435th OMS SQUADRON COMMANDERS

??        ??                            1975-1977 ?

??        ??                            1977-1979 ?

Louis Tobin           LTC    1979-1980

Eugene Corbett     LTC    1980-1982

Floyd Johnson        LTC   1982-1983

David Davis           LTC    1984-1986  (July 84-Aug 89?)

Thomas Quance     LTC   1984 / 1988  (84-88?)

Craig Koontz          LTC   1988/1989

Charles Capples     MAJ  1989/ 1992

Louis Brienza         LTC   1992/1994 ??  Last 362 MXS Commander

XX       XX                            XX                 626 MXS Commander

XX       XX                            XX                 726 AMXS Commander

XX       XX                            XX/2005        FINAL 726 AMXS Command

 

435th Deputy Commandander of Maintenance (DCM's)

DCM's -- Year at Rhein Main (I believe this is correct)

Colonel      Ted Clay                  --        DCM    1977-1980 ?  (MX Folks Favorite DCM)

Colonel James Roche    --   DCM  1980-1981 ?

Colonel Gene Hollorah   --  DCM  1981–1982 ?

Colonel Jimmy Schuman ---   DCM  1982-1983 ?

 

Colonel Ernest Peirola ---  DCM -1983? (Then became Vice & Wing Commander)

 

 

RHEIN MAIN HISTORY

Anyone having Rhein Main history information, I would appreciate if you would send me. Looking for information regarding Enroute MX Unit information. (C-141s, C-5s and C-17 Unit Support)

 ****************

Rhein-Main Air Base

In 1909, Count von Zeppelin used the area as a landing site for his lighter than air dirigible Z-II. Germany had planned the site for use as one of the most important European air terminals on the continent. In 1936, the base opened for commercial use. The northern part of the base saw use with airplanes and the extreme southern part near Zeppelinheim served as a base for rigid airships. The southern portion of Rhein-Main became the port for the Graf Zeppelin, its sister ship LZ-130, and until May 6, 1937, the ill-fated Hindenburg. The airships were dismantled and their huge hangars demolished on May 6, 1940, when the base was converted for military use. Luftwaffe engineers extended the single runway and erected hangars and other facilities for German military aircraft. During World War II, the Luftwaffe used the field sporadically as a fighter base and as an experimental station for jet aircraft. Allied forces bombed the base heavily in the latter part of 1944 and the beginning of 1945.

435th Military Airlift Support Wing (MASW)      1 July 1969

630th  MASS                                      1 July 1970

435th MASW Redesignated to 435^th TAW             1 July 1975
BRIG General Theodore P Crichton                July 1975 - June 1978

435th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW)               1 April 1975

435^th TAW Redesignated to 435^th Air Wing (AW)    1 April 1992

435^th Air Wing (AW)                              1 April 1992

362^nd Maintenance Squadron (MXS)                 1 April 1992 – 1 November 1993

626^th Air Mobility Support Squadron (AMSS)       1 November 1993 – 1 April 1995

435^th Air Wing (AW) was Inactivated              1 April 1995

469^th Air Base Group (ABG) Activated             1 April 1995

726^th AMS Activated                              1 April 1995

817 EAS, C-17 Expeditionary Airlift Squadron                 2002 ??

469  ABG inactivated on                         10 October 2005

726^th AMSS transferred to Spangdalhem AB         30 December 2005

Rhein Main Air Base Operations officially ends  30 Sept 2005

Rhein Main AB is given to German Govt.          30 December 2005

Rhein Main AB Officially Closed                 31 December 2005

 

RMAB Enroute MX Sections (C-141 / C-5 aircraft)

xxxxxx Enroute MX Operations                   1 July 1969  - 1 July 1975

435th OMS Enroute MX Section                   1 July 1975  – 1 April 1992

362nd Maintenance Squadron (362nd MXS)         1 April 1992 – 1 November 1993

626th Air Mobility Support Squadron (AMSS)     1 November 1993 – 1 April 1995

726th Air Mobility Squadron (AMS)              1 April 1995 – 30 Dec 2005

 

 

 

The 435th Organizational Maintenance Squadron was constituted on
25 June 1975 and activated on 1 July 1975 at Rhein-Main Air Base,
Germany, with assignment to the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing. 

 

On 15 Dec 1978, the unit was reassigned to the 435th Tactical Airlift Group, but on 1 June 1980 it was reassigned to the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing.

The 435th Organizational Maintenance Squadron was redesignated as the 435th Aircraft Generation Squadron on 1 August 1990 and inactivated on 1 April 1992. 

 

On 14 March 2003, the unit was redesignated again as the
435th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, converted to
provisional status, and assigned to the United States Air Forces in
Europe for possible activation. 

 

On 10 December 2003, the unit was withdrawn from provisional status and from assignment to the United States Air Forces in Europe, and redesignated as the 435th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.  It remains inactive.  

DANIEL L. HAULMAN, PhD
Chief, Organzation History Division
Air Force Historical Research Agency 

 

Rhein Main AB History From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

On 1 April 1992 the 435th TAW was realigned from Military Airlift Command (MAC) to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and redesignated as the 435th Airlift Wing (435 AW). The 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron (37 TAS) was concurrently redesignated as the 37th Airlift Squadron (37 AS) on the same date. At its peak, Rhein-Main AB had a population of 10,000. However by 1993, USAF officials announced the intent to downsize the base by half.

