435th Troop Carrier Group, Medium

  June 1949 to April 1959

  United States of America

TYPE: USAF unit

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS: Miami, FL

FORMER NAME: 435^th Troop Carrier Group (until inactivated 1945)

SUBSEQUENT NAME: 435^th Tactical Airlift Group (when reactivated 1975)

The 435^th Troop Carrier Group, Medium was redesignated on 26 June 1949 and stems from a WWII group that operated Douglas C-47 & C-53 Skytrains & Skytroopers in the European threater. In Miami, the group trained with Commandos under the supervision of the 2585^th Air Force Reserve Training Center. It was ordered into active service in March 1951 as a result of the Korean War, training Commando crews for service in Korea. Although it remained at Miami, the group deployed twice while on active duty: to Laurinburg-Maxton AFB, NC from 21 July until 1 September 1951 and to Grenier AFB, NH from 2 January to 3 March 1952. It was relieved from active duty and inactivated on 1 December 1952 and its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the newly-activated 456^th Troop Carrier Group.

The group was activated as a reserve unit the same day, but with the personnel and equipment of the inactivating 482^nd Troop Carrier Group. In the reserve, the group once again flew Commandos. By 1956, the unit was flying overseas missions, particularly in the Caribbean area and in Central America. During the first half of 1955, the USAF began detaching reserve squadrons to separate locations. The dispersal of separate squadrons to smaller population centers was intended to facilitate recruiting and manning. One of the first three squadrons to move as this policy was implemented was the Group's 78^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium, which was activated at Orlando AFB, FL in April 1955 after having been inactivated at Miami the previous year. In August 1956, the Group's 77^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium left Miami for Pinellas County, FL. The squadron's stay in the Tampa Bay area was brief, however, for in November 1957 it moved again, this time to NAS New Orleans, LA. Only the 76^th Squadron remained with group headquarters in Miami.

In 1957, the group received Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars, which replaced the aging Commandos. The Group was inactivated on 14 April 1959.

The 435^th Troop Carrier Group, Medium was composed of the following squadrons:

• 76^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium (June 1949 to April 1959)
• 77^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium (June 1949 to April 1959)
• 78^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium (June 1949 to April 1959)
• 326^th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium (June 1949 to September 1949)

1949 to 1957

Only Commandos belonging to an unknown squadron within the wing are listed here. When the squadron is identified, the Commando is listed under that squadron only.