50th Troop Carrier Wing

History

The wing was first established as the 50th Transport Wing, then activated on 14 January 1941. In July 1942 it became the 50th Troop Carrier Wing and was a major training organization for I Troop Carrier Command until 1943, training subordinate units in the United States prior to overseas deployment.

In October 1943, became a command organization for IX Troop Carrier Command, Ninth Air Force in England. "Subordinate units began training for the invasion of continental Europe. This training involved airdropping paratroops and towing gliders."

"In June 1944, subordinate units dropped paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy, subsequently flying numerous missions to bring in reinforcements and needed supplies. During the airborne attack on The Netherlands (Operation Market Garden, September 1944), the 50th dropped paratroops, towed gliders, and flew resupply missions. Several of its subordinate units also participated in the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The 50th supported the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge by towing gliders full of supplies near Bastogne on 27 December 1944. In addition, its units participated in the air assault across the Rhine River in early 1945 and later flew numerous freight missions to carry gasoline, food, medicine, and other supplies to allied ground forces pushing across Germany."

The wing returned to the United States in September 1945. In 1946 it became a subordinate organization of new Tactical Air Command with responsibility for the theater transport (Troop Carrier) mission. It was inactivated on 31 July 1946.

On 1 September 1959, the USAF redesignated the wing as the 50th Air Division; however, the division was never activated.

Lineage

Established as the 50th Transport Wing on 8 January 1941

Activated on 14 January 1941 Redesignated 50th Troop Carrier Wing on 4 July 1942 Inactivated on 31 July 1946 Redesignated 50th Air Division on 1 September 1959 (Remained inactive)

Assignments

Office, Chief of the Air Corps, 14 January 1941

Air Corps Maintenance Command (later Air Service Command), 15 March 1941

Air Transport Command, later I Troop Carrier Command), 30 April 1942

Army Service Forces, c. 9 – 15 October 1943

Ninth Air Force, c. 15 October 1943

IX Troop Carrier Command, 16 October 1943

I Troop Carrier Command, 29 September 1945

IX Troop Carrier Command, 4 November 1945

Tactical Air Command, 21 March 1946

Third Air Force, 28 March – 31 July 1946

Components

Groups

Squadrons