On 1 April 1995, the 435 AW was inactivated with Col Donald A. Philpitt, USAF as its last commander. The 435 AW was replaced by the 469th Air Base Group (469 ABG) under USAFE and the 726th Air Mobility Squadron (726 AMS) under AMC. The 469 ABG inactivated on 10 October 2005, with the 726th Air Mobility Squadron being the last USAF unit at Rhein-Main Air Base.

From September 2001 until 2005, Rhein-Main continued to provide support for transient C-130, C-141, C-17, C-5, KC-135, KC-10 and AMC-chartered civilian airliners supporting both US military activities throughout Europe, as well as a waypoint for air mobility operations throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

On 30 December 2005, the 726 AMS transferred to Spangdahlem Air Base and the base was turned over to the German Government.

 Flamingo wing celebrates 60 years of 'swift and sure' service

435^th TAW  Rhein Main Air Base, Germany

by Senior Airman Dani Pacheco
Ramstein Public Affairs

6/24/2009 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 435th Air Base Wing celebrates 60 years of service in the Air Force June 26.

The wing, holding many names since its time of origin, can trace its lineage back to Florida in 1949 when it was stationed at Miami International Airport as part of the Air Force Reserve.

"[Miami] is where we get our mascot, the flamingo," said Jory Vanderburg, 435th ABW historian. "The flamingo is a long range bird and the 435th has a standing history of performing long-range missions."

Although, the wing was initially linked to the Air Force Reserve, it has been called into active duty on several occasions in service of its country.

In fact, the units that provided airpower 65 years ago for the D-Day invasion at Normandy have a direct lineage to both of the wings at Ramstein. The 435th Troop Carrier Group and 37th Troop Carrier Squadron were responsible for the C-47 Skytrains who dropped thousands of U.S. paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions in Normandy.

"We have a tremendous history in this wing that we are all honored to be a part of," said Col. Thomas Gould, 435th ABW commander. "When you look back through the history and heritage of the Air Force, the 435th was there and played a huge role in the success of our service and our nation. We look forward to carrying on this proud tradition here at Ramstein, the Gateway to Europe."

Then called the 435th Troop Carrier Wing, the wing was activated in March of 1951, training C-46 commando aircrews for assignment to the Far East for Korean War duty. In July 1960, the wing started flying C-119 Flying Boxcars, then C-124 Globemaster IIs when it was relocated to Homestead Air Force Base, Fl., before being deactivated in December 1965.

The 435th was called up to active duty once again in December 1968 at High Wycombe Air Station, England, under Military Airlift Command. Re-designated as the 435th Military Airlift Support Wing, the wing provided deployed airlift control elements and aircraft maintenance at aerial ports in portions of Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia and Africa. Within a year, the 435th moved to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany.

In July 1975, the wing was again re-designated as the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing, gaining a fleet of C-130 Hercules and C-9 Nightingales to conduct airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. They acquired the C-141 Starlifter in their final year at Rhein-Main AB.

"As Rhein-Main AB's host, the 435th TAW ran the busiest U.S. air terminal in Europe and participated in all manner of theater airlift, including relief for natural disasters, evacuation of civilians from hostile situations and aeromedical evacuation from combat areas," Mr. Vanderburg said.

In April 1992, the 435th TAW was realigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and was re-designated as the 435th Airlift Wing.

From July 1992 through September 1994, the wing controlled the massive airlift effort during Operation Provide Promise. They provided air-land and airdrop humanitarian airlift to war-torn areas of the former Yugoslavia. In February 1994, the wing began returning portions of Rhein-Main AB to German control.

Effective Oct. 1, 1994, the airlift units of the 435th AW moved to Ramstein Air Base and were transferred to the 86th Airlift Wing. The 435th AW was inactivated in April 1995.

However, less than 10 years later the 435th was once again called into active duty at Ramstein. Re-designated as the 435th Air Base Wing, it took on the management of Ramstein; Einsiedlerhof Air Field Military Compound; Sembach Administrative Annex, y;  Kapaun Air Station; sections of Vogelweh Military Complex; and a host of geographically separated units in 10 countries, serving over 57,000 American military personnel, civilians, dependents and local nationals.

"Since the origination of the 435th, there has been a radical change in focus," the historian said. "We went from a true aircraft operational wing and we've evolved into the largest and busiest air base wing in the Air Force."   http://www.ramstein.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123155655

 435th Air Base Wing History

Ramstein Air Base, Germany 
The 435^th Air Base Wing’s legacy as the Flamingo Wing began on July 15, 1947, when the 435^th Troop Carrier Group was activated in the Army Air Force Reserves at Morrison Army Airfield, Florida.  On June 26, 1949, it moved to the Miami International Airport and became part of the newly activated 435^th Troop Carrier Wing, which was a part of the Air Force Reserves and the predecessor to the 435^th Air Base Wing.  In 1952, the Group’s pre-1949 honors were bestowed onto the 435^th Troop Carrier Wing. 

Our bestowed honors come from World War II when the 435^th TCG participated in the greatest aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations including Operation Overlord, the D-Day Normandy Invasion; Operation Dragoon, the liberation of southern France; and Operation Market Garden which was made famous in the movies A Bridge Too Far and Band of Brothers. 

