Wing History

The 932d Airlift Wing (AW) is an Air Force Reserve Command unit of approximately 1100 reservists located at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Designated "The Gateway Wing" because of its short drive to the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi riverfront in St. Louis, the 932d AW is the only Air Force Reserve Command flying unit in Illinois. Approximately 663 reservists live within a 50 mile radius of the base, coming in to train from both sides of the river.  

Unit Designation: 932d Airlift Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

Mission: The 932d Airlift Wing is assigned as a tenant unit at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Its mission is to "Generate unrivaled, combat-ready Citizen Airmen." This includes providing first-class, worldwide, safe and reliable airlift for distinguished visitors and their staffs. It also means equipping, training and organizing a ready force of citizen airmen to support and maintain all facets of air base operations involving infrastructure and security. In addition, the wing provides worldwide medical services to the warfighter from the front line to continental United States fixed medical treatment facilities.

A Special Note Regarding the 73rd Airlift Squadron History:
The 73rd Airlift Squadron, the single Reserve flying squadron under the 932d, traces its lineage back to World War II, having flown troop carrier missions in the European Theater from Operation Overlord through V-E Day.

Unit History Milestones:
6 June 1944: The 73d Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS) participated in missions on D-Day, and were in operations from 1943-1946 and 1949 in C-47 “Sky Trains.” During the day, the C-47s reinforced missions, bringing weapons, ammunition, rations, and supplies on D-Day, as well as towing CG-4A Gliders

In 1947, the 139th Air Force Base Unit (Reserve Training) begins its history at Scott Air Force Base

In the 1950s, the unit is redesignated the 2469th Air Force Reserve Training Center (AFRTC) and is renowned for its cryptographic section; the 419th Troop Carrier Wing, flying C-46 “Commandos,” is the operational flying unit attached

July 1957: The Troop Carrier mission was to maintain a capability for providing air transportation (air drop and landing operations) for airborne forces and providing medium-range movements of personnel, equipment, and supplies within and between theaters of operation via C-119 “Flying Boxcars”

In the early 1960s, the 419th TCW added a new mission: Nose Cone Recovery (for the Space Capsule Recovery and Trapeze Training) using C-119 “J” models, “Beaver Tails”

11 February 1963: The unit is organized in the Air Force Reserve as the 932d Troop Carrier Group (TCG)

April 1967: The wing received a new mission, to achieve, via training, a capability for movement of troops, cargo, special equipment, military equipment and passengers for the Armed Forces and other government agencies as directed and aeromedical evacuation of patients; this long-range global capability was flown with C-124 “Globemasters”

July 1969: The unit is redesignated the 932d Aeromedical Airlift Group (AAG) (Associate) and took on its mission with C-9A “Nightingales”

November 1972: Operation EGRESS RECAP (Project Homecoming – repatriation of Vietnam POWs) receives support from 73d Aeromedical Airlift Squadron (AAS) for aircrew and medical technicians to transport former POW to their hometowns

May 1975: Albuquerque, New Mexico, Project Teal Ruby – 3 pilots from the 73rd Aeromedical Airlift Squadron participated in a NASA operation, testing the infrared plume of the C-9A. Loose formation missions were flown and flight test diagnostics operated special equipment that gathered readings and data in the infrared system on the C-9A performance at different configurations and speeds

May 1975: 932d AAG awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, for exceptional military service in support of military operations. The 73d Military Airlift Squadron, from 1 April 1967 - 24 July 1969, participated in heavy cargo operations utilizing the C-124 aircraft and flying missions into South Vietnam

25 Oct 1983: Operation URGENT FURY (Grenada) receives support from the 932d AAG for 1 Flight Nurse and 1 medical technician on a C-9 mission

January 1991: Operation DESERT STORM triggers multiple units activated from the 932d; by the end, over 80% of the 932d AAG mobilized

June 1992: The 932d AAG realigns under the 446th Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Washington

