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{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{more footnotes|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 512th Airlift Wing
| image=436og-c17-globemasterIII.jpg
| image_size = 290
|caption=[[C-17 Globemaster III]] of the [[436th Airlift Wing|436th]] and 512th Airlift Wings
|dates=1949–1951; 1952–1971; 1973–present
|country={{flag|United States|23px}}
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|type=
|role= [[Airlift]]
|size=
|command_structure= [[Air Force Reserve Command]]
|current_commander=
|garrison= [[Dover Air Force Base]]
|nickname= Liberty Wing
|motto=Masters of the Globe (1967)<ref name=Ravenstein512MAW>Ravenstein, pp. 278–279</ref>
|decorations=[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] <br />[[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] with Palm
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:512th Airlift Wing.png|150px]]
|identification_symbol_label=512th Airlift Wing emblem <small>(Approved 21 December 1993)</small><ref name=512AWfacts>{{cite web|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10230|last1=Haulmann|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 512 Airlift Wing (AFRC)|date=2 January 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|url-status=dead|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313182350/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10230|archive-date=13 March 2015}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:512 Military Airlift Wg emblem.png|150px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=512th Military Airlift Wing emblem <small>(Approved 23 July 1973)</small><ref name=Ravenstein512MAW/>
|identification_symbol_3=[[File:512 Troop Carrier Gp emblem.png|150px]]
|identification_symbol_3_label=512th Troop Carrier Wing emblem <small>(Approved 21 January 1957)</small><ref name=Ravenstein512MAW>Ravenstein, pp. 278–279</ref><ref>Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 20–21</ref>
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_trainer = 
| aircraft_transport = [[C-5 Galaxy|C-5M Galaxy]]<BR>[[C-17 Globemaster III]]
}}
The '''512th Airlift Wing''', an associate [[Air Force Reserve Command]] unit is located at [[Dover Air Force Base]], Delaware. The [[wing (military aviation unit)|wing]] helps maintain, repair and fly the same aircraft as its active-duty counterparts. Members of the 512th work side-by-side with members of the [[436th Airlift Wing]] in fulfilling the mission, maintaining and flying the [[Lockheed C-5 Galaxy|Lockheed C-5M Galaxy]] and  [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III]]  working together to form the "Dover Team".

As one of only two [[military reserve force|reserve]] associate units flying the Galaxy, the 512 AW has a unique role in the Air Force. The first C-5 all-reserve aircrew flew out of Dover in November 1973.

==Mission==
Recruit, train, equip and retain a qualified force to augment major commands with people and units to support strategic aircraft during peace and war.

==Units==
The 512th Airlift Wing consists of the following major units:
; [[512th Operations Group]]
*[[709th Airlift Squadron]] – C-5M Super Galaxy
*[[326th Airlift Squadron]] – C-17A Globemaster III
* 512th Maintenance Group
* 512th Mission Support Group
* 512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

==History==
===Activation and mobilization for the Korean War===
The wing was first organized at [[Reading Municipal Airport]] on 2 September 1949 as the '''512th Troop Carrier Wing''', when it absorbed the personnel and equipment of the [[319th Bombardment Wing]], which was inactivated. A few months later, in April 1950, reserve operations at Reading ended when the wing transferred to [[New Castle County Airport]], Delaware.<ref name=512AWfacts/> The wing was manned at 25% of normal strength but was authorized four flying squadrons rather than the three of active duty units.<ref>Cantwell, p. 74</ref>

In March of the following year the wing, along with all reserve combat units, was mobilized for the first time for the [[Korean War]].  Its personnel were assigned to other units as fillers,<ref>Cantwell, p. 97</ref> as were its aircraft,<ref>Cantwell, p. 137</ref> and the wing was inactivated two weeks later.<ref name=512AWfacts/>

===Troop carrier operations===
In June 1952, the 512th Troop Carrier Wing was again activated in the reserve at New Castle County Airport, replacing the 916th Reserve Training Wing and taking over the 916th's personnel. The reserve mobilization for the Korean War, however, had left the Reserve without aircraft, and the unit did not receive aircraft until July 1952.<ref>Cantwell, p. 139</ref> 512th aircrews flew [[Curtiss C-46 Commando]]s throughout the periods of reserve and active status.

