439th Airlift Wing

The 439th Airlift Wing (439 AW) is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command, Fourth Air Force, and is based at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.

The peacetime mission includes recruiting, training and supervision of personnel to assure mission readiness. The wing is also responsible for the management of aircraft maintenance and all assigned Air Force combat support real property, equipment and supplies.

The wing consists of the following component groups:

439th Operations Group (439 OG)

439th Maintenance Group (439 MXG)

439th Mission Support Group (439 MSG)

The 439th Airlift Wing traces its origins to the 439 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, established on 19 May 1949. Activated in the Reserve on 27 Jun 1949 at Selfridge AFB, Michigan with T-6 Texan trainer aircraft. Assigned to 439 Troop Carrier Group. Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951. Inactivated on 3 April 1951. Redesignated as 439 Fighter-Bomber Wing on 26 May 1952, for fighter-bomber missions.

Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952. Inactivated on 16 November 1957. Redesignated as 439 Tactical Airlift Wing on 14 March 1974, with C-123 and C-130. Moved to Westover AFB (later, Westover ARB), MA, 1 April 1974. Activated in the Reserve on 1 April 1974. Redesignated as: 439th Military Airlift Wing on 1 Oct 1987, with C-5 Galaxy. The 439th flew several relief missions to Jamaica after Hurricane Gilbert devastated that island in the fall of 1988. C-130 operations ended in 1988.