165th Airlift Wing
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Air National Guard
's 165th Airlift Wing (165 AW) is a unit located at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
, Georgia
. The Airlift Wing, which currently flies the C-130H cargo aircraft, came into existence after World War II in 1946. The unit was officially mobilized first for the Korean War and then for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing is part of both the Georgia Air National Guard
and the United States Air Force.
The mission of the 165th Airlift Wing is to provide tactical airlift of personnel, equipment and supplies worldwide.
. It was equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt
aircraft, a powerful fighter that saw extensive service during World War II
. Within two years, the 158th was one of the first units in the Air National Guard
to receive the new jet fighters, the F-80C "Shooting Star". Regarded as one of the top units in the Air National Guard, the 158th Fighter Squadron received the Spaatz Trophy for the Most Outstanding Guard Fighter Squadron in the country in 1949.
In March 1949, the 158th moved to Hunter Field where it was based until called to active duty during the Korean War on 10 October 1950. In November 1950, personnel reported to George Air Force Base
, California, where they transitioned to F-84 Thunderjet
s. In 1951, the unit deployed to Misawa Air Base
, Japan, where its mission was to provide air defense for the northern portion of Japan. While assigned to that country, the squadron flew regularly to Korea to provide air support to allied forces. The 158th Fighter Squadron returned to the US from Japan in 1952 and was released from active duty. The unit returned to Travis Field with F-51 Mustang piston-powered fighters, although it later received F-84D and F-84F Thunderstreak, and F-86L Sabrejet aircraft.
Reorganization came in 1962 when the unit transitioned from fighter operations to an airlift mission. The 158th Fighter Squadron became the 158th Air Transport Squadron, assigned to the 165th Air Group. They performed worldwide airlift missions with new aircraft, the C-97 Stratocruiser. In 1967, the C-124 Globemaster replaced the C-97.
On 8 August 1975, the first of the C-130E aircraft, aptly named "Hercules", came to Savannah, Georgia at the international airport to replace the C-124s. The unit currently flies C-130H Hercules aircraft received directly from the Lockheed Factory during September and October 1981. On 15 April 1992, the unit was re-designated the 165th Airlift Group, and in 1995 was re-designated the 165th Airlift Wing.
The 165th Airlift Wing carrys personnel and equipment around the world. In 2005 the unit deployed aircraft and more than 100 personnel to Karshi-Khanabad
, Uzbekistan for 11 months. During this period the unit airlifted more than 35,660 tons of cargo in support of the Global War on Terror.
Since the beginning of operations in the Persian Gulf, the 165th Airlift Wing has been integrally involved in air operations. Several elements of the wing have been deployed throughout the region, with airmen serving in Uzbekistan
, Turkey
, Kuwait
, Iraq
and Afghanistan
. In 2009, the 165th Airlift Wing deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On 25 January 2010, a small group of airmen deployed from the 165th Airlift Wing to Haiti
in support of the Haitian relief efforts.
During the summer 0f 2011, Air Guard personnel from Savannah’s 165th Airlift Wing assisted the Georgia Forestry Commission in fighting wildfires in southern Georgia.
Georgia Air National Guard
The Georgia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is, along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard...
's 165th Airlift Wing (165 AW) is a unit located at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
"Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport , formerly Savannah International Airport, Travis Field and Chatham Field, is a joint civil-military airport located northwest of Savannah, Georgia just off Interstate 95, between Savannah and the city of Pooler, Georgia...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The Airlift Wing, which currently flies the C-130H cargo aircraft, came into existence after World War II in 1946. The unit was officially mobilized first for the Korean War and then for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The wing is part of both the Georgia Air National Guard
Georgia Air National Guard
The Georgia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is, along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard...
and the United States Air Force.
The mission of the 165th Airlift Wing is to provide tactical airlift of personnel, equipment and supplies worldwide.
History
First known as the 158th Fighter Squadron, the 165th Airlift Wing was established on 12 October 1946 at Travis Field (known as Chatham Field at the time), in Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. It was equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47 Thunderbolt
Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
aircraft, a powerful fighter that saw extensive service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Within two years, the 158th was one of the first units in the Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
to receive the new jet fighters, the F-80C "Shooting Star". Regarded as one of the top units in the Air National Guard, the 158th Fighter Squadron received the Spaatz Trophy for the Most Outstanding Guard Fighter Squadron in the country in 1949.
In March 1949, the 158th moved to Hunter Field where it was based until called to active duty during the Korean War on 10 October 1950. In November 1950, personnel reported to George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located within city limits, 8 miles northwest of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The facility was closed by the Base Realignment and Closure 1992 commission at the end of the Cold...
, California, where they transitioned to F-84 Thunderjet
F-84 Thunderjet
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
s. In 1951, the unit deployed to Misawa Air Base
Misawa Air Base
right|thumb|A US Navy C-2 at Misawa is a United States military facility located northeast of the railway station in Misawa, west of the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Towada, northwest of Hachinohe, and north of Tokyo, in Aomori Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region in the northern part of the...