In the summer of 1956, the wing participated in Operation Sixteen Ton during its two weeks of active duty training.  Sixteen Ton was performed entirely by reserve troop carrier units and moved [[United States Coast Guard]] equipment From [[Floyd Bennett Naval Air Station]] to [[Isla Grande Airport]] in Puerto Rico and [[San Salvador]] in the Bahamas.  After the success of this operation, the squadron/group/wing began to use inactive duty training periods for Operation Swift Lift, transporting high priority cargo for the air force and Operation Ready Swap, transporting aircraft engines, between [[Air Materiel Command]]'s depots.<ref>Cantwell, pp. 149–150</ref>

Cuts in the budget in 1957 led to a reduction in the number of reserve squadrons from 55 to 45.<ref>Cantwell, pp. 168–169</ref> In November, the wing's [[328th Troop Carrier Squadron]] moved on paper to [[Paine Air Force Base]], Washington, where it assumed the facilities that the [[65th Troop Carrier Squadron]] had vacated there.<ref>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 20, 247–248</ref> The 328th Squadron's stay on the West Coast was brief, for it replaced the [[64th Troop Carrier Squadron]] at [[Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station|Niagara Falls Municipal Airport]] the following March.<ref>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 20, 245</ref> The moves of the 328th Squadron were not only due to budget cuts, they were part of a reserve program called the Detached Squadron Concept.  The Air Force believed that the location of separate squadrons in smaller population centers would facilitate recruiting and manning.  In time, the detached squadron program proved successful in attracting additional participants<ref>Cantwell, p. 156</ref>

Also in 1957, the wing converted to [[Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar]]s. After that transition, the wing transferred to [[Willow Grove Air Reserve Station]], Pennsylvania in July 1958. In April 1959, the 512th Troop Carrier Group inactivated as the wing reorganized under the Dual Deputy system, and the wing's three troop carrier squadrons were reassigned directly to the wing.<ref name=512AWfacts/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10231|last1=Haulman|first1=Daniel L.|title=Factsheet 512 Operations Group (AFRC)|date=2 January 2008|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|url-status=dead|access-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828112239/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10231|archive-date=28 August 2016}}</ref>

===Activation of groups under the wing===
Although the dispersal of flying units was not a problem when the entire wing was called to active service, mobilizing a single flying squadron and elements to support it proved difficult.  This weakness was demonstrated in the partial mobilization of reserve units during the [[Berlin Crisis of 1961]].  To resolve this, at the start of 1962, [[Continental Air Command]] determined to reorganize its reserve wings by establishing [[group (military aviation unit)|groups]] with support elements for each of its troop carrier squadrons.  This reorganization would facilitate mobilization of elements of wings in various combinations when needed. However, as this plan was entering its implementation phase, another partial mobilization, which included the 512th Wing, occurred for the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], with the units being released on 22 November 1962.  The formation of troop carrier groups was delayed until February 1963 for wings that had been mobilized.<ref>Cantwell, pp. 189–191</ref> [[912th Troop Carrier Group|912th]] and [[913th Troop Carrier Group]]s at Willow Grove and the [[914th Troop Carrier Group]] at Niagara Falls were assigned to the wing on 11 February.<ref name=512AWfacts/>

The 512th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium was redesignated the 512th Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy in January 1965. That same month the wing was transferred without personnel or equipment to [[Carswell Air Force Base]], Texas. Aircrews conducted training and airlift operations in [[Douglas C-124 Globemaster II]]s. While stationed at Carswell, two more name changes occurred: 1 December 1965, the Wing was redesignated the 512th Air Transport Wing, Heavy and on 1 January 1966, was redesignated the 512th Military Airlift Wing. On 29 June 1971, the Wing was inactivated for a second time.<ref name=512AWfacts/>

On 29 January 1973 the wing was redesignated the 512th Military Airlift Wing (Associate) and activated in the Reserve on 1 July 1973 at [[Dover Air Force Base]], Delaware flying the [[Lockheed C-5A Galaxy]] aircraft. Upon activation at Dover, the 512th absorbed the personnel of the [[912th Military Airlift Group]] (Associate) stationed at Dover.  The 912th Military Airlift Group (Associate) previously assigned to the 514th Military Airlift Wing, [[McGuire Air Force Base]], New Jersey, for administrative support, but stationed at Willow Grove moved from Willow Grove to Dover in September 1968. Equipped with [[Lockheed C-141 Starlifter]] aircraft, the 912th became the third associate group in the Air Force Reserve to fly the C-141. The wing was redesignated the 512th Airlift Wing on 1 October 1994.<ref name=512AWfacts/>

[[File:Lt. Col. Mildred Pagan-Perez (left) and Staff Sgt. Mark Metzelaar treat Delaware CAP cadet.JPG|thumb|512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, [[simulation|simulate]] first response treatment of a Delaware [[Civil Air Patrol]] cadet during a training exercise 2 November 2014, at [[Dover Air Force Base]].]]
Many missions have been flown by the citizen airman of the 512th Airlift Wing. Over 1,300 members of the 512th were recalled to active duty during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Fliers, Maintenance Specialists, Aerial Porters, Medical Personnel, and Security Police were deployed around the world as well as stateside for more than a year. In 2007, the wing began a new era in airlift when the 326th Airlift Squadron began flying the [[McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III]] aircraft when it received their first C-17 on 31 May 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.512aw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/193881/dover-to-receive-its-first-c-17/|access-date=14 March 2020|title=Dover to receive its first C-17 }}</ref>