The group’s most famous contribution was its Battle of the Bulge efforts when the 435^th TCG airdropped and glider-landed supplies and personnel to the beleaguered 101st Airborne Division trapped at Bastogne, Belgium.  The 450,000 lbs. of supplies and medical personnel occurred the day after Brig Gen Anthony McAuliffe gave the infamous “Nuts” reply to the German demand for surrender.  At the time, the 101st Airborne was without its Medical Corp which was captured entirely on the first day of the siege and the soldiers were down to ten rounds of ammo per soldier. 

Once World War II was over, the 435^th TCG was inactivated on Nov. 15, 1945, and remained dormant until the Group’s June 1947 re-activation in Florida. 

The Air Force then activated the 435^th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium as an AFRES wing on June 26, 1949, at Miami International Airport. From March 1951 to December 1952 it was an active-duty wing, training C-46 Commando aircrews for assignment to the Far East for Korean War duty.  Inactivating on Dec. 1, 1952, the wing returned to the AFRES.  The wing was flying overseas airlift missions, particularly from the Caribbean area to Central America.  On Jul. 11, 1960, the 435^th TCW(M), now well known as the Flamingo Wing, relocated to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.  The Wing started flying C-119 Boxcars, then C-124 Globemaster IIs, then reverted back to C-119s.  Inactivation occurred on Dec. 1, 1965 from Homestead AFB, Florida. 

The wing returned to active duty on Dec. 24, 1968, and was redesignated as the 435^th Military Airlift Support Wing, and activated at High Wycombe Air Station, England under Military Airlift Command.  The 435^th MASW provided deployed airlift control elements and aircraft maintenance at aerial ports in portions of Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa.  On Jul. 1, 1969 the 435^th MASW moved to Rhein-Main AB, Germany. 

A big change occurred on Jul. 1, 1975, when the wing assumed Rhein-Main’s host responsibilities.  Redesignated as the 435^th Tactical Airlift Wing, it gained a fleet of C-130 Hercules and C-9 Nightingales to conduct airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.  They acquired the C-141 Starlifter in the final year at Rhein-Main AB.  As Rhein-Main’s host, the 435^th TAW ran the busiest U.S. air terminal in Europe and participated in all manner of theater airlift, including relief for natural disasters, evacuation of civilians from hostile situations, and aeromedical evacuation from combat areas.  In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, the Wing also implemented Distinguished Visitor flight operations, utilizing the VC-135 Stratolifter, VC-140 JetStar, CT-39 Sabreliner, and C-12 Huron.  A decade later, wing personnel deployed to Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, from August 1990 to late March 1991, to provide airlift during the Persian Gulf War I. 

On Apr. 1, 1992, the 435^th TAW was realigned from MAC to USAFE and redesignated the 435^th Airlift Wing. From July 1992 through September 1994, the wing controlled the massive airlift effort during Operation Provide Promise to provide air-land and airdrop humanitarian airlift to war-torn areas of the former Yugoslavia.  In February 1994, the wing began returning portions of Rhein-Main to German control.  Effective Oct. 1, 1994, the airlift units of the 435^th AW moved to Ramstein Air Base and were transferred to the redesignated 86^th Airlift Wing.  Drawdown continued through the 435^th AW’s Apr. 1, 1995 inactivation. 

On Jan. 15, 2004, the wing was redesignated as the 435^th Air Base Wing and activated to take over Ramstein and Kaiserslautern Military Community responsibilities.  The 435^th ABW took on the daunting management of Ramstein, Einsiedlerhof Air Field Military Compound, Sembach Administrative Annex, Kapaun Air Station, and sections of the Vogelweh Military Complex and serviced more than 52,000 American military personnel, civilians, and dependants.  In April 2005, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe created the 38^th Combat Support Wing and transferred some 435^th ABW and 86^th AW units to the 38^th CSW.  By early 2007, HQ USAFE revisited the 38^th CSW’s creation and decided to inactivate the 38^th CSW, returning the units back to the 435^th ABW, 86^th AW, and other wings in USAFE’s Area of Responsibility.  By September 2007, the 38^th CSW was no more. 

The 435^th ABW now consists of five Groups and 20 Squadrons with the 435^th ABW commander was designated as the installation commander for all Air Force assets in the KMC.  The 2008 calendar year did not endure further mission or organization changes and the 435^th ABW settled down to focus on its duties as the finest unit in the KMC. (Current as of March 2009)http://search.dma.mil/search?q=cache:mTlPjvCYtAsJ:www.ramstein.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090310-019.doc+435th+taw&access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&ie=UTF-8&client=AFPW_AFHRA&site=AFPW_Global&site=AFPW_Global&proxystylesheet=AFPW_AFHRA&oe=UTF-8

 http://www.gg-online.de/html/rhein_main_air_base.htm

Rhein Main Terrorist (Bomb) Attack, 9 August, 1985

 WIKIPEDIA INFORMATION

 In Memorial to (Army) SPC Edward F. Pimental

      Edward F. Pimental, US Army , 20 y/o, was born in New York City and died near Wiesbaden, Germany. He was murdered by members of the Red Army Faction in the night of August 8, 1985 only to get his US military ID. His stolen ID card made it possible to place a car bomb the next day on the Rhein-Main Air Base .

