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The 403d Wing is a United States Air Force Reserve wing located at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. With a military manning authorization of more than 1,400 reservists, including some 250 full-time air reserve technicians, the 403rd Wing performs dual missions: tactical airlift support during peace- and war-time contingencies, and aerial weather reconnaissance in support of the Department of Commerce.
[edit] History
The 403rd Wing's distinguished history dates to World War II, when it was activated as a troop carrier group. The wing was inactivated after the war and reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1949. The unit has been called to active duty twice: in support of the war effort in Korea and in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Its most memorable accomplishments, however, have been while flying reserve-status humanitarian airlift missions such as those flown during Operation Provide Relief, rescue missions supporting the space shuttle program, providing airlift support to U.S. Southern Command and U.S. embassies within Central and South America, and participating in real-world war contingencies such as Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Provide Promise, Provide Comfort, Uphold Democracy, and Provide Relief.
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