On 26 April 2015, the wing and its associated [[436th Airlift Wing]] dispatched the first USAF aircraft, a C-17, carrying cargo and personnel for humanitarian aid following the [[April 2015 Nepal earthquake|earthquake in Nepal]].  The plane carried a [[United States Agency for International Development]] Disaster Assistance Response Team, the [[Fairfax County, Virginia]] Urban Search and Rescue Team and 45 tons of cargo.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/586551/af-sends-aircraft-to-support-disaster-assistance-operations-in-nepal/ |title=AF sends aircraft to support disaster-assistance operations in Nepal|date=26 April 2015|publisher=Air Force News Service|access-date=7 May 2015}}</ref>

==Lineage==
* Established as the '''512th Troop Carrier Wing''', Medium on 4 August 1949
: Activated in the reserve on 2 September 1949
: Ordered to active service on 15 March 1951
: Inactivated on 1 April 1951
: Activated in the reserve on 14 June 1952
: Ordered to active service on 28 October 1962
: Relieved from active duty on 28 November 1962
: Redesignated '''512th Troop Carrier Wing''', Heavy on 8 January 1965
: Redesignated '''512th Air Transport Wing''', Heavy on 1 December 1965
: Redesignated '''512th Military Airlift Wing''' on 1 January 1966
: Inactivated on 29 June 1971
* Redesignated '''512th Military Airlift Wing''' (Associate) on 29 January 1973
: Activated in the Reserve on 1 July 1973
: Redesignated '''512th Airlift Wing''' (Associate) on 1 February 1992
: Redesignated '''512th Airlift Wing''' on 1 October 1994<ref name=512AWfacts/>

===Assignments===
* [[Ninth Air Force]], 2 September 1949
* [[First Air Force]], 1 August 1950 – 1 April 1951
* 1 Air Reserve District, 14 June 1952
* First Air Force, 14 January 1954
* [[Fourteenth Air Force]], 25 March 1958
* Second Air Force Reserve Region, 15 August 1960
* Ninth Air Force, 28 October 1962
* Second Air Force Reserve Region, 28 November 1962
* Fourth Air Force Reserve Region, 8 January 1965
* Central Air Force Reserve Region, 31 December 1969 – 29 June 1971
* Eastern Air Force Reserve Region, 1 July 1973
* Fourteenth Air Force, 8 October 1976
* [[Twenty-Second Air Force]], 1 July 1993 – present<ref name=512AWfacts/>

===Components===
====Groups====
* [[512th Troop Carrier Group]] (later 512 Operations Group): 2 September 1949 – 1 April 1951; 14 June 1952 – 14 April 1959; 1 August 1992 – present
* 912th Troop Carrier Group: 11 February 1963 – 8 January 1965
* 913th Troop Carrier Group: 11 February 1963 – 8 January 1965
* 914th Troop Carrier Group: 11 February 1963 – 1 January 1964
* [[916th Military Airlift Group]]: 8 January 1965 – 21 April 1971 (detached after 1 April 1971)
* [[917th Military Airlift Group]]: 5 February 1965 – 21 April 1971 (detached after 1 April 1971)
* [[937th Military Airlift Group]]: 5 February 1965 – 21 April 1971 (detached after 1 April 1971)<ref name=512AWfacts/>

====Squadrons====
* [[326th Military Airlift Squadron]]: 14 April 1959 – 11 February 1963; 1 July 1973 – 1 August 1992
* [[327th Troop Carrier Squadron]]: 14 April 1959 – 11 February 1963
* 328th Troop Carrier Squadron: 14 April 1959 – 11 February 1963
* [[709th Military Airlift Squadron]]: 1 October 1973 – 1 August 1992<ref name=512AWfacts/>

===Stations===
* Reading Municipal Airport, Pennsylvania, 2 September 1949
* New Castle County Airport, Delaware, 12 April 1950 – 1 April 1951
* New Castle County Airport, Delaware, 14 June 1952
* Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, 20 July 1958
* Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, 8 January 1965 – 29 June 1971
* Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, 1 July 1973 – present<ref name=512AWfacts/>

===Aircraft===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Beechcraft AT-7, AT-11, and Curtiss C-46 Commando, 1949–1951
* Curtiss C-46 Commando, 1952–1957
* Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1957–1965
* Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, 1965–1971
* Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, 1973
* Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, 1973 – present
* McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III, 2007–present
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{-}}

==References==
; Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}

; Citations
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180735/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 December 2016 |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
* {{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977|url=https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave|year=1984|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9|url-access=registration}}

==External links==
* [https://www.512aw.afrc.af.mil/ 512th Airlift Wing's official website]

{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{USAF Air Force Reserve Command}}
{{USAAF 10th Air Force World War II}}

[[Category:Airlift wings of the United States Air Force|0512]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Delaware]]
[[Category:Dover Air Force Base]]