      Pimental was with other GI's in the "Western Saloon" in Wiesbaden, where he was invited home by Birgit Hogefeld   who promised him a sexual adventure. He followed her and was killed the same night in a forest with a shot in the back. Later, Hogefeld was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Higher Regional Court   of Frankfurt .

      The bomb attack on the Rhein-Main Air Base caused two dead and eleven wounded. A male member of the Red Army Faction with Pimental’s ID placed a VW Passat   with 240 kilograms of explosives at the site of the base. The murder of Edward Pimental caused heated discussions in leftist circles in Germany because with him it was the first time a "small" person was killed deliberately, without major political or economic status.

 Contributed by: RAFigueroa

OUTSTANDING RHEIN MAIN AIR BASE WEBSITES

 435th APS

http://www.435aps.com     (You can become a member of this website)

435th SPS

http://www.435thsps.com

7406 Support Squadron

http://www.7406supportsquadron.com/main.asp

 

AWESOME GERMAN WEBSITE ABOUT RHEIN MAIN AIR BASE

http://www.gg-online.de/html/rhein_main_air_base.htm

 

Related Rhein Main AB Websites

http://www.ng.mil/resources/galleries/heritage/creek_party.html

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/rhein-main.htm

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?article=32162

http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0802/rhein.html

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123011993

http://members.chello.nl/r.kleingeerts/435taw.htm

http://travel.webshots.com/album/422457849fGwAQS?start=0

http://members.tripod.com/~Michael_Coleman/page9.html

http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=Login

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvNwiczJ69k&NR=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JueLQQdg_M&NR=1

These videos will make a C-141 maintainer cry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXAdQ4F0HDI&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNo-rkoBPpQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5HQuES1CZI&NR=1

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE WEBSITES

http://www.afcrossroads.com/

Air Force History (awesome info)

http://www.airforcehistory.hq.af.mil/

  C-141 HEAVEN

 http://www.c141heaven.com/

 Anyone who enjoyed working on the  C141 aircraft, this website is a must.

 You can spend literally days on this superb website.

Mr. Mike Novack, you are PERSONALLY invited to attend our reunions.

Sure would be fantastic if could attend and talk about your SUPERB website, which is the best C-141 website I have ever seen.

C-141 Starlifter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-141_Starlifter 

 http://usafgermany.com/links/bushlinks.html

The OOPPS List  (Recommended by Neil Bonner)

http:www.micom.net/oops

 Dedicated to ALL Enrouters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LSarhZpnMs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etagged%2Ecom%2Fprofile%2Ehtml%3Fuid%3D5400967370&feature=player_embedded

Unofficial USAF Locator Services

http://www.usaf-locator.com/

 

A Little of Everything on this site

VET FRIENDS

http://www.vetfriends.com/?source=googlereinstate&keyword=veteran_dot&gclid=COeni72Yj50CFdZM5QodWHfD7Q

 

http://www.vetfriends.com/organizations/directory.cfm?type=8

 

Classmates

www.classmates.com

 

 ADDITIONAL RHEIN MAIN HISTORY

435th Military Airlift Support Wing (MASW)       1 July 1969

435th Military Airlift Support Wing  Redesignated to 435^th TAW 1 July 1975

435th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW)                1 April 1975

435^th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW) Redesignated to 435^th Air Wing (AW) 1 April 1992

435^th Air Wing (AW)                              1 April 1992

362^nd Maintenance Squadron (MXS)                 1 April 1992 – 1 November 1993

626^th Air Mobility Support Squadron (AMSS)       1 November 1993 – 1 April 1995

435^th Air Wing (AW) was Inactivated              1 April 1995

469^th Air Base Group (ABG) Activated             1 April 1995

726^th AMS A Activated                            1 April 1995

469  ABG inactivated on                         10 October 2005

726^th AMSS transferred to SpangdalhemAB         30 December 2005

 

Rhein Main Air Base Operations officially ends  30 Sept 2005

Rhein Main AB is given to German Govt.          30 December 2005

Rhein Main AB Officially Closed                 31 December 2005

 

RMAB Enroute MX Sections (C-141 / C-5 aircraft)

xxxxxx Enroute MX Operations                   1 July 1969 - 1 July 1975

435th OMS Enroute MX Section                   1 July 1975 – 1 April 1992

362nd Maintenance Squadron (362nd MXS)         1 April 1992 – 1 November 1993

626th Air Mobility Support Squadron (AMSS)     1 November 1993 – 1 April 1995

726th Air Mobility Squadron (AMS)              1 April 1995 – 30 Dec 2005

 

United States Air Force , assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is stationed at Ramstein Air Base , Germany .

The current commander is Colonel Thomas F. Gould, USAF.http://www.ramstein.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=12410

 

 

 

 

Overview

The 435 AGOW is the first USAFE wing solely dedicated to supporting battlefield Airmen. It consolidates the tactical air control party and battlefield weather specialties of the 4th ASOG, the contingency communications support of the ACOMG, and the expeditionary support to assess, prepare and operate airfields for air expeditionary forces of the CRG. Both of the groups from the 86th AW will now perform their mission under the 435th AGOW.
 

Units

The 435 AGOW comprises 3 groups. Each groups supports a specific portion of the wing's multifaceted mission.

