| Unit Name: | 322d Airlift Division |
| Dates: | 1944–1946; 1947–1949; 1954–1968; 1978–1992 |
| Role: | Command of airlift forces |
| Battles: | Southwest Pacific Theater[1] |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 322d Airlift Division emblem |
The 322d Airlift Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Military Airlift Command, assigned to Twenty-First Air Force, being stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where it was inactivated on 1 April 1992.
During World War II, the 322d Troop Carrier Wing primarily carried high priority cargo destined for Air Corps organizations in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA). Besides carrying passengers and cargo, it evacuated wounded personnel and flew courier routes in SWPA.
Active in the reserve from June 1947 to June 1949, it supervised subordinate unit training.
From March 1954, the 322d Air Division was responsible for airlifting personnel, cargo, and mail in Europe. Almost immediately after it commenced operations in Europe, the 322d became involved in a major airlift of French troops (Project Bali Hai) from bases in France to Indochina. Initially concerned only with operations in West Germany and France, it soon began operating throughout the entire United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) area of responsibility. In addition to its routine duties, the division supported numerous humanitarian missions to Turkey, Iran, Morocco, and Pakistan, among other states.
It also provided airlift support in the following crises: the nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956; the Hungarian Revolution of 1956; the 1958 Lebanon crisis; support for UN forces in the Congo in 1960–1961; the invasion of India by Communist Chinese forces in 1962–1963; airlift of peacekeeping forces to Cyprus in 1964; and the Middle East crisis of 1967.
Between 1954 and 1968, the division supported numerous USAFE and NATO exercises.
From June 1978, the 322d managed tactical airlift forces stationed and operating in the European theater and coordinated strategic airlift from the United States and other origins. It also assumed responsibility for all aeromedical operations and administrative airlift in the theater, including highly positioned military and civilian U.S. and foreign government officials. In addition, the division supported military exercises such as Ardent Ground, Dawn Patrol, Flintlock, and Cold Fire/Reforger.
In 1985 the 322d acquired peacetime responsibility for airlift management in Africa.
Activated on 30 December 1944
Inactivated on 15 February 1946
Redesignated 322d Air Division, Troop Carrier on 16 April 1948.
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
Redesignated 322d Air Division on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 24 December 1968
Activated on 23 June 1978
Inactivated on 1 April 1992[1]