483d Composite Wing
Encyclopedia
The 483d Composite Wing was a tactical airlift and composite wing assigned to Pacific Air Forces during the Vietnam War
. It was the host organization at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base South Vietnam
from 1970–1972.
The units history can be traced back to the World War II
483d Bombardment Group, which was a United States Army Air Forces
combat organization. It served primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theatres
of World War II
.
During the Korean War
, the 483d Troop Carrier Group was an airlift organization assigned to Tactical Air Command
but attached to Far East Air Forces for duty.
in Florida.
Was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
(MTO), being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force
in Southern Italy. Engaged in long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, industrial and transport targets, including oil refineries and production oilfields in Italy; France; Southern Germany; Austria
and the Balkans
.
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 18 July 1944 when, without fighter escort, the group engaged numerous enemy aircraft in the target area and also bombed the objective, an airdrome and installations at Memmingen.
Assisting the strategic bombardment of enemy industry the group received another DUC for braving fighter assaults and antiaircraft fire to bomb tank factories at Berlin on 24 May 1945. Struck targets in southern France in preparation for the invasion in August 1944. Operated in support of ground force in northern Italy during the Allied offensive in April 1945. Continued strategic bombardment until German capitulation in May 1945.
After V-E Day, was assigned to Air Transport Command
Green Project which was the movement of troops from Pisa Airfield staging area in Morocco
. B-17s were dearmed with flooring and seats for 25 passengers installed. Crew consisted of Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Engineer. Carried passengers from Pisa to Port Lyautey Airfield, French Morocco
where ATC transports moved them across the Atlantic or to Dakar
for movement via South Atlantic Transport Route. Inactivated in Italy on 25 September 1945. Flew 215 combat missions; 75 aircraft lost.
but attached to the Far East Air Forces 315th Air Division
for duty in the Korean War
.
Performed troop carrier and air trans-port operations in the Far East, including landing of troops and cargo in for-ward areas of the combat zone, air transportation of airborne troops and equipment, and air evacuation of casualties. In June 1953, as the Korean war neared an armistice, all wing C-119s airlifted the entire 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne) from Japan to Seoul
and Chunch'on, South Korea, to preclude enemy breakthroughs. This was the largest mass movement of personnel in the history of combat cargo to that time.
Between April 1953 and September 1954, the wing aided the French Air Force
in Indochina
by training air-crews, evacuating wounded, and maintaining aircraft. Returned to Ashiya AB, and performed theatre transport duties until inactivated in Japan on 23 June 1960.
The 483d Tactical Airlift Wing was activated on 15 October 1966. With the deactivation of the 12th Tactical Fighter wing. The 483d TAW became the host wing at Cam Ranh Air Base
South Vietnam
on 31 March 1970 assigned to the 834th Air Division.
The 483d TAW was assigned the mission of providing intra-theater airlift in support of United States military civic actions, combat support and civic assistance throughout the Republic of Vietnam. In addition, the wing was transferred ex-United States Army CV-2B "Caribou" light transports. Upon transfer to the USAF, the aircraft was redesignated as C-7A. In addition to the Caribous, the 483d provided support to three rotational C-130B squadrons that were attached to the wing from the 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Clark AB, Philippines.
The C-7s provided the light load-short haul transport to rough landing strips in the northern part of South Vietnam; while the C-130s provided the intra-theater transport within all of South Vietnam and to United States bases in Formosa and the Philippines.
The unique capabilities of the C-7 for short landing and takeoff made Caribou transports absolutely vital to the war effort. On many occasions the C-7A's flew emergency airlift missions to airstrips and combat areas that no other aircraft could reach. Most notable were those in support of special forces camps in the central highlands.
In June 1968 the wing flew a record 2,420 combat troops in three days between Dak Pek, Ben Het and Dak To. In August 1968 pinpoint night airdrops were accomplished at Duc Lap, Ha Thanh and Tonle Cham Special Forces camps. Ammunition and medical supplies were parachuted into 75-foot-square drop zones while the camps were under attack.
In June 1969 during the siege of Ben Het more than 200 tons of ammunition, POL, rations, water and medical supplies were airdropped into a 100 x 200-foot zone with every load on target and 100 per cent recovered.
Again in April 1970, the 483d TAW helped break the siege of Dak Seang. The wing flew 100 air-drop sorties under heavy hostile fire in ten days delivering some 400,000 pounds of vital supplies. When three C-7s were shot down with the loss of all crewmen between 2 and 6 April, the operation switched to low-level night drops in conjunction with AC-119G Shadow
gunships. On 15 May 1970 the 459th TAS ceased operations in preparation for inactivation 1 June as part of the U.S. forces drawdown in Vietnam, and on 31 August 1971 its sister unit at Phut Cat AB, the 537th TAS, inactivated in place, followed shortly thereafter by the 536th TAS at Vung Tau
.
