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322d Airlift Division
C-130E Hercules of the 435th Wing[a]
Active1944–1946; 1947–1949; 1954–1968; 1978–1992
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleCommand of airlift forces
EngagementsSouthwest Pacific Theater[1]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
322d Airlift Division emblem[b][1]

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.

History

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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.

Lineage

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  • Established as the 322d Troop Carrier Wing on 4 December 1944
Activated on 30 December 1944
Inactivated on 15 February 1946
  • Activated in the reserve on 12 June 1947
Redesignated 322d Air Division, Troop Carrier on 16 April 1948.
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
  • Redesignated 322d Air Division (Combat Cargo) and activated on 1 March 1954
Redesignated 322d Air Division on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 24 December 1968
  • Redesignated 322d Airlift Division on 13 June 1978
Activated on 23 June 1978
Inactivated on 1 April 1992[1]

Assignments

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Stations

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Operational components

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Wings

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Groups

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Squadrons

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Other

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  • Military Airlift Center, Europe: 23 June 1978 – 15 January 1981
  • Airlift Task Force, Provisional: attached 18–29 May 1958

Aircraft

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See also

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References

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Notes

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Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Aircraft is Lockheed C-130E-LM Hercules, serial 63-7887. Transferred to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center on 8 January 2007. Baugher, Joe (25 July 2023). "1963 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ^ Approved 16 Aug 1956. Description: On a shield argent between the points of a flying dart gules, a sphere of the field['s color], with axis, latitude lines, longitude lines and outline sable; in dexter chief a cross couped of the second [colot mentioned], winged of the first [color mentioned]; in sinister base a parachute gules, lines and detail black; two points pointed bendwise, one in dexter base and one in sinister chief azure.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Factsheet 322 Airlift Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.

Bibliography

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

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