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322d Airlift Division

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322d Airlift Division
C-130E Herculesof the 435th Wing[a]
Active1944–1946; 1947–1949; 1954–1968; 1978–1992
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleCommand ofairliftforces
EngagementsSouthwest Pacific Theater[1]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
322d Airlift Division emblem[b][1]

The322d Airlift Divisionis an inactiveUnited States Air Forceorganization. Its last assignment was withMilitary Airlift Command,assigned toTwenty-First Air Force,being stationed atRamstein Air Base,Germany, where it was inactivated on 1 April 1992.

History[edit]

DuringWorld War II,the322d Troop Carrier Wingprimarily carried high priority cargo destined forAir Corpsorganizations in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA). Besides carrying passengers and cargo, it evacuated wounded personnel and flew courier routes in SWPA.

Active in thereservefrom June 1947 to June 1949, it supervised subordinate unit training.

From March 1954, the322d Air Divisionwas responsible for airlifting personnel, cargo, and mail in Europe. Almost immediately after it commenced operations in Europe, the 322d became involved in a major airlift of French troops (Project Bali Hai) from bases in France to Indochina. Initially concerned only with operations in West Germany and France, it soon began operating throughout the entireUnited States Air Forces in Europe(USAFE) area of responsibility. In addition to its routine duties, the division supported numerous humanitarian missions to Turkey, Iran, Morocco, and Pakistan, among other states.

It also provided airlift support in the following crises: the nationalization of theSuez Canalin 1956; theHungarian Revolution of 1956;the1958 Lebanon crisis;support forUN forces in the Congo in 1960–1961;theinvasion of India by Communist Chinese forces in 1962–1963;airlift ofpeacekeeping forces to Cyprusin 1964; and theMiddle East crisis of 1967.

Between 1954 and 1968, the division supported numerous USAFE and NATO exercises.

From June 1978, the 322d managed tactical airlift forces stationed and operating in the European theater and coordinated strategic airlift from the United States and other origins. It also assumed responsibility for all aeromedical operations and administrative airlift in the theater, including highly positioned military and civilian U.S. and foreign government officials. In addition, the division supported military exercises such as Ardent Ground, Dawn Patrol, Flintlock, and Cold Fire/Reforger.

In 1985 the 322d acquired peacetime responsibility for airlift management in Africa.

Lineage[edit]

  • Established as the322d Troop Carrier Wingon 4 December 1944
Activated on 30 December 1944
Inactivated on 15 February 1946
  • Activated in the reserve on 12 June 1947
Redesignated322d Air Division,Troop Carrier on 16 April 1948.
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
  • Redesignated322d Air Division(Combat Cargo) and activated on 1 March 1954
Redesignated322d Air Divisionon 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 24 December 1968
  • Redesignated322d Airlift Divisionon 13 June 1978
Activated on 23 June 1978
Inactivated on 1 April 1992[1]

Assignments[edit]

Stations[edit]

Operational components[edit]

Wings[edit]

Groups[edit]

Squadrons[edit]

Other[edit]

  • Military Airlift Center, Europe: 23 June 1978 – 15 January 1981
  • Airlift Task Force, Provisional: attached 18–29 May 1958

Aircraft[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Explanatory notes
  1. ^Aircraft is Lockheed C-130E-LM Hercules, serial 63-7887. Transferred to theAerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Centeron 8 January 2007.Baugher, Joe (25 July 2023)."1963 USAF Serial Numbers".Joe Baugher.Retrieved30 August2023.
  2. ^Approved 16 Aug 1956. Description: On a shieldargentbetween the points of a flying dartgules,a sphere of the field['s color], with axis, latitude lines, longitude lines and outlinesable;indexterchiefa crosscoupedof the second [colot mentioned], winged of the first [color mentioned]; in sinisterbasea parachutegules,lines and detail black; two points pointedbendwise,one in dexter base and one in sinister chiefazure.
Citations
  1. ^abcdefghi"Factsheet 322 Airlift Division".Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 October 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 30 October 2012.Retrieved3 March2014.

Bibliography[edit]

Public DomainThis article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom theAir Force Historical Research Agency

External links[edit]

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