| 512th Airlift Wing | |
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512th Airlift Wing emblem |
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| Active | 4 August 1949 – 1 April 1951 June 1952 – June 1971 July 1973 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Airlift |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command Air Mobility Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Dover Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Liberty Wing |
| Decorations | AFOUA RVGC w/ Palm |
The 512th Airlift Wing, an associate C-5 Galaxy Air Force Reserve unit is located at Dover AFB, Delaware. The 512 AW helps maintain, repair and flies the same aircraft as its active duty counterparts. Members of the 512 AW work side-by-side with members of the 436th Airlift Wing (436 AW) in fulfilling the mission, maintaining and flying the C-5, and working together to form the "Dover Team".
As one of only two Air Force Reserve Associate units flying the C-5, the 512 AW has a unique role in the Air Force. The first C-5 all-reserve aircrew flew out of Dover AFB November 1973.
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Recruit, train, equip and retain a qualified force to augment major commands with people and units to support strategic aircraft during peace and war.
The 512th Airlift Wing traces its origins to the 512th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, 4 August 1949. Reading Municipal Airport, Pennsylvania, housed the Wing just short of a year before it was transferred to New Castle County Airport, Delaware, in April 1950. In March of the following year the Wing mobilized for the first time for the Korean War, but was inactivated two weeks later 1 April 1951.
In June 1952, the 512th Troop Carrier Wing was again activated in the Reserve and stationed at New Castle County Airport. 512th aircrews flew C-46 Commandos throughout the periods of reserve and active status. In 1957, the Wing converted to C-119 Flying Boxcars. After that transition, the Wing was transferred to Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, in July 1958. While at NAS Willow Grove, the Cuban Missile Crisis thrust the Wing into active service for one month, beginning 28 October 1962.
The 512th Troop Carrier Wing, (Medium), was redesignated the 512th Troop Carrier Wing in January 1965. That same month the Wing was transferred without personnel or equipment to Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. Aircrews conducted training and airlift operations in C-124 Globemasters. While stationed at Carswell AFB, two more name changes occurred: 1 December 1965, the Wing was redesignated the 512th Transportation Wing, (Heavy), and on 1 January 1966, was redesignated the 512th Military Airlift Wing. On 29 June 1971, the Wing was inactivated for a second time.
On 29 January 1973 the wing was redesignated the 512th Military Airlift Wing (Associate) and activated in the Reserve on 1 July 1973 at Dover AFB, Delaware flying the C-5A Galaxy aircraft. Upon activation at Dover AFB, the 512 AW absorbed the personnel of the 912th Military Airlift Group (Associate) stationed at Dover AFB.The 912th Military Airlift Group (Associate) previously assigned to the 514th Military Airlift Wing, McGuire AFB, New Jersey, for administrative support, but stationed and operated at Willow Grove ARS, PA. The 912th Military Airlift group moved from Willow Grove ARS to Dover AFB, in September 1968. Equipped with C-141 Starlifter aircraft, the 912th became the third associate group in the Air Force Reserve to fly the C-141. The wing was redesignated the 512th Airlift Wing on 1 October 1994.
Many missions have been flown by the Citizen Airman of the 512th Airlift Wing. Over 1,300 members of the 512th were recalled to active duty during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Fliers, Maintenance Specialists, Aerial Porters, Medical Personnel, and Security Police were deployed around the world as well as stateside for more than a year. In 2007, the Wing began a new era in airlift when the 326th Airlift Squadron began flying the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft when it received their first C-17 on 31 May 2007.
Col Randal L. Bright serves as the 512th Airlift Wing's commander.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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