Big 7-0 For The 86th

Posted 13 January 2012

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Photo by SrA Stephen J. Otero

The 86th Airlift Wing, the US Air Forces in Europe unit at Ramstein AB, Germany, marked its seventieth anniversary on 13 January 2012. Originated as the 86th Bombardment Group (Light) during World War II, the wing went from being a bombardment wing, flying the A-20 Havoc, to a tactical fighter wing in 1969, eventually flying F-16s. The wing was redesignated the 86th Airlift Wing on 21 July 1994. The wing's primary mission now is to provide airlift support to the United States European Command and allied air forces. The wing’s 37th Airlift Squadron today flies the C-130J Super Hercules. In the last ten years, the 86th AW has participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Odyssey Dawn.

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