• The 4th Air Support Operations Group
• The 435th Contingency Response Group

The group is tasked with establishing airfield and aerial port operations and providing force protection at contingency airfields. The unit was activated as the 86th Contingency Response Group at Hangar 3 at Ramstein Air Base on February 26, 1999, and was the first unit of its kind in the Air Force. The CRG incorporates more than 30 different jobs into one organization. It is a rapid-deployment unit designed at the initiative of Air Force leadership to be a "first-in" force to secure an airfield and establish and maintain airfield operations. The CRG consists of two subordinate squadrons:

The CRG's Air Mobility Squadron provides airfield command and control, loads and unloads aircraft and essentially sets up an aerial port where none existed.

The CRG's Security Forces Squadron provides force protection in the opening stages of a deployment and also provides protection for any follow-on forces. The Security Forces Squadron is capable of overland airlift, air assault, or airborne insertion into crisis situations.

The 435th Air and Space Communications Group

History

For additional history and lineage, see 435th Operations Group

435th Operations Group

 

The 435th Operations Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 435th Airlift Wing, stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 1 April 1995....

Note: As the 435th Operations Group is currently inactive, The wing is authorized to display the honors earned by the Group prior to 26 Jun 1949

Lineage

• Established as 435 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium on 10 May 1949

Activated in the Reserve on 26 Jun 1949

Ordered to Active Service on 1 Mar 1951

Inactivated on 1 Dec 1952

• Activated in the Reserve on 1 Dec 1952

Redesignated as 435 Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy on 18 Sep 1961

Ordered to Active Service on 1 Oct 1961

Relieved from Active Duty on 27 Aug 1962

Redesignated as 435 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium on 1 Jul 1963

Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Dec 1965

• Redesignated as 435 Military Airlift Support Wing on 25 Nov 1968

Activated on 24 Dec 1968

Redesignated as: 435 Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 Jul 1975

Redesignated as: 435 Airlift Wing on 1 Apr 1992

Inactivated on 1 Apr 1995

• Redesignated as 435 Air Expeditionary Wing, and converted to provisional status, on 5 Feb 2001

Returned to permanent status on 10 Dec 2003

• Redesignated as 435 Air Base Wing on 15 Dec 2003

Activated on 15 Jan 2004

Redesignated as 435 Air Ground Operations Wing on 16 Jul 2009.

Assignments

 

• Fourteenth Air Force
  Fourteenth Air Force
   
   

  The Fourteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force of Air Force Space Command . It is a functional echelon dedicated to space systems operations, responsible for missile warning, space surveillance, and range operations for the Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial space launches. Fourteenth...
  
  , 26 Jul 1949
• Tactical Air Command
  Tactical Air Command
   
   

  Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on March 21, 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
  
  , 2 Mar 1951
• Eighteenth Air Force
  Eighteenth Air Force
   
   

  Eighteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force component of the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It was activated on October 1, 2003 and headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois...
  
  , 1 Jun 1951-1 Dec 1952
• Fourteenth Air Force
  Fourteenth Air Force
   
   

  The Fourteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force of Air Force Space Command . It is a functional echelon dedicated to space systems operations, responsible for missile warning, space surveillance, and range operations for the Department of Defense, NASA, and commercial space launches. Fourteenth...
  
  , 1 Dec 1952
• Third Air Force Reserve Region, 15 Jul 1960
• Ninth Air Force
  Ninth Air Force
   
   

  Ninth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina...
  
  , 1 Oct 1961
• Third Air Force Reserve Region, 27 Aug 1962-1 Dec 1965
• Twenty-First Air Force
  Twenty-First Air Force
   
   

  The 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. It is headquartered at McGuire AFB, New Jersey...
  
  , 24 Dec 1968

 

• 322d Airlift Division
  322d Airlift Division
   
   

  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...
  
  , 23 Jun 1978
• United States Air Forces in Europe
  United States Air Forces in Europe
   
   

  The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
  
  , 1 Apr 1992
• Seventeenth Air Force
  Seventeenth Air Force
   
   

  Seventeenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force. The command served the United States Air Forces in Europe during its years of active service...
  
  , 1 Feb 1993-1 Apr 1995
• United States Air Forces in Europe
  United States Air Forces in Europe
   
   

  The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
  
   to activate or inactivate any time after 5 Feb 2001.
• Third Air Force
  Third Air Force
   
   

  Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany...
  
  , 15 Jan 2004
• United States Air Forces in Europe
  United States Air Forces in Europe
   
   

  The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
  
  , 1 Nov 2005
• Air Command Europe, 18 Nov 2005
• Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe)
  Third Air Force
   
   

  Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany...
  
  , 1 Dec 2006-Present

 

Components

Groups

• 435 Troop Carrier (later, 435 Tactical Airlift; 435 Operations) Group
  435th Operations Group
   
  The 435th Operations Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 435th Airlift Wing, stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 1 April 1995....
  