During their five years' flying for the 483d TAW, the C-7A Caribous carried more than 4.7 million passengers, averaging more than one million a year during 1967–1969. At the same time the wing averaged more than 100,000 tons of cargo each year.
On 31 August/1 September 1971, five squadrons from deactivating units were assigned to the 483d TAW, which was rediesginated the 483d Composite Wing. All inactivated at Cam Ranh AB between 1 December 1971 and 15 April 1972.
The three remaining C-7 squadrons inactivated in early 1972 (535th TAS on 24 January, 458th on 1 March, and 457th on 30 April). Most of the C-7 Caribous were transferred to the VNAF. The C-130 squadrons and the mixture of reassigned squadrons from other units which were sent to Cam Rahn were all inactivated or returned to their home bases by the end of May.
The 483d Composite Wing was inactivated on 31 May 1972. For its service in Vietnam, the 483d TAW was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation
and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with combat "V" (Valor) device.
C-7A Caribou Squadrons, all assigned 1 Jan 1967 – 1 Mar 1972
C-130B Squadrons (Attached from the 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Clark AB, Philippines) 1 Jan 1967 – 31 May 1972
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. It was the host organization at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
from 1970–1972.
The units history can be traced back to the 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...
483d Bombardment Group, which was a United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
combat organization. It served primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theatres
Mediterranean Theatre of World War II
The African, Mediterranean and Middle East theatres encompassed the naval, land, and air campaigns fought between the Allied and Axis forces in the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and Africa...
of 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...
.
During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the 483d Troop Carrier Group was an airlift organization assigned to Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical 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...
but attached to Far East Air Forces for duty.
World War II
Constituted as 483d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 September 1943 and activated on 20 September. Trained with B-17's under Third Air ForceThird Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
in Florida.
Was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
(MTO), being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
in Southern Italy. Engaged in long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, industrial and transport targets, including oil refineries and production oilfields in Italy; France; Southern Germany; Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 18 July 1944 when, without fighter escort, the group engaged numerous enemy aircraft in the target area and also bombed the objective, an airdrome and installations at Memmingen.
Assisting the strategic bombardment of enemy industry the group received another DUC for braving fighter assaults and antiaircraft fire to bomb tank factories at Berlin on 24 May 1945. Struck targets in southern France in preparation for the invasion in August 1944. Operated in support of ground force in northern Italy during the Allied offensive in April 1945. Continued strategic bombardment until German capitulation in May 1945.
After V-E Day, was assigned to Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
Green Project which was the movement of troops from Pisa Airfield staging area in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. B-17s were dearmed with flooring and seats for 25 passengers installed. Crew consisted of Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Engineer. Carried passengers from Pisa to Port Lyautey Airfield, French Morocco
French Morocco
French Protectorate of Morocco was a French protectorate in Morocco, established by the Treaty of Fez. French Morocco did not include the north of the country, which was a Spanish protectorate...
where ATC transports moved them across the Atlantic or to Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
for movement via South Atlantic Transport Route. Inactivated in Italy on 25 September 1945. Flew 215 combat missions; 75 aircraft lost.
Korean War
Activated at Ashiya AB, Japan as the 483d Troop Carrier Wing on 1 January 1953 and replaced 403rd Troop Carrier Wing, Medium. Assigned to Tactical Air CommandTactical Air Command
Tactical 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...
but attached to the Far East Air Forces 315th Air Division
315th Air Division
The 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
for duty in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Performed troop carrier and air trans-port operations in the Far East, including landing of troops and cargo in for-ward areas of the combat zone, air transportation of airborne troops and equipment, and air evacuation of casualties. In June 1953, as the Korean war neared an armistice, all wing C-119s airlifted the entire 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne) from Japan to Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
and Chunch'on, South Korea, to preclude enemy breakthroughs. This was the largest mass movement of personnel in the history of combat cargo to that time.
Between April 1953 and September 1954, the wing aided the French Air Force
French Air Force
The French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
in Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
by training air-crews, evacuating wounded, and maintaining aircraft. Returned to Ashiya AB, and performed theatre transport duties until inactivated in Japan on 23 June 1960.
Vietnam War
Cam Ranh Air Base
Cam Ranh Air Base is located on Cam Ranh Bay in the province of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. It was one of several South Vietnamese Air Force air bases built and used by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War...
South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
on 31 March 1970 assigned to the 834th Air Division.
