplanes and became an all-C-130 wing. In 1987, it traded its tactical C-130s for strategic C-5s and began flying more global airlift missions, many involving flights over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. At the conclusion of the Iran-Iraq war in 1989, the wing transported UN troops to the Persian Gulf area as cease fire observers. Airlifted troops and equipment to Panama during the incursion into Panama at the end of the year. Airlifted troops, equipment, and supplies to support global contingency, humanitarian, and anti-drug operations during the 1990s. Airlifts included troops and cargo to Europe and southwest Asia before and during the Gulf War, Patriot missiles to Israel in early 1991, and airlift of presidential helicopters to Martinque also in 1991. Provided worldwide air movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients, 2000-; transported rescue teams and equipment to New York City after terrorist attack on the US, Sep 2001; supported Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001-2002; flew tsunami relief missions in Southwest Asia, Jan 2005; humanitarian relief efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Aug-Sep 2005; Haiti relief missions, 2010.


Coat of arms (crest) of the 439th Airlift Wing, US Air Force
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

Emblem approved on 13 May 1974; latest rendering, 18 Apr 2023.

Literature:Image from Wikimedia Commons


US heraldry portal



This page is part of the
Usa.jpg
US heraldry portal


Logo-new.jpg
Heraldry of the World
Newyork.jpg

US heraldry:




  • Total pages in the US section : 20,506
Brooklyn-snyder.jpg

Ecclesiastical Heraldry of the USA:

Department of Defense.png

Military Heraldry:


Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us



© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink Ralf Hartemink arms.jpg
Index of the site