62d Airlift Wing

Lineage

Established as 62d Troop Carrier Wing on 28 Jul 1947. Organized on 15 Aug 1947. Redesignated: 62d Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, on 22 Aug 1948; 62d Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy, on 12 Oct 1949. Inactivated on 1 Jun 1950. Activated on 17 Sep 1951. Redesignated: 62d Air Transport Wing, Heavy, on 1 Jan 1965; 62d Military Airlift Wing on 8 Jan 1966; 62d Airlift Wing on 1 Dec 1991.

Assignments

Twelfth Air Force, 15 Aug 1947; Fourth Air Force, 10 Dec 1948?1 Jun 1950. Eighteenth Air Force, 17 Sep 1951; Twenty-Second Air Force, 1 Jul 1957; Fifteenth Air Force, 1 Jul 1993?.

Aircraft

C?82, 1947?1950; C?54, 1949?1950. C?124, 1951?1969; C?54, 1952; C?141, 1966?; C?130, 1975?1989.

Operations

Conducted troop carrier operations, tactical exercises, and humanitarian missions initially with C?82s and later with C?54s, 1947?1950. Provided training for 302d Troop Carrier Wing, a Reserve corollary, Jun 1949?May 1950. Not operational 2 May?1 Jun 1950. Trained in troop carrier operations with C?124s and C?54s at McChord AFB, WA, in late 1951 and early 1952. Moved to Larson AFB, WA, in Apr 1952. From Larson, routinely performed troop carrier, air transport, and humanitarian missions on a global scale. Participated in the airlift of French troops from France to Indo-China in Operation BALI-HAI, Apr?May 1954. Provided a major portion of the airlift needed to construct the distant early warning (DEW) line in northern Alaska and Canada, 1955?1956, and thereafter periodically resupplied the DEW line stations. During the international geophysical year 1957?1958, and subsequently through 1962, supported scientific stations in the Arctic Ocean by airlanding and airdropping supplies on the drifting ice. Moved to McChord AFB in 1960. Helped transport UN troops and supplies to the Congo in 1960. Assumed responsibility in 1963 for worldwide airlift of nuclear weapons and associated equipment, continuing this mission through early 1971. Assumed airlift of Minuteman missiles from depots to operating sites in Apr 1971. In 1972, supported Presidential trips to China and the Soviet Union. From 12 Feb to 1 Apr 1973, transported former prisoners of war from North Vietnam to the Philippines and the United States. That same year, transported UN troops from Indonesia to Israel and Egypt as part of a peacekeeping effort. From Oct 1975 to Oct 1977, maintained a detachment of C?130s in the Canal Zone to support USAF needs in Central and South America. Airlifted troops and supplies during invasion of Grenada, also airlifted university students to safety, Oct?Nov 1983. Participated in the airdrop of heavy equipment and personnel during military action in Panama, 20 Dec 1989. Airlifted personnel and equipment in support of American involvement in Southwest Asia and operated airlift control elements at Zaragoza, Spain, to direct cargo and personnel destined for Southwest Asia, Aug 1990?Mar 1991. Evacuated and gave assistance to Americans at Clark AFB and Subic Bay Naval Base, who were displaced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippine Islands, Jun?Jul 1991.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. Grenada, 1983.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1961?1 Nov 1962; 1 Jul 1965? 15 Jul 1966; 1 Jul 1969?30 Jun 1970; 1 Jul 1973?30 Jun 1974; 1 Jul 1981? 30 Jun 1983; 1 Jul 1983?30 Jun 1985; 14 Jun?3 Jul 1991.

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display honors earned by the 62d Operations Group prior 15 Aug 1947.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.

Decorations. None.