The 483d TAW was assigned the mission of providing intra-theater airlift in support of United States military civic actions, combat support and civic assistance throughout the Republic of Vietnam. In addition, the wing was transferred ex-United States Army CV-2B "Caribou" light transports. Upon transfer to the USAF, the aircraft was redesignated as C-7A. In addition to the Caribous, the 483d provided support to three rotational C-130B squadrons that were attached to the wing from the 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Clark AB, Philippines.
The C-7s provided the light load-short haul transport to rough landing strips in the northern part of South Vietnam; while the C-130s provided the intra-theater transport within all of South Vietnam and to United States bases in Formosa and the Philippines.
The unique capabilities of the C-7 for short landing and takeoff made Caribou transports absolutely vital to the war effort. On many occasions the C-7A's flew emergency airlift missions to airstrips and combat areas that no other aircraft could reach. Most notable were those in support of special forces camps in the central highlands.
In June 1968 the wing flew a record 2,420 combat troops in three days between Dak Pek, Ben Het and Dak To. In August 1968 pinpoint night airdrops were accomplished at Duc Lap, Ha Thanh and Tonle Cham Special Forces camps. Ammunition and medical supplies were parachuted into 75-foot-square drop zones while the camps were under attack.
In June 1969 during the siege of Ben Het more than 200 tons of ammunition, POL, rations, water and medical supplies were airdropped into a 100 x 200-foot zone with every load on target and 100 per cent recovered.
Again in April 1970, the 483d TAW helped break the siege of Dak Seang. The wing flew 100 air-drop sorties under heavy hostile fire in ten days delivering some 400,000 pounds of vital supplies. When three C-7s were shot down with the loss of all crewmen between 2 and 6 April, the operation switched to low-level night drops in conjunction with AC-119G Shadow
Fairchild AC-119
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Hobson, Chris. "Vietnam Air Losses, USAF/USN/USMC, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia, 1961-1973." North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-85780-1156....
gunships. On 15 May 1970 the 459th TAS ceased operations in preparation for inactivation 1 June as part of the U.S. forces drawdown in Vietnam, and on 31 August 1971 its sister unit at Phut Cat AB, the 537th TAS, inactivated in place, followed shortly thereafter by the 536th TAS at Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
.
During their five years' flying for the 483d TAW, the C-7A Caribous carried more than 4.7 million passengers, averaging more than one million a year during 1967–1969. At the same time the wing averaged more than 100,000 tons of cargo each year.
On 31 August/1 September 1971, five squadrons from deactivating units were assigned to the 483d TAW, which was rediesginated the 483d Composite Wing. All inactivated at Cam Ranh AB between 1 December 1971 and 15 April 1972.
The three remaining C-7 squadrons inactivated in early 1972 (535th TAS on 24 January, 458th on 1 March, and 457th on 30 April). Most of the C-7 Caribous were transferred to the VNAF. The C-130 squadrons and the mixture of reassigned squadrons from other units which were sent to Cam Rahn were all inactivated or returned to their home bases by the end of May.
The 483d Composite Wing was inactivated on 31 May 1972. For its service in Vietnam, the 483d TAW was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (US)
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with combat "V" (Valor) device.
Lineage
- Constituted as 483d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 September 1943
- Activated on 20 September 1943
- Inactivated 25 September 1945
- Established as 483d Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, on 15 November 1952
- Activated on 1 January 1953, absorbing assets of inactivated 403d Troop Carrier Wing
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 June 1960
- Redesignated 483d Troop Carrier Wing on 12 October 1966
- Activated on 15 October 1966
- Organized on 1 Jan 1967, absorbing Troop Carrier units assigned to Pacific Air Forces at Cam Ranh Bay AB.
- Redesignated 483d Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 August 1967
- Redesignated 483d Composite Wing, 1 January 1971
- Inactivated on 31 May 1972.
Assignments
- Fourth Air ForceFourth Air ForceThe Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
, 20 September – 7 November 1943 - Third Air ForceThird Air ForceThe Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
, 7 November 1943 – 2 March 1944 - 5th Bombardment Wing, 17 March 1944 – 25 September 1945
- Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
- Attached to: 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo)315th Air DivisionThe 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
, 1 January 1953 – 30 June 1954- 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo)315th Air DivisionThe 315th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated in April 1969.-History:...
, 1 July 1954 – 25 June 1960 - Pacific Air Forces, 12 October 1966
- 834th Air Division, 15 October 1966
- 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo)
- Not operational, 15 Oct-3 Nov 1966
- Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 1 December 1971 – 31 May 1972
- Seventh Air Force
Components
- 314th Troop Carrier Group, 1 Jan 1953 – 15 Nov 1954 (Attached)
- 316th Troop Carrier Group, 15 Nov 1954 – 18 Jun 1957 (Attached)
- Not operational, 15 Mar 1956 – 18 Jun 1957
- 21st Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 1 Jul 1957 – 7 Dec 1958, assigned 8 Dec 1958 – 25 Jun 1960
- 36th Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 15 Mar 1956 – 18 Jun 1957
- 37th Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 15 Mar 1956 – 18 Jun 1957
- 75th Troop Carrier Squadron: attached 15 Mar 1956 – 18 Jun 1957.