September 1994: 73d AS flew a special mission to Haiti in support of Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY; the mission extracted patients and attendants out of Port-au-Prince

October 1994: The 932d AAG became the 932 Airlift Wing and aligns directly under 4th Air Force, McClellan Air Force Base, California. We are designated “The Gateway Wing” because of the short drive from the base to the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi riverfront in St. Louis. The 932d Airlift Wing is the only Air Force Reserve Command flying unit in Illinois

11 September 2001: 12 aircrews and 6 aircraft (C-9s) are activated and sent to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, for response to the 9-11 terrorist attacks

20 January 2003: 932d Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES) picked up 100% of AE missions for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM

19 March 2003: 932d AES and 932 MDS mobilized for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, sending over 70 personnel for support

October 2003: Three C-9 “Nightingales” “retired” from active duty and gained by the 932d; mission redesignated to Distinguished Visitor (DV) airlift

2005: Replaced aging C-9As with three veteran C-9C DV aircraft transferred from Andrews AFB, Maryland

2007: The active duty 54th Airlift Squadron paired with the 932d in a reverse associate relationship, providing pilots and flight attendants for DV missions aboard 932d AW C-40C aircraft

15 December 2009: 932d Explosive Ordnance Disposal member TSgt Anthony C. Campbell, Jr., is killed in action in Afghanistan

2011 – Retire three C-9C DV aircraft from the Air Force Reserve inventory. Upon retirement, one C-9C was transferred to the AMC Museum at Dover AFB, Delaware. The other two C-9s were turned over to the State Department. In November, a fourth C-40c was received from the Boeing Company


Hurricane and disaster relief has been a hallmark of 932d Medical personnel deployments for decades. Aeromedical technicians have supported contingencies including Hurricane Georges, and Rita, and the devastation of Katrina.

932d Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians periodically deploy in support of notable domestic events. Personnel specifically supported a papal visit to St. Louis and NATO's 50th anniversary summit in Washington D.C. among others.

932d reservists deploy in support various small contingencies as needed. Medical personnel deployed to the Middle East, Honduras and other Latin American locations multiple times to perform physicals and minor medical treatment, and have airlifted car crash victims out of Haiti to medical relief. 932d aircrew volunteered to fly to Eglin AFB, Florida to pick up wounded Air Force personnel from the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.

From 2007 to 2011, the 932d continued its unique DV mission with the C-9C and C-40C airframes until the C-9Cs were retired late in 2011. Its pilots, maintainers and flight attendants have escorted members of Congress, senior military officials, foreign dignitaries and the First Lady among others. Some notable events included two missions carrying members of Congress and their guests to Senator Edward Kennedy's funeral in August 2009. 932d aircraft and personnel also deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany in October 2009 in support of United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) DV requirements. Its distinguished visitor mission continues today on its C-40C aircraft alone, and C-17, KC-135 and C-130 aircraft are used by the wing's medical group personnel to transport and treat patients.

24 nurses and medical technicians from the 932d Medical Group deployed to areas around New England to help fight the Coronavirus in May of 2020. They returned back to Scott AFB in smaller groups with everyone returned safely by end of mid June 2020.


Awards and Decorations: The wing has earned seven Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 20 Aug 1969-30 Jun 1971; 1 Jan 1972-31 Mar 1973; 24 Jul 1975-23 Jul 1977; 29 Sep 1980-30 Jun 1982; 1 Jul 1986-31 Jul 1988; 1 Jan 1993-1 Aug 1994; 1 Sep 2005-30 Sep 2006; 1 Oct 2011-30 Sep 2013. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm: 1 Apr 1967-24 Jul 1969.

The wing has won numerous Air Mobility Command Flight Safety Awards for accident-free flying and earned the National Safety Council Award of Honor twice. 

Click this link to view the 932d Airlift Wing history video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp7mvc9AnwQ
 

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(Current as of: February 2022)