, Japan, where its mission was to provide air defense for the northern portion of Japan. While assigned to that country, the squadron flew regularly to Korea to provide air support to allied forces. The 158th Fighter Squadron returned to the US from Japan in 1952 and was released from active duty. The unit returned to Travis Field with F-51 Mustang piston-powered fighters, although it later received F-84D and F-84F Thunderstreak, and F-86L Sabrejet aircraft.
Reorganization came in 1962 when the unit transitioned from fighter operations to an airlift mission. The 158th Fighter Squadron became the 158th Air Transport Squadron, assigned to the 165th Air Group. They performed worldwide airlift missions with new aircraft, the C-97 Stratocruiser. In 1967, the C-124 Globemaster replaced the C-97.
On 8 August 1975, the first of the C-130E aircraft, aptly named "Hercules", came to Savannah, Georgia at the international airport to replace the C-124s. The unit currently flies C-130H Hercules aircraft received directly from the Lockheed Factory during September and October 1981. On 15 April 1992, the unit was re-designated the 165th Airlift Group, and in 1995 was re-designated the 165th Airlift Wing.
The 165th Airlift Wing carrys personnel and equipment around the world. In 2005 the unit deployed aircraft and more than 100 personnel to Karshi-Khanabad
Karshi-Khanabad Air Base
Karshi-Khanabad is an air base in southeastern Uzbekistan, just east of Karshi. It is home to the 60th Separate Mixed Aviation Brigade of the Uzbek Air Force. A section of the base serves as a commercial airport, supporting a limited number of passenger flights.From 1954 to 1981, the 735th Fighter...
, Uzbekistan for 11 months. During this period the unit airlifted more than 35,660 tons of cargo in support of the Global War on Terror.
Since the beginning of operations in the Persian Gulf, the 165th Airlift Wing has been integrally involved in air operations. Several elements of the wing have been deployed throughout the region, with airmen serving in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. In 2009, the 165th Airlift Wing deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On 25 January 2010, a small group of airmen deployed from the 165th Airlift Wing to Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
in support of the Haitian relief efforts.
During the summer 0f 2011, Air Guard personnel from Savannah’s 165th Airlift Wing assisted the Georgia Forestry Commission in fighting wildfires in southern Georgia.
Major Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(1992–Present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(1974–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1971–1974) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(1962–1971) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Defense Command (1950–1962) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
(1946–1950)
Previous designations
- 165th Airlift Wing (1995–Present)
- 165th Airlift Group (1992–1995)
- 165th Tactical Airlift Group (1975–1992)
- 165th Air Transport Group (1962–1975)
- 158th Fighter Squadron (1946–1962)
Squadrons assigned
- 158th Airlift Squadron158th Airlift SquadronThe 158th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 165th Airlift Wing.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command...
(1992–Present) - 158th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1975–1992)
- 158th Air Transport Squadron (1962–1975)
- 158th Fighter Squadron (1946–1962)
Bases stationed
- Travis Field/Savannah/Hilton Head International AirportSavannah/Hilton Head International Airport"Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport , formerly Savannah International Airport, Travis Field and Chatham Field, is a joint civil-military airport located northwest of Savannah, Georgia just off Interstate 95, between Savannah and the city of Pooler, Georgia...
, Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
(1952–Present) - Misawa Air BaseMisawa Air Baseright|thumb|A US Navy C-2 at Misawa is a United States military facility located northeast of the railway station in Misawa, west of the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Towada, northwest of Hachinohe, and north of Tokyo, in Aomori Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region in the northern part of the...
, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1951–1952) - George Air Force BaseGeorge Air Force BaseGeorge Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located within city limits, 8 miles northwest of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The facility was closed by the Base Realignment and Closure 1992 commission at the end of the Cold...
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(1950–1951) - Hunter Field, Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
(1949–1950) - Chatham Field, Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
(1946–1949)
Aircraft Operated
- C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1975–Present) - C-124 Globemaster (1967–1975)
- C-97 Stratocruiser (1962–1967)
- F-86L Sabre (???-1962)
- F-84D/F Thunderjet (???-???)
- P-51 MustangP-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
(???-???) - F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
(1950-195?) - F-80C Shooting Star (1948–1950)
- P-47 ThunderboltP-47 ThunderboltRepublic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
(1946–1948)
External links
- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/165aw.htm
- http://www.dod.state.ga.us/airguard/airgrdpages/165newpositions.html
- Georgia Department of Defense Official website
- Georgia National Guard Facebook Page
- The Professional Guardsman Blog
- Official Flickr Page
- Georgia Guard Twitter Page
- Georgia Guard Youtube Channel
- Historical Society of the Georgia National Guard
- Georgia Department of Defense 2010 Annual Report