| Unit Name: | 1502d Air Transport Wing |
| Dates: | 1955–1966 |
| Country: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Type: | Airlift |
| Command Structure: | Military Air Transport Service |
| Garrison: | Hickam AFB, Hawaii |
The 1502d Air Transport Wing is a discontinued United States Air Force unit, last assigned to Western Transport Air Force in January 1966. The 1502d ATW was a heavy cargo transport wing of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), formed at Hickam AFB on 1 July 1955.
The wing was organized in mid-1955 with five C-97 squadrons established; squadrons again redesignated as part of the Wing realignment. In 1955 two squadrons were upgraded to very heavy lift C-124 Globemaster II which gave the wing a worldwide airlift capability. Also beginning in 1955, the wing operated VC-97s for VIP/Special Air Mission flights supporting HQ Far East Air Force (Rear). later HQ Pacific Air Forces, 1957–1966.
The 1502nd Air Transport Wing Rodeo team under the command of Major Joe Lodrige win the 1962 Military Air Transport Service Rodeo at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The C-124 team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, devised a new airdrop system to use in that first active-duty Rodeo, which helped them claim the title of the "best of the best. Several members of the 1502nd including Major Lodrige, went on to very distinguished service flying in the elite 89th Airlift Wing stationed at Andrews Air Force Base flying our nation's most senior civilian and military leaders to locations around the globe.[1]
The wing assumed responsibility for aircraft and personnel of 1503d Air Transport Group at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan in 1964 when 1503d reduced from Wing to Group level. The 1503d was a support organization and had no flying units assigned despite its name. The wing remained flying worldwide transport missions with the Globemasters until 1966 when MATS was inactivated and the wing assets were transferred to the Military Airlift Command 61st Military Airlift Wing.
Organized 1 June 1948
Redesignated as 1500th Air Transport Group, 1 October 1948
Redesignated as 1502d Air Transport Group, 1 July 1955
Discontinued 15 May 1958
Discontinued on 8 January 1966, personnel and equipment assigned to 61st Military Airlift Wing
Groups
1st Air Transport Squadron (later 1263d Air Transport Squadron), 1 June 1948 – 17 June 1949
2d Air Transport Squadron (later 1264th Air Transport Squadron), 1 June 1948 – 1 June 1949
4th Air Transport Squadron (later 1265th Air Transport Squadron), 1 June 1948 – 23 April 1949
47th Air Transport Squadron, Medium, 20 Jul 1952 – 15 May 1958
48th Air Transport Squadron, Heavy, 20 July 1952 – 15 May 1958
49th Air Transport Squadron, Heavy, 20 July 1952 – 1 July 1955
50th Air Transport Squadron, Heavy, 20 July 1952 – 15 May 1958
51st Air Transport Squadron, 20 July 1952 – 1 July 1955
1263d Air Transport Squadron, 30 June 1949 – 20 July 1952
Elements deployed to Tachikawa Airfield, Japan during 1951–1952 flying combat resupply missions during Korean War
1264th Air Transport Squadron, 13 October 1949 – 20 July 1952
1266th Air Transport Squadron, 30 June 1949 – 20 July 1952
1267th Air Transport Squadron, 13 October 1949 – 24 May 1950
1268th Air Transport Squadron, 30 June 1949 – 20 July 1952
1283d Air Transport Squadron, 24 Oct 1951 – 1 Jun 1952
1284th Air Transport Squadron, 24 Oct 1951 – 1 Jun 1952
1503d Support Squadron (Transport), 22 June 1964 – 8 January 1966
At Tachikawa Air Base, Japan
Squadrons
at Kadena AB, Okinawa
at Clark AB, Philippines
at Andersen AFB, Guam
at Cam Rahn Bay, Viet Nam
47th, 48th, 49th, 50th, 51st Air Transport Squadrons, 1955
Note: 50th ATS operated a VC-97 version of Stratofreighter, 1951–1966 for VIP/Special Air Missions.
48th Air Transport Squadron, 195? -1965
50th Air Transport Squadron, 1955–1966
6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1965–1966
1453d Medical (later Aeromedical) Air Evacuation Squadron, 1956–1965