Airlift Wing Celebrates 70 Years

Tracing its heritage to World War II, the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein AB, Germany, is celebrating 70 years of operations, the bulk of which has been spent in Germany. “The 86th Airlift Wing has a rich history,” said wing historian Silvano Wueschner. The unit originated as the 86th Bombardment Group (Light) on Jan. 13, 1942, flying fighter-bombers in North Africa and Europe during World War II. It evolved into a tactical fighter wing in 1969, and then became the airlift wing that we know today in 1994. The wing’s new fleet of C-130Js flew combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, and humanitarian missions to Libya. “Given our current tempo we will be sure to add significantly to that heritage,” said Wueschner. (Ramstein report by A1C Trevor Rhynes)