166th Airlift Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 166th Airlift Wing


caption= 166th Airlift Wing emblem
dates= 1962-Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force/Air National Guard
type=
role=
size=
command_structure=Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command
current_commander=
garrison= New Castle Airport, Delaware
ceremonial_chief=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=

The United States Air Force's 166th Airlift Wing is an airlift unit located at the New Castle County Airport, Delaware.

History

On April 7, 1962 the Delaware Air National Guard, with the 142nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, enlarged to "group status" as the 166th Air Transport Group and the was reassigned from the Tactical Air Command to the Military Air Transport Service. The Delaware Air National Guard gave up its F-86 Sabrejets for the four engine C-97 Stratocruiser cargo planes.

Dr. Harold Brown, Secretary of the Air Force, announced that effective January 1, 1966, the Military Air Transport Service would be redesignated as the Military Airlift Command. In addition to the name change certain Air National Guard units were also redesignated, including Delaware's. The unit was named the 166th Military Airlift Group.

During the period from 1964-1974 the Delaware Air National Guard flew missions to Vietnam.

On April 9, 1968, the Delaware Air National Guard was called to state duty to quell civil disturbance and violence in the city of Wilmington, Delaware. The unit was released from state duty after several weeks. However, many individuals remained on state duty through 20 January 1969.

On May 12, 1971 the Delaware ANG changed its name from the 166th Military Airlift Group to the 166th Tactical Airlift Group and replaced its C-97s with C-130A Hercules prop-jet cargo plane, and began transition from the Military Airlift Command to the Tactical Airlift Command.

On October 16, 1985, the Delaware Air National Guard began replacing its aging, antiquated C-130A's with the delivery of a brand new factory fresh C-130H. The last new C-130H aircraft arrived in January 1986.

On January 25, 1991 selected units of the Delaware Air National Guard were activated for the Persian Gulf War known as Operation Desert Storm. A majority of the unit was stationed at Al Kharj Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Over 150 personnel deployed to six other locations in Europe and two stateside bases. The 166th Civil Engineer Squadron voluntarily deployed to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware and performed the monumental accomplishment of enlarging Dover's Mortuary capacity - the assignment was completed in a record 23 days. On June 30, 1991 the units/personnel were released from active duty performed in support of the Persian Gulf War.

Another name change occurred on March 16, 1992, with the 166th Tactical Airlift Group being redesignated the 166th Airlift Group.

On October 1, 1995, the 166th Airlift Group was renamed the 166th Airlift Wing. [http://www.denewc.ang.af.mil/HISTORY.HTM History of the Delaware Air National Guard]

Gallery

Assignments

Major Command

* Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command (1992-Present)
* Air National Guard/Tactical Airlift Command (1971-1992)
* Air National Guard/Military Airlift Command (1966-1971)
* Air National Guard/Military Air Transport Service (1962-1966)
* Air National Guard/Air Defense Command (1950-1962)
* Air National Guard (1946-1950)

Previous designations

* 166th Airlift Wing (10-1-1995-Present)
* 166th Airlift Group (3-16-92-9-30-1995)
* 166th Tactical Airlift Group (5-12-1971-3-15-1992)
* 166th Military Airlift Group (1-1-1966-5-11-1971)
* 166th Air Transport Group (4-7-1962-12-31-1965)

quadrons assigned

*142nd Airlift Squadron

Bases stationed

* New Castle County Airport, Delaware (1946-Present)

Aircraft operated

*C-130H Hercules (1986-Present)
*C-130A Hercules (1971-1986)
*C-97 Stratocruiser (1962-1971)
*C-97 Stratocruiser (1962-1971)
*F-86 Sabre (1957-1962)
*T-33 Shooting Star (1954-1957)
*F-51H Mustang (1952-1957)
*F-94 Starfire (1951-1952)
*F-84C Thunderjet (1951)
*C-47 Skytrain (1947-???)
*B-26 Marauder (1947-???)
*L-5 Sentinel (1946-???)
*AT-6 Texan (1946-???)
*F-47N Thunderbolt (1946-1951)

Decorations

* [http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AwardsNet/SearchUnitAwards.aspx?Mode=Graphics Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)]

References