  : 26 Jun 1949-1 Dec 1952; 1 Dec 1952-14 Apr 1959; 1 Jul 1975-23 Jun 1978; 15 Sep 1978-1 Jun 1980; 1 Apr 1992-1 Apr 1995
• 908 Troop Carrier: 18 Mar 1963-1 Dec 1965
• 915 Troop Carrier: 17 Jan 1963-1 Dec 1965
• 916 Troop Carrier: 17 Jan-18 Mar 1963
• 917 Troop Carrier: 17 Jan-1 Jul 1963

Squadrons

• 37 Tactical Airlift (later, 37 Airlift): 1 Oct 1977-15 Dec 1978; 1 Jun 1980-1 Apr 1992
• 55 Aeromedical Airlift: 31 Mar 1975-15 Dec 1978; 1 Jun 1980-1 Apr 1992
• 58 Military Airlift: 1 Sep 1977-23 Jun 1978
• 76 Troop Carrier: 14 Apr 1959-1 Oct 1961; 27 Aug 1962-17 Jan 1963
• 77 Troop Carrier: 14 Apr 1959-17 Jan 1963
• 78 Troop Carrier: 8 May 1959-17 Jan 1963

 

Stations

• Miami International Airport
  Miami International Airport
   
   

  Miami International Airport , also known as Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the Miami Metropolitan Area. The airport is located eight miles northwest of the central business district of Miami, in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States...
  
  , Florida
  Florida
   
   

  Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
  
  , 26 Jun 1949-1 Dec 1952; 1 Dec 1952
• Homestead AFB, Florida
  Florida
   
   

  Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
  
  , 25 Jul 1960-1 Dec 1965
• RAF High Wycombe
  RAF High Wycombe
   
   

  RAF High Wycombe is a Royal Air Force station, situated in the village of Walters Ash, near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England. Its purpose is to serve the needs of the RAF Air Command, situated on the site. It is also the headquarters of the European Air Group...
  
  , England
  England
   
   

  England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
  
  , 24 Dec 1968
• Rhein-Main AB, West Germany (later Germany}
  Germany
   
   

  Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
  
  , 1 Jul 1969-1 Apr 1995
• Ramstein AB, Germany
  Germany
   
   

  Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Austria and Switzerland; and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium,...
  
  , 15 Jan 2004-Present

 

Aircraft

 

• C-46, 1949-1951; 1952-1957
• C-119, 1951-1952; 1957-1965
• C-124, 1961-1963
• C-130, 1975-1994
• C-9, 1975-1993

 

• VC-135, 1977-1978
• VC-140, 1977-1978
• C-12, 1978
• CT-39, 1978
• C-141, 1994

 

Cold War

The 435th Troop Carrier Wing (435th TCW) was established and activated as a wing in the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) at Miami International Airport  on May 10, 1949. Trained in the Air Force Reserve as a troop carrier wing from Jul 1949 to Feb 1951, and again from Dec 1952-Dec 1958.

The 435th was called to active duty with Tactical Air Command  (TAC) in 1951 to train aircrews on C-46 Commando s for duty in Korea , though the wing itself was not tasked to deploy for the conflict there. The 435th was replaced by the 456th Troop Carrier Wing (456 TCW) in Dec 1952 and the 456th TCW was later replaced by the 482nd TCW as the Miami-based Air Force Reserve wing. By 1956, the 435th TCW was capable of flying overseas missions, particularly in the Caribbean area to Central America. In 1960, the wing moved to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida .

Over the many years of serving in Florida, the 435th Troop Carrier Wing came to be known as the Flamingo Wing - a name still used today by the 435th's veterans association.http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123053804. Two squadrons converted to the C-124 Globemaster in 1961 just before being ordered to active service. After training to become combat ready, participated in worldwide airlift and tactical exercises. Returned to reserve status in Aug 1962 and regained its C-119 Flying Boxcar  squadron that had not been on active duty. Switched completely to C-119s in 1963. Inactivated in 1965.

Reactivated first at RAF High Wycombe , England, 24 Dec 1968, then reassigned to Rhein-Main AB, West Germany  on 1 July 1969, the 435th served as a support wing of Military Airlift Command , providing deployed airlift control elements and aircraft maintenance at aerial ports in portions of Europe , the Middle East , Southwest Asia , and Africa .

The redesignated 435th Tactical Airlift Wing had host responsibilities for Rhein-Main AB, beginning Jul 1975, which included operating the busiest U.S. air terminal in Europe and supporting CONUS-based strategic airlift transiting Rhein-Main AB. While continuing to function as a tactical and support wing, the 435th TAW gained the mission of aeromedical evacuation in Europe and the Middle East. Provided airlift support for United States European Command  (EUCOM) and Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe  (USAFE), from Mar 1977 until Jun 1978.

Provided airlift for the theater, first with rotational C-130 forces until early 1978, afterward with an assigned airlift squadron. Participated in joint and combined paratroop training and exercises, as well all manner of theater humanitarian airlift, including relief for natural disasters, evacuation of civilians from hostile situations, and aeromedical evacuation from combat areas.

During Operation Desert Shield/Storm, the wing's 37th Tactical Airlift Squadron, plus additional wing personnel, deployed to Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, from mid-Aug 1990 to late Mar 1991 to provide theater airlift during the Persian Gulf War.

On 1 April 1992, the wing was again redesignated as the 435th Airlift Wing and implemented the objective wing concept. With the disestablishment of Military Airlift Command  (MAC) in 1992, the wing and Rhein-Main AB returned to USAFE control, while an Air Mobility Command  (AMC) airlift support group was activated to take over operation of the air terminal and support transiting air mobility (airlift and air refueling) aircraft.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modern era

From Jul 1992 through Sep 1994, the wing controlled the massive airlift effort (Operation Provide Promise) to provide airland and airdrop humanitarian airlift to war-torn areas of the former Yugoslavia.

