322d Tactical Airlift Wing explained

Unit Name:	322d Tactical Airlift Wing
Dates:	1970–1975
Role:	Airlift
Identification Symbol Label:	Emblem used by the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing^[1]
Identification Symbol 2 Label:	Emblem authorized for the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing^[2] ^[3]

The 322d Tactical Airlift Wing is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force.

History

The unit was activated as the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 January 1970 at Rhein-Main Air Base, West Germany, replacing the 7310th Tactical Airlift Wing.^[2]

The 322d Wing used rotational Lockheed C-130 Hercules squadrons for tactical airlift in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. In addition, the wing used C-118s and C-131s for aeromedical airlift until late 1972, then shifted to C-9As for this work, continuing aeromedical airlift operations through March 1975.^[2]

The wing utilized KC-135 (VIP-equipped) to provide transportation for the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CINCUSAF) until early 1973, followed by KC-135B until early 1974 and by C-135C thereafter. It used VT-29 aircraft to support Air Force North, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization component.^[2]

In March 1973, the wing gained the 7th Special Operations Squadron, equipped with C-47, UH-1H, and C-130E aircraft, which was reassigned from the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Ramstein Air Base when the 26th moved to Zweibrücken Air Base. All but the C-130s were transferred a few months later to conduct unconventional warfare operations in Europe.^[2]

The wing was inactivated in June 1975 when it was replaced by the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing.^[2]

Lineage

Constituted as the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing on 21 November 1969
Activated on 1 January 1970

Inactivated on 30 June 1975^[2]

Assignments

Seventeenth Air Force, 1 January 1970 – 30 June 1975^[2]

Components

Assigned

7th Special Operations Squadron: 15 March 1973 – 30 June 1976
55th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron: 1 January 1970 – 31 March 1975
7406th Support Squadron (later 7406th Operations Squadron: 15 November 1971 – 30 June 1974
7411 Support Flight (later 7411th Operations Flight: 1 February 1972 – 1 February 1975^[2]

Attached C-130 rotation squadrons

32d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 15 February – 15 April 1975
36th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 1 January – 2 February 1970; 10 August – 21 October 1970; 29 September – 29 October 1971; 16 August – 16 October 1974
37th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 4 October – 1 November 1970; 8 February – 10 April 1971; 1 September – 5 October 1972; 16 April – 25 June 1974; 15 April – 15 June 1975
38th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 16 December 1974 – 15 February 1975
39th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 15 December 1973 – 12 February 1974
40th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 1 September – 5 October 1971; 11 April – 5 June 1973
41st Tactical Airlift Squadron, 12 June – 11 August 1972; 11 February – 13 April 1973; 11 August – 12 October 1973
47th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 18 February – 18 March 1970, 16 June – 10 August 1970, 8 December 1971 – 14 February 1972, 11 August – 20 October 1972, and 16 December 1972 – 11 February 1973
48th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 12 April – 11 June 1972 and 20 October – 16 December 1972
50th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 1 June – 15 August 1974
61st Tactical Airlift Squadron, 21 October – 19 December 1970, 5 June – 11 August 1973, 16 October – 16 December 1974, 15–30 June 1975
62d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 10 April – 12 June 1971
347th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 2 February – 13 April 1970, 12 June – 12 August 1971, and 14 February – 17 April 1972
348th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 5 October – 8 December 1971
772d Tactical Airlift Squadron, 12 February – 16 April 1974
774th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 12 October – 15 December 1973
778th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 12 August – 1 September 1971
779th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 13 April – 16 June 1970 and 19 December 1970 – 7 February 1971^[2]

Bases assigned

Rhein-Main Air Base, West Germany 1 January 1970 – 30 June 1975^[2]

Aircraft

C-130 (1970–1975)
VC-131 (1973–1974)
UH-1 (1973)
C-9 (1972–1975)
C-135 (1972–1974)
VC-118 (1971–1972)
C-131 (1970–1975)
VT-29 (1970–1975)
VC-54 (1970)
C-47 Skytrain (1970–1972)
KC-135 (1970–1974)
C-118 (1970–1972)^[2]

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

Citations

Bibliography

Book: Ravenstein, Charles A.. Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. 1984. Office of Air Force History. Washington, DC. 0-912799-12-9. registration.

Notes and References

This emblem was approved for the 322d Air Division. It was not authorized for the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing, but was used by it throughout its existence
Ravensein, pp. 123–124
This emblem was authorized for the 322d Bombardment Group. The group's historical materials, including its emblem were temporarily bestowed on the 322d Tactical Airlift Wing while the wing was active.