349th Air Mobility Wing

349th Air Mobility Wing

349th/60th AMW C-5B Galaxy 87-0040



349th/60th AMW C-17A Globemaster III 06-6164


349th/60th AMW KC-10A Extender 86-0037
Active 1 November 1943 (349 OG)
10 May 1949-Present (349 AMW)
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Wing
Role Air Mobility
Size 3,100
Part of   Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ Travis Air Force Base, California.
Nickname(s) "The Golden Gate Wing"
Tail Code Black/Yellow tail stripe "Travis"
Decorations AFOUA
RVGC w/ Palm
Commanders
Current
commander		 Col. Raymond A. Kozak
Insignia
349th Air Mobility Wing emblem
Aircraft flown
Transport C-5 Galaxy
C-17 Globemaster III
Tanker KC-10 Extender

The 349th Air Mobility Wing (349 AMW) is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Fourth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California. The 349th AMW is an associate unit of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Air Mobility Command (AMC) and if mobilized the wing is gained by AMC.

The 349th Air Mobility Wing is the largest associate wing in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. 349th AMW personnel fly the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender. The missions of the aircrews include airlifting personnel and material worldwide as well as aerial refueling a wide variety of aircraft.

The mission of the 349th AMW is to "...provide combat ready Airmen and expeditionary support to the war fighter." This makes the wing responsible for training almost 3,500 reservists who work side-by-side with their active duty counterparts in the 60th Air Mobility Wing, also stationed at Travis.

Units

The 349th Air Mobility Wing consists of the following major units:

The 349th AMW is also home to the 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron which is responsible for treating patients in flight; the 349th Airlift Control Flight, tasked to enter austere locations and prepare for USAF aircraft arrival; and the 349th Medical Squadron, capable of providing hospital services worldwide, in a contingency environment.

History

for World War II history and lineage, see 349th Operations Group

Activated in the Air Force Reserve as the 349th Troop Carrier Wing on 27 June 1949 at Hamilton Air Force Base, California under the wing-base (Hobson Plan) organization. The 349th Troop Carrier Group was assigned as its operational component, equipped with C-46 Commando transports. The wing was assigned to Fourth Air Force and operationally gained by Tactical Air Command (TAC).

The "Golden Gate Wing" did not serve during the Korean War as a unit - rather its members and equipment were mobilized and used as individual "fillers" to supplement active-duty wings that were not up to combat strength.[1]

Cold War

With the reconstruction of reserve forces on May 26, 1952, the 349th was reorganized as a fighter-bomber wing, equipped with F-51 Mustangs. In 1953 it received its first jet aircraft, the F-80 Shooting Star. The 349th remained as such until 1957, when it was converted to a troop carrier wing and was re-equipped with C-119 Flying Boxcars. On April 1, 1958, the day-to-day administration of the 349th shifted from the active duty Air Force to the Air Reserve Technician program. The 349th converted to the tri-deputate organization on 14 April 1959 when it inactivated the 349th Fighter-Bomber Group and assigned all operational squadrons directly to the Wing.[1]

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the "Golden Gate Wing" and each of its flying squadrons were called to active duty. The 349th, like the other reserve troop carrier wings, was completely equipped and ready to move with only a few hours notice as was the case during the Cuban call-up. Only four hours after the first call to report for duty was made, 95 percent of the wing's flying personnel had checked in and were ready to move. This, more than any other single incident, proved the value of the Air Force Reserve "Ready Now" concept and the wing's motto, "In Omnia Paratus," In all things prepared. During the mobilization, they served for one month to airlift troops and supplies to the buildup of military forces in the south Florida area.[1]

On June 1, 1966, the 349th was re-designated as the 349th Military Airlift Wing, its gaining command was changed from TAC to the Military Airlift Command (MAC) the wing converted to the C-124 Globemaster II intercontinental airlifter. A recall to active duty was again initiated on January 26, 1968, in response to the seizure of the USS Pueblo by North Korea. During the Vietnam War, the wing airlifted many thousands of tons of cargo across the Pacific to support U.S. forces throughout the Southeast Asia and Pacific theaters of operations. Upon the deactivation of Hamilton AFB in 1969, the 349th moved to Travis Air Force Base, and became the second Air Force Reserve Associate Wing, teaming with the MAC 60th Military Airlift Wing.[1]

During the Persian Gulf War, 1990-1991, more than 1,750 people from selected units were activated for service in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Although some units and individuals deployed to the Persian Gulf, others deployed to Europe and other overseas locations, while some remained in the United States and still others remained at Travis AFB.[1]

Post Cold War era

On February 1, 1992, the 349th adopted the USAF objective organization was re-designated the 349th Airlift Wing, deleting the word "military" from its name to conform with the active duty Air Force's reorganization and realignment policies. The group element was reactivated as the 349th Operations Group and the operational squadrons were reassigned from the wing to the 349th OG.

In September 1994, the KC-10 Extender aerial refueling mission was added to the Wing and became an "Air Mobility Wing," the only Air Force Reserve unit at the time to fly three types of aircraft: the C-141 "Starlifter," the C-5 "Galaxy," and the KC-10.[1]

In December 1997, the C-141 was retired from service at Travis. Some were sent to McChord AFB, Washington. and McGuire AFB, New Jersey. The retired "Starlifters" went to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.[1]

Global War on Terrorism

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and New York City's World Trade Center, the 349th provided airlift, mortuary affairs personnel, and other vital support in the early stages of Operations Resolve, Noble Eagle, Infinite Justice and Enduring Freedom.[1]

With the C-17 Globemaster III arrival at Travis in Summer 2006, the wing and its host became the only units in the country to fly three major aircraft. On May 25, 2006, the 301st Airlift Squadron converted from the C-5 to the C-17 and on June 25, 2006, the 945th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was activated to support the Globemaster III.[1]

Lineage

Activated in the Reserve on 27 June 1949
349th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) re-activated in the Reserve and assigned as subordinate unit
Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951
Inactivated on 2 April 1951
Activated in the Reserve on 13 June 1952
Re-designated 349th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium on 1 September 1957
Group element inactivated 14 April 1959
Ordered to active service on 28 October 1962
Relieved from active duty on 28 November 1962
Re-designated 349th Military Airlift Wing on 1 June 1966
Ordered to active service on 26 January 1968
Relieved from active duty on 1 June 1969
Re-designated: 349th Military Airlift Wing (Associate) on 25 July 1969
Group element re-designated 349th Military Airlift Group on 31 July 1985 (Remained inactive)
Re-designated: 349th Airlift Wing (Associate) on 1 February 1992
Group element re-designated 349th Operations Group and re-activated in the Reserve 1 August 1992
Re-designated: '349th Air Mobility Wing (Associate) on 1 July 1994
Re-designated: 349th Air Mobility Wing on 1 October 1994.

Assignments

Components

Groups
Squadrons

Stations

Aircraft

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 349th AW History
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