On 1 October 1993 the 55 AAS and 58 AS were inactivated as part of the general drawdown in Europe at the end of the Cold War . In Feb 1994, USAF began returning portions of Rhein-Main AB to German control and the wing's remaining airlift squadron was reassigned to the 86th Wing  (86 WG) at Ramstein AB. The 86 WG was redesignated as the 86th Airlift Wing  (86 AW) on 1 Oct 1994. The 435 AW was inactivated effective 1 Apr 1995 and its responsibilities turned over to the 469th Air Base Group (469 ABG) under USAFE and the 726th Air Mobility Squadron (726 AMS) under AMC . The last commander of the 435th Airlift Wing was Col Donald A. Philpitt, USAF.

The 435 AW was converted to a provisional expeditionary wing between Feb 2003 and Dec 2003 in preparation for, and execution of, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, but was never activated.

In late 2003, the wing was reactivated as the 435th Air Base Wing (435 ABW) and assumed the overall host base support responsibilities at Ramstein AB, Germany  as a non-flying unit.

In mid 2009, the 435th Air Base Wing was redesignated as the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, only the second of its kind in the USAF. The 435th Air Ground Operations Wing assumed mission areas performed by two 86th Airlift Wing units -- the Contingency Response Group and the Air and Space Communications Group - along with the 4th Air Support Operations Group out of Heidelberg, Germany. The 431st Air Base Group was officially inactivated during an earlier ceremony. The remaining mission areas of the 435th ABW will merge with the 86th Airlift Wing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The United States 826th Engineering Aviation Battalion arrived at Rhein-Main in April 1945 and immediately began clearing rubble and reconstructing major buildings. Army engineers built new runways and extended and widened the existing runway. Also, they constructed new aprons and hardstands as well as taxiways leading to the new Rhein-Main passenger terminal completed in 1946. Air traffic into Rhein-Main increased in October 1946 when the air terminal at Orly Field, Paris, France, closed. Rhein-Main then hosted the Eastern Air Transport Service in January 1947.

Officials in Ninth Air Force intended the base for use as a bomber base, but Rhein-Main became a principal European air transport terminal from 1947 to 1959. Rhein-Main was the main western base for the round-the-clock Berlin Airlift, Operation Vittles, from June 1948 to September 1949. In April 1959, U.S. Air Forces in Europe turned over the northern part of the base to the German government for use as a civilian airport. The Flughafen, Frankfurt Airport became the chief commercial airport for the greater Frankfurt area in April 1959. The rest of the base remained under control of USAFE. The base became the principal aerial port for U.S. forces in Germany. On July 1, 1975, the base was assigned to Military Airlift Command. Under terms of an agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany, only transport aircraft have been stationed at Rhein-Main since May 1975. On April 1, 1992, the base was reassigned to USAFE. The base functioned as a major hub for U.S. forces deploying and redeploying for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The base delivered increasingly larger amounts of humanitarian aid for Operation Provide Comfort, Provide Hope, Restore Hope, Support Hope and the longest sustained humanitarian airlift relief effort in history, Operation Provide Promise. On Dec. 20, 1993, base officials announced plans to draw down to half the size and reduce the active duty force by more than two-thirds.

Rhein-Main completed its drawdown April 1, 1995. The remaining units support more than 2,600 community members, 30 tenant units and maintain contingency facilities for spin-up use by transient airlift aircraft. No aircraft are permanently assigned to the base.  

C-141B "Starlifter" 

(Information taken from the Charleston AFB Air Park Website)
The C-141 "Starlifter" fulfilled the vast spectrum of airlift requirements through its ability to airlift combat forces over long distances, deliver those forces and their equipment either by air, land or airdrop, resupply forces, and transport the sick and wounded from the hostile area to advanced medical facilities.

The C-141B is a "stretched" C-141A with in-flight refueling capability. The stretching of the Starlifter consisted of lengthening the planes 23 feet 4 inches. The added length increased the C-141 cargo capacity by about one-third, for an extra 2,171 cubic feet. The lengthening of the aircraft had the same overall effect as increasing the number of aircraft by 30 percent. The C-141A, built between 1963 and 1967, was Air Mobility Command's first jet aircraft designed to meet military standards as a troop and cargo carrier. The development of the B-model was the most cost-effective method of increasing the command's airlift capability.

A universal air refueling receptacle on the C-141, with the ability to transfer 23,592 gallons in about 26 minutes, means longer non-stop flights and fewer fuel stops at overseas bases during worldwide airlift missions.

With more than 40 years of service and nearly nine million flying hours, the C-141 force has a proven reliability and long-range capability. In addition to training, worldwide airlift and combat support, the C-141 has amassed a laudatory record in response to humanitarian crises.

The C-141, with its changeable cargo compartment, can transition from rollers on the floor for palletized cargo to a smooth floor for wheeled vehicles to aft facing seats or sidewall canvas seats for passengers, quickly and easily, to handle over 30 different missions.

The first C-141A, delivered to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, in October 1964, began squadron operations in April 1965. The C-141 was the first jet transport from which U.S. Army paratroopers jumped, and the first aircraft to land in the Antarctic. The first C-141B was received by the Air Force in December 1979. Conversion from A- to B-models was completed in 1982. Conversion to the C-models began in 1997 and was completed in 2001.

The last active duty C-141B retired September 16, 2004, at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. Air Mobility Command began transferring C-141s to the Air Reserve and Air National Guard forces in July 1986. There are 20 Reserve C-141Cs are stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and March Air Reserve Base, California.

