| 452d Air Mobility Wing | |
|---|---|
452d Air Mobility Wing emblem |
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| Active | since 1950 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | March ARB, California |
| Engagements |
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| Decorations | DUC AFOUA ROK PUC RVGC w/ Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Udo K. McGregor |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Transport | C-17 Globemaster III |
| Tanker | KC-135 Stratotanker |
The 452d Air Mobility Wing (452 AMW) is a United States Air Force air mobility unit located at March ARB, California. It is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command (AMC).
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The wing’s mission is to organize, train and equip aircrews to provide air refueling and strategic airlift any time, any place. The wing’s aircraft operate under widely varying situations ranging from small movements in battle to large movements over long distances.
The wing consists of the 452d Operations Group (452 OG) which includes a C-17 Globemaster III flying squadron and a KC-135R Stratotanker flying squadron, as well as an aeromedical evacuation squadron; the 452d Maintenance Group (452 MXG) includes two aircraft maintenance squadrons, a maintenance operations squadron and a maintenance squadron; the 452d Mission Support Group (452 MSG) includes the civil engineering squadron, communications squadron, mission support squadron, security forces squadron, two aerial port squadrons, logistic readiness squadron and a services squadron; the 452d Medical Group (452 MG) includes an aerospace medicine squadron, aeromedical staging squadron and a medical squadron. In addition, the commander has a personal staff which consists of the following offices: inspector general, legal, chaplain, financial management, public affairs, recruiting, safety plans, historian and equal opportunity.
The wing also has a medical squadron which augments joint forces with qualified, professional, aeromedical evacuation aircrews who provide medical care for sick and injured patients transported by air in peacetime and wartime.
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Trained in the Reserve as a light bombardment wing, 1949–1950. Ordered to active service during the Korean War. Moved to Japan, October–November 1950, assigned to Fifth Air Force. Arriving in Japan on 25 October, the wing's air echelon began B-26 combat operations over Korea two days later. The ground echelon arrived by ship in mid-Nov. Wing combat elements flew reconnaissance, medium-level bombardment, and close air support for ground forces in Korea, accumulating nearly 14,000 combat sorties before May 1952.
Activated on 13 June 1952, absorbing the resources of the 921st Reserve Training Wing. Trained as a tactical reconnaissance wing, 1952–1955; as a tactical bombardment wing, 1955–1957; as a troop carrier wing, 1957–1966; as a military airlift wing, 1966–1972; as a tactical airlift wing, 1972–1976. From 1957 to 1976 the 452d participated in troop carrier and airlift joint training exercises with ground forces and performed routing, special transport, and humanitarian missions within the U.S. In the early 1960s began flying missions to Alaska, including airlift support for exercises and humanitarian relief missions for the 1964 Alaska earthquake. Airlifted troops and cargo to the Dominican Republic during the 1965 contingency operation (Power Pack) to restore a stable government there. In 1965 began flying airlift missions worldwide, but especially to the Far East and Southeast Asia. Was the base host organization at Hamilton AFB, 1 October 1973 – December 1975.
Converted to an air refueling mission in 1976, the first reserve wing to directly support Strategic Air Command (SAC) bombers. From1977 participated in tanker task forces worldwide. On 1 October 1977 a wing squadron (336th) began standing permanent alert duty with the active duty bombardment wing at March AFB, a duty which continued until cancellation of SAC alert on 27 September 1991. Won the wing navigation trophy at the SAC Bombing and Navigation Competitions in 1983 and 1985 and the Saunders Trophy in 1985.
Deployed aircraft and volunteer aircrews and other personnel to Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Shield, beginning August 1990. The 336th ARS went on active duty in December 1990 and two squadron aircrews were among the first refuelers to launch on the first day of the Southwest Asia War (Desert Storm) against Iraq. Also, the Security Police Flight went on active duty and deployed to Saudi Arabia, February–June 1991
On 1 April 1993, the 445th Military Airlift Wing located at Norton AFB, California, became the first Associate Wing to transition to a "unit-equipped" wing by taking ownership of its own aircraft and resources. The wing's two flying squadrons, 729th Airlift Squadron and 730th Airlift Squadron trace their lineage directly to the 729th and 730th Bombardment Squadrons under the 452d Bombardment Wing during World War II.
In 1993, March AFB was selected for realignment. The 445th MAW was transferred from Norton AFB, to March AFB. As part of the Air Force's realignment, March's two reserve units, the 445th MAW and 452d ARW were deactivated and their personnel and equipment joined under the 452d Air Mobility Wing on 1 April 1994. On 1 April 1996, March officially became March Air Reserve Base. In 2005, the wing retired its C-141 fleet.
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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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