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60th Air Mobility Wing

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Air Mobility Command Hop 4
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60th Air Mobility Wing
Unit name60th Air Mobility Wing
Dates1940–1946; 1946–present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeAir Mobility Wing
RoleAirlift, Aerial refueling
Command structureEighteenth Air Force
GarrisonTravis Air Force Base
Motto"Strength Through Mobility"
BattlesWorld War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Aircraft transportC-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III
Aircraft tankerKC-10 Extender

60th Air Mobility Wing. It is the host wing for Travis Air Force Base in California and operates under the Eighteenth Air Force of Air Mobility Command. As the largest wing in AMC, it provides global airlift and aerial refueling for American and allied forces. The wing's history traces back to its activation as the 60th Transport Group during World War II.

History

The unit was originally constituted as the 60th Transport Group in December 1940 and activated at Pope Field, North Carolina. During World War II, it flew C-47 Skytrain and C-46 Commando aircraft, participating in critical campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. Redesignated the 60th Troop Carrier Wing in 1949, it supported operations during the Korean War from bases in Japan. Throughout the Cold War, the wing relocated to Travis Air Force Base in 1958, transitioning to jet aircraft like the C-141 Starlifter and supporting major operations including the Vietnam War and the Berlin Airlift. It was redesignated under its current title in 1991 and has since been integral to every major contingency, from Operation Desert Storm to sustained operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mission

The primary mission is to provide rapid, global air mobility and sustainment for the United States Department of Defense. This encompasses the strategic airlift of personnel, equipment, and supplies, as well as worldwide aerial refueling for USAF, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied aircraft. The wing also maintains a constant Air Expeditionary Force readiness posture, enabling immediate response to humanitarian aid crises, such as those following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami or Hurricane Katrina, and combat operations ordered by the President of the United States or Secretary of Defense.

Organization

The wing is composed of several groups and squadrons. The 60th Operations Group oversees all flying operations, including the 21st Airlift Squadron and 22nd Airlift Squadron flying the C-5M Super Galaxy, the 6th Air Refueling Squadron operating the KC-10 Extender, and the 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The 60th Maintenance Group provides comprehensive maintenance for the aircraft fleet. The 60th Mission Support Group and 60th Medical Group deliver essential base infrastructure, security, logistics, and healthcare services to support the Travis Air Force Base community and the wing's global mission.

Aircraft

The fleet consists of a mix of strategic airlift and tanker aircraft. It operates the massive C-5M Super Galaxy, one of the world's largest military aircraft, for outsize cargo transport. The wing also flies the versatile C-17 Globemaster III for strategic and tactical airlift. For global reach extension, it employs the KC-10 Extender, a multi-role tanker and cargo aircraft capable of refueling a wide variety of USAF, USN, USMC, and NATO receiver aircraft. These assets are maintained at the highest readiness rates to meet global taskings from United States Transportation Command.

Bases

Its primary and only current duty station is Travis Air Force Base, located in Solano County, California. Historically, the wing and its predecessor units have been stationed at numerous locations, including Pope Field (now Pope Army Airfield) in North Carolina, Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts, and Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany during the Cold War. The move to Travis Air Force Base in 1958 established its enduring role as the primary air mobility hub for the Pacific region.

Emblem and heritage

The unit's emblem, approved in 1952, features a blue disc with a stylized golden wing and a red spearhead, symbolizing speed and aggressive spirit. The wing's heritage is displayed at the Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center, which preserves artifacts from its history including uniforms from the Korean War and models of aircraft like the C-141 Starlifter. Its lineage and honors are perpetuated by the United States Air Force Heritage Program, and its battle honors include participation in the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States Air Force Category:Air Mobility Command