C-141s were assigned to Joint Base Charleston from August 14, 1965, until the last aircraft departed on July 15, 2000. The fuselage on display in the air park was retired in September 1993 with a formal ceremony. retired Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Mikolajcik, 437th Airlift Wing commander, piloted the aircraft on its last flight. This particular fuselage was the first C-141 to reach 40,000 flying hours.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Cargo and troop transport
Contractor: Lockheed-Georgia Co.
Power Plant: 4 Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-7 turbofan engines
Thrust: 20,250 pounds, each engine
Wingspan: 160 ft
Length: 168 ft 4 in
Height: 39 ft 3 in
Cargo Compartment: Height, 9 ft 1 in; Length, 93 ft 4 in; Width, 10 ft 3 in
Cargo Door: Width, 10.25 ft; Height, 9.08 ft
Speed: 500 mph (Mach 0.74) at 25,000 feet
Ceiling: 41,000 feet at cruising speed
Range: Unlimited with in-flight refueling
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 323,100 lbs
Load: Either 200 troops, 155 paratroops, 103 litters and 14 seats, or 68,725 lbs cargo
Unit Cost: $47.4 million (fiscal 2002 constant dollars)
Crew: 5 or 6: 2 pilots, 2 flight engineers, and 1 loadmaster (add 1 navigator for airdrops)
2 flight nurses and 3 medical technicians added for aeromedical evacuation missions
Date Deployed: C-141A: October 1964; C-141B: December 1979; C-141C: October 1997
 

 

OFFICIAL Rhein Main Air Base History Information

 

 

From: Spink, Barry L Civ USAF AETC AFHRA/RS [mailto:Barry.Spink@MAXWELL.AF.MIL]

Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 3:52 PM

Subject: D 6397723 DODDS MONUMENT

 

Sir,

Here is a thumb-nail sketch of the 435th Wing History for the period you are interested in, for your possible use:

 

Redesignated 435 Military Airlift Support Wing on 25 Nov 1968. Activated on 24 Dec 1968. Redesignated: 435 Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 Jul 1975;

435 Airlift Wing on 1 Apr 1992. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1995. Redesignated

435 Air Expeditionary Wing, and converted to provisional status, on 5 Feb 2001. Returned to permanent status on 10 Dec 2003. Redesignated 435 Air Base Wing on 15 Dec 2003. Activated on 15 Jan 2004.

 

From Dec 1968 to Jul 1975, served as a support wing of Military Airlift Command, providing deployed airlift control elements and aircraft maintenance at aerial ports in portions of Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Africa. Combined with a tactical wing in Jul 1975 and, while continuing to function as a tactical and support wing, gained the mission of aeromedical evacuation in Europe and the Middle East.

Provided airlift support for EUCOM/Hq USAFE, from Mar 1977 until Jun 1978. Provided airlift for the theater, first with rotational C-130 forces until early 1978, afterward with an assigned airlift squadron.

Participated in joint and combined paratroop training and exercises, as well all manner of theater humanitarian airlift, including relief for natural disasters, evacuation of civilians from hostile situations, and aeromedical evacuation from combat areas. Had host responsibilities for Rhein-Main AB, beginning Jul 1975, which included operating the busiest U.S. air terminal in Europe and supporting CONUS-based strategic airlift transiting Rhein-Main AB. The 37th TAS plus additional wing personnel deployed to Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, from mid-Aug 1990 to late Mar 1991, to provide airlift during the Persian Gulf War. On 1 Apr 1992, the wing and Rhein-Main AB returned to USAFE control; a MAC airlift support group activated to take over operation of the air terminal and support transiting strategic aircraft.

 

Sincerely,

 

BARRY L. SPINK

Archivist

Air Force Historical Research Agency

600 Chennault Circle, Bldg 1405

Maxwell AFB, AL  36112-6424

barry.spink@maxwell.af.mil

 

 

DRAFT

Lineage and Honors History

of the

435 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (ACC)

 

Lineage.  Constituted as 435 Organizational Maintenance Squadron on 25 Jun 1975.  Activated on 1 Jul 1975.  Redesignated as 435 Aircraft Generation Squadron on 1 Aug 1990.  Inactivated on 1 Apr 1992.  Redesignated as 435 Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and converted to provisional status on 14 Mar 2003.  Withdrawn from provisional status and redesignated 435 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on 10 Dec 2003.

Assignments.  435 Tactical Airlift Wing, 1 Jul 1975; 435 Tactical Airlift Group, 15 Dec 1978; 435 Tactical Airlift Wing, 1 Jun 1980-1 Apr 1992.  United States Air Forces in Europe to activate or inactivate at any time after 14 Mar 2003-10 Dec 2003.

Stations.  Rhein Main AB, Germany, 1 Jul 1975-1 Apr 1992.

Service Streamers.  None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers.  None

Decorations.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:  1 Jul 1978-30 Jun 1980; 1 Jul 1981-30 Jun 1983; 1 Jul 1983-30 Jun 1985; 1 Jul 1985-30 Jun 1987; 1 Jul 1987-30 Jun 1989; 1 Jul 1989-30 Jun 1991.

Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 1 Apr 1992.

Supersedes statement prepared on 7 Oct 1975

Emblem.  Approved on 1 Feb 1980

Prepared by Carl E. Bailey