| 446th Airlift Wing | |
|---|---|
| Active | 11 April 1955 — present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Air Force |
| Type | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Lewis-McChord |
| Decorations | AFOUA RVGC w/ Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel William N. Flanigan |
The 446th Airlift Wing (446 AW) is a United States Air Force Reserve unit. The wing is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. If ordered to Active Service, the unit would come under the Air Mobility Command 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force.
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The primary mission of the 446 AW is to provide combat airlift for the United States military.
The Wing has three groups, 13 squadrons and five flights. While it mirrors the organization of the 62d Airlift Wing, there are three units unique to the Reserve—the Airlift Control Flight, the Aeromedical Staging Squadron, and the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.
It mirrors its active duty counterparts in its participation in exercises, inspections and the Expeditionary Aerospace Force along with daily operational missions.
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The 446 AW began by Training in troop carrier and tactical airlift operations, 1955-1972. The 446 AW was the first Air Force Reserve organization to implement the Air Reserve Technician (ART) plan, in 1958. By 1959, the wing transported and airdropped troops and supplies during training exercises. The 446 AW flew experimental drop missions in support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from 1962-1967. Between 1958 and 1972, the wing operated the USAF Combat Crew Training School, the first Air Force Reserve institution that trained active duty crews. They ferried C-130s to Taiwan in 1966 and to Southeast Asia, 1968-1970. Since 1973 the 446 AW has been co-located with 62d Airlift Wing and used its aircraft. The wing flew special assignment, channel, and humanitarian airlift missions worldwide, and took part in joint and combined training exercises involving airlift of troops and cargo. The wing's operational squadrons took part in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991.
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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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