316th Wing
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| 316th Wing | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 316th Wing |
| Dates | 1947–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Garrison | Joint Base Andrews, Maryland |
316th Wing The 316th Wing is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, supporting presidential, congressional, and national leadership airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and base operating support. It provides contingency response, VIP airlift, and expeditionary support to the Department of Defense, interacting regularly with units associated with the White House, United States Secret Service, United States Department of Defense, United States Air Force, and Air Mobility Command. The wing also works with regional organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and Transportation Security Administration.
Overview
The wing serves as the host unit at Joint Base Andrews, integrating operations that encompass strategic airlift and contingency response in coordination with commands like Air Combat Command, United States Transportation Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and Air Force Reserve Command. Its mission set ties to entities including United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Army, and civilian agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security. The unit supports flag officers from institutions like the Pentagon, judicial delegations from the Supreme Court of the United States, and diplomatic missions connected to the United States Department of State.
History
Originally activated after World War II, the wing's lineage connects to postwar reorganization efforts involving units reassigned during the drawdown that followed the Surrender of Japan, the Berlin Airlift, and early Cold War airlift expansion. During the Korean War and later the Vietnam War, personnel and aircrews supported operations coordinated with Military Air Transport Service, Tactical Air Command, and Strategic Air Command elements. In the 1980s and 1990s the wing adjusted to global contingencies including operations linked to Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and humanitarian missions such as those following Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Post-9/11 realignments connected the wing to counterterrorism efforts alongside United States Central Command, United States Northern Command, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Organizational Structure
The wing comprises groups and squadrons that coordinate support functions, including operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups. It interacts administratively and operationally with units such as the 89th Airlift Wing (for VIP airlift coordination), the 113th Wing (Air National Guard associations), and tenant organizations like the 18th Wing and various United States Coast Guard components when joint mission sets occur. The wing's staff liaises with staff colleges and training institutions such as the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, National War College, and Joint Forces Staff College for professional military education and joint planning.
Aircraft and Equipment
The wing operates and supports a fleet that historically included airframes and platforms related to strategic and tactical airlift, VIP transport, and aeromedical evacuation. Aircraft types associated by mission or through base hosting include the Boeing VC-25, C-17 Globemaster III, C-32 (Boeing 757 variant), C-40 Clipper, KC-135 Stratotanker, and rotary-wing assets used in coordination with Marine Helicopter Squadron One, President of the United States\' helicopter, and interservice rotary platforms. Ground and support equipment interfaces involve systems procured from manufacturers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Electric, and Pratt & Whitney.
Operations and Deployments
The wing conducts routine operations tied to executive airlift missions supporting travel by the President of the United States, congressional delegations like United States Senate and United States House of Representatives committees, and international visits with delegations from entities such as the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. It deploys task elements to support NATO exercises including Operation Atlantic Resolve, crisis responses alongside United States Africa Command, and contingency deployments in coordination with United States European Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command. The wing has taken part in humanitarian and disaster relief missions interacting with United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations like Doctors Without Borders.
Notable Commanders and Personnel
Notable leaders and personnel associated with the wing have included senior officers and aviators who later served in high-level positions within institutions such as the Air Force Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and senior diplomatic roles in the United States Foreign Service. The wing's alumni network includes graduates of programs at National Defense University, Harvard Kennedy School, Georgetown University, and United States Naval Academy, who have gone on to serve on staffs at the White House Chief of Staff office, within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and as liaisons to foreign defense ministries during joint exercises and bilateral engagements.