- 815th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron 20 Sep 1943 – 25 Sep 1945; 1 Jan 1953-25 Jun 1960
- 816th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron 20 Sep 1943 – 25 Sep 1945; 1 Jan 1953-25 Jun 1960
- 817th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron 20 Sep 1943 – 25 Sep 1945; 1 Jan 1953-25 Jun 1960
- 840th Bombardment Squadron 20 Sep 1943 – 25 Sep 1945
- 6461st Troop Carrier (later Air Transport) Squadron: 1 Jan 1953 – 24 Jun 1955 (Attached)
Vietnam War
- 6483d Tactical Group (Provisional), 15 Mar 1969 – 30 Jun 1970
C-7A Caribou Squadrons, all assigned 1 Jan 1967 – 1 Mar 1972
- 457th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Cam Ranh) (Tail Code: KA; call sign Cuddy)
- 458th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Cam Ranh) (Tail Code: KC; call sign Law)
- 459th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Phu CatPhu Cat Air BasePhu Cat Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield in Vietnam. It is located northwest of Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh Province....
) (Tail Code: KE; call sign Ellis) - 535th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Vung Tau/Cam Ranh) (Tail Code: KH; call sign Tong)
- 536th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Vung Tau/Cam Ranh) (Tail Code: KL; call sign Iris)
- 537th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Phu CatPhu Cat Air BasePhu Cat Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield in Vietnam. It is located northwest of Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh Province....
) (Tail Code: KN; Soul) - Royal Australian Air Force, Transport Flight Vietnam / 35th Tactical Airlift (Vung Tau)
C-130B Squadrons (Attached from the 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Clark AB, Philippines) 1 Jan 1967 – 31 May 1972
- 29th Tactical Airlift Squadron (Tail Code: QB)
- 772d Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Tail Code: QF)
- 773d Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Tail Code: QG)
- 774th Troop Carrier (later Tactical Airlift) Squadron (Tail Code: QW)
- 20th Special Operations Squadron20th Special Operations SquadronThe 20th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. It operates CV-22 Osprey aircraft in support of special operations.-Mission:...
1 Sep 1971 – 31 May 1972 - 90th Special Operations Squadron 1 Sep 1971 – 31 May 1972 (A-37B Tail Code: CG)
- 360th Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 31 Aug 1971 – 31 May 1972 (EC-47N/P/Q Tail Code: AJ)
- 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron361st Tactical Electronic Warfare SquadronThe 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 56th Special Operations Wing, stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. It was inactivated on 30 June 1974...
31 Aug 1971 – 31 May 1972 (EC-47N/P/Q Tail Code: AL) - 362d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron362d Tactical Electronic Warfare SquadronThe 362d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. It was inactivated on 27 June 1972-History:...
31 Aug 1971 – 31 May 1972 (EC-47N/P/Q C-47H Tail Code: AN)
Stations
- Ephrata AABEphrata Municipal AirportEphrata Municipal Airport is a public airport located two miles southeast of the central business district of Ephrata, a city in Grant County, Washington, USA. The airport covers and has two runways.-History:...
, Washington 20 September 1943 - MacDill Field, Florida 7 November 1943 – 2 March 1944
- Tortorella AirfieldTortorella AirfieldTortorella Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, which is located approximately 9 km east-northeast of Foggia; about 130 km northeast of Naples...
, Italy 30 March 1944 - Sterparone AirfieldSterparone AirfieldSterparone Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, which was located approximately 10 km south-southeast of Torre Maggiore on the Foggia plain; 130 km northeast of Naples....
, Italy 22 April 1944 - Pisa Airport, Italy 15 May – 25 September 1945
- Ashiya AB, Japan, 1 January 1953 – 25 June 1960.
- Cam Ranh Bay ABCam Ranh AirportCam Ranh International Airport is located on Cam Ranh Bay in Cam Ranh, a town in the province of Khanh Hoa in Vietnam. It serves the city of Nha Trang, which is from the airport.- History :...
, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 15 October 1966 – 31 May 1972.
Aircraft flown
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 1943–1945
- Fairchild C-119 "Flying Boxcar", 1951–1959
- Douglas C-47 Skytrain, 1953–1959, 1970–1971 (EC-47, 1971–1972)
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules, 1958–1960, 1971–1972
- DeHavilland C-7A Caribou, 1967–1972
- Bell UH-1 Iroquois "Huey", 1971–1972.