442nd Troop Carrier Wing

  June 1949 to March 1951 & June 1952 to October 1982

  United States of America

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TYPE: USAF unit

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS: Fairfax Field, KS (1949-1950), NAS Olathe, KS (1950-1955), Grandview AFB, MO (1955-1982)

FORMER NAME: Nil

OTHER NAMES: 442^nd Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) (1949-1961), 442^nd Troop Carrier Wing (1961-1965), 442^nd Air Transport Wing (Heavy) (1965-1966), 442^nd Military Airlift Wing (1966-1971), 442^nd Tactical Airlift Wing (1971-1982)

The wing was first activated as the 442^nd Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) at Fairfax Field, KS in June 1949. It was equipped with Curtiss C-46 Commandos and Douglas C-47 Skytrains, but also flew trainer aircraft under the supervision of the 2472^nd Air Force Reserve Training Center. In May 1950 the wing and center moved to nearby NAS Olathe, KS. Although the 442^nd was manned at only 25% of normal strength, its combat group was authorized four squadrons rather than the three of active duty units.

The 442^nd was mobilized for the Korean war, as were all reserve combat units, effective on 10 March 1951. Along with other 10^th Air Force units, it was activated in the second wave of reserve units being called up. Its personnel were distributed as fillers to other organizations, with Strategic Air Command getting first pick of these mobilizees. The unit's aircraft were distributed to other organizations as well, and the wing was inactivated two days after its call-up.

The 442^nd was once again activated at Olathe in June 1952, when it absorbed the resources of the 926^th Reserve Training Wing, which was simultaneously inactivated. The reserve mobilization for the Korean war, however, had left the Reserve without aircraft, and the unit did not receive aircraft until July 1952. In 1955, the Air Force reserve presence at Olathe ended when the wing moved to Grandview AFB, MO, which had opened as an Air Defense Command base, with the first active duty units moving there in 1954.

From 1957, the wing started transitioning to the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar and Commandos were withdrawn.

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:

• Curtiss TC-46A-40-CU Commando: 42-107320 (probable)