| 167th Airlift Wing | |
|---|---|
167th Airlift Wing emblem |
|
| Active | 1958–present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Wing |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, West Virginia |
| Motto | Mountaineer Pride Worldwide |
The United States Air Force's 167th Airlift Wing is a unit located at Shepherd Field, Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Contents |
The West Virginia Air National Guard was officially federally recognized on March 7, 1947, as the 167th Fighter Squadron, based at Kanawha Airport in Charleston. During the early years of the 167th, it flew the T-6 Texan trainer, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt. The unit was activated October 10, 1950 during the Korean War, and was designated the 167th Fighter Bomber Squadron when it returned on July 10, 1952.
In December 1955, the unit was redesignated as the 167th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, and relocated to Eastern West Virginia Region Airport in Martinsburg, WV. The unit was slated to receive jet aircraft, and due to the limitations of Kanawha Airport at the time, could not use that airfield. Following a two-year expansion of the runway in Martinsburg, the unit received the F-86 Sabrejet, which would remain with them until 1961.
On 1 April, the 167th again changed aircraft when the unit received C-119 Flying Boxcars, manufactured by Fairchild. A new mission and name change also took effect: The 167th Aeromedical Transport Squadron, Light. The mission became evacuation and care of the sick and wounded. The changes resulted in an increase of manpower and the addition of nurses to the unit. The authorized strength had grown to 572 total airmen and officers.
Aircraft changes in 1963 saw the arrival of the C-121 Super Constellation with its worldwide operating capability. Staffing increased to 604 enlisted and 107 officers. Overseas missions flown to Puerto Rico, the Azores, France, England, Germany, Spain and Bermuda were not uncommon. The unit began flying missions to the Pacific areas in 1965 and 1966. During 1966, the Super Constellations made 103 overseas flights, including 26 to Vietnam and 77 to other outposts such as Thailand, Australia, Japan and the Philippines, carrying 1198 tons of military cargo and 1390 passengers
In 1995, the unit began conversion training for the C-130H-3 in the first quarter and transferred most of the "E" models to Peoria, Illinois. The Civil Engineers deployed to Panama and the Medical Squadron deployed to Honduras. Most of the sections took part in a deployment to Alpena, Michigan in September where chemical exercises and other special training took place. The unit celebrated its 40th anniversary on 10 June 1995 with an open house and dance.
Since the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. in 2001, the unit has had members deployed to the four corners of the world in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Unit members have received six Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts in support of these operations.
In December 2006, the 167th received its first C-5 Galaxy, out of a total of 10 aircraft. The runway at Shepherd Field in Martinsburg was expanded and reinforced to accommodate the much larger and heavier Galaxy.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||