| 315th Airlift Wing | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1952-present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Type | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Charleston Air Force Base |
| Motto | Advenium – I Will Come |
| Engagements |
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| Decorations | DUC PUC AFOUA w/ V Device ROK PUC RVGC w/ Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Timothy Wrighton |
The 315th Airlift Wing (315 AW) is a wing of the United States Air Force Reserve. It is stationed at Charleston Air Force Base, in the City of North Charleston, South Carolina. If mobilzed, the unit would be a component of Air Mobility Command.
Contents |
Prepare, equip, and train personnel to be a source of augmentation for our active duty counterparts.
315th Operations Group (315 OG)
315th Maintenance Group (315 MXG)
315th Mission Support Group (315 MSG)
Established in 1953 under Far East Air Force in Japan. During the Korean War, the wing flew troop and cargo airlift and airdrop, leaflet drops, spray missions, air evacuation, search and rescue, and other aerial missions in theater as part of Far East Air Forces 315th Air Division. It remained in the Far East after the war to fly transport missions and paratroop training flights in Japan, Korea, French Indo-China, and other points until December 1954, after which it was again inactivated.
Reactivated in 1966 under Pacific Air Forces, assigned to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. Engaged in special operations directly under Seventh Air Force in Saigon, flying C-130 and C-123 aircraft with Air Commando squadrons engaging in unconventional warfare. Moved to Phan Rang AB in 1967. Also operated UC-123 aerial spraying aircraft for Operation Ranch Hand defoliation missions over South Vietnam. Phased out special operations missions in 1970 and engaged in theater transport missions within South Vietnam. In 1971, became a training organization for South Vietnamese Air Force C-123 aircrews. Inactivated in March 1972.
Reactivated in 1973 as a heavy transport wing in the Air Force Reserve, being stationed with and used airframes of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. Initially equipped with C-5 Galaxies, later exclusively with C-141 Starlifters when the C-5s were reassigned to Dover AFB in late 1973. It has since trained Air Force Reserve aircrews for strategic airlift, including channel, special assignment, and combat airlift missions. In 1980s and 1990s, personnel participated in contingency and humanitarian airlift operations and exercises worldwide. In 1994, the wing conducted the first C-17 Globemaster III flight with an all-Air Force Reserve crew. It also took part in the first joint U.S. – Russian exercise that year. Last C-141 retired in 2001; flying exclusively C-17s afterward.
Groups
Squadrons
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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