516th Aeronautical Systems Wing

516th Aeronautical Systems Wing
Emblem of the WPAFB Aeronautical Systems Center
Country	United States
Branch	Air Force
Type	Aeronautical Systems
Part of	Air Force Material Command
Garrison/HQ	Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

The 516th Aeronautical Systems Wing (516 ASW) is a wing of the United States Air Force assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Mission

The 516th ASW is responsible for modernization, development, test, production, deployment and sustainment of new and existing aircraft systems to meet Air Mobility Command, Air Force Reserve Command, Air National Guard, and Special Ops Forces Global Mobility mission areas. The wing executes a $16.9 billion budget.

Units

The 517th Aeronautical Systems Wing is comprised of the following units:

• 866th Aeronautical Systems Group (C-130)

Directs the modernization, development, test, production, deployment and plans for sustainment of the C-130 aircraft, support, and training systems. This Department of Defense airlift program provides tactical airlift capability in support of U.S. national interests.

• 716th Aeronautical Systems Group (C-5)

Directs the modernization, development, test, production, deployment and plans for sustainment of C-5 aircraft, support and training systems. This Department of Defense airlift modernization program provides strategic airlift capability in support of U.S. national interests.

• 516th Aeronautical Systems Group (C-17)

Directs the modernization, development, test, production, deployment and sustainment of C-17 aircraft, F117 engine, support, and training systems. This Department of Defense airlift program provides vital airlift capability in support of U.S. national interests.

• 653d Aeronautical Systems Squadron, (Tanker Modernization)

Directs the development, test, production, deployment and sustainment of KC-10 Aircraft Modernization and KC-135 Replacement Tanker aircraft, support, and training systems programs. These programs provide strategic mobility and force enabling capability to Air Mobility Command in support of U.S. national interests and worldwide readiness support.

• 654th Aeronautical Systems Squadron (LAIRCM)

Directs the development, test, production, deployment and plans for sustainment of the Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures system for both transport and tanker aircraft. This Department of Defense program develops advanced missile warning systems and countermeasures.

• 655th Aeronautical Systems Squadron (Commercial Derivatives)

Directs the acquisition, modernization, deployment and sustainment of a fleet of leased and purchased aircraft for the operational support airlift/very important person special air mission (OSA/VIPSAM) that includes the C-32A, C-37A/B, C-40B/C, and E-10. The program supports Air Mobility Command, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve missions providing support airlift and communications capability to our nation’s leaders.

History

Lineage

• Established as 516th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, on 10 May 1949

Activated in the Reserve on 26 Jun 1949

Ordered to active service on 16 Apr 1951

Inactivated on 16 Jan 1953

• Activated on 19 Jul 1962

Organized on 1 Jan 1963

Redesignated: 516th Troop Carrier Wing on 1 Mar 1966

Redesignated: 516th Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 May 1967

Inactivated on 1 Jun 1972

• Redesignated: 516th Aeronautical Systems Wing 2003

Activated 2003

Assignments

• Continental Air Command

Fourteenth Air Force, 26 Jun 1947

• Tactical Air Command, 17 Apr 1951

Eighteenth Air Force, 1 Jun 1951-16 Jan 1953

• Tactical Air Command, 19 Jul 1962

Twelfth Air Force, 1 Jan 1963

839th Air Division, 1 Jul 1963 - 9 Nov 1964

Twelfth Air Force, 24 Dec 1969

834th Air Division, 15 Mar-1 Jun 1972.

• Air Force Material Command 2006 - Present

Aeronautical Systems Center

Stations

• Memphis Muni Aprt, Tenn, 26 Jun 1949-16 Jan 1953
• Dyess AFB, Texas, 1 Jan 1963-1 Jun 1972.
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 2006-Present

Operational Components

Group

• 516th Troop Carrier: 26 Jun 1949-16 Jan 1953

Squadrons

• 17th Troop Carrier: 1 Jan 1963-15 Jun 1964.
• 18th Troop Carrier (later Military Airlift): 1 Jan-1 Jun 1963; 15 Oct 1969-1 Jun 1972
• 345th Troop Carrier: 8 Jan 1963-27 Nov 1965
• 346th Troop Carrier (later Military Airlift): 1 Apr 1963-15 Mar 1969

Detached 1 Jul—c. 1 Sep 1964, 5 Feb-30 May 1968

• 347th Troop Carrier (later Military Airlift): 1 Jul 1963 - 1 Jun 1972

Detached 18 May—c. 20 Jul 1964, 22 Jun-27 Sep 1967, 27 Jan-11 Mar 1968, 15 Jun-15 Oct 1968, 25 Feb-28 May 1969, 13 Jun-3 Sep 1969, 3 Feb-10 Apr 1970, 7 Sep-11 Nov 1970, 4 Jun-10 Aug 1971, 4 Feb-17 Apr 1972

• 348th Military Airlift: 5 Jul 1968-1 Jun 1972

Detached 15 Oct 1968-10 Jan 1969, 1 Sep-13 Nov 1969, 5 May-7 Jul 1970, 5 Jan-10 Mar 1971, 5 Oct-17 Dec 1971, 8 May—1 Jun 1972).

• 4449th Combat Crew Training: 27 Aug-15 Oct 1969.

Aircraft

• T-7, 1949-1951
• T-11, 1949-1951
• C-46, 1949-1953
• C-119, 1952-1953
• C-130, 1963-1972
• C-7, 1969 1972.

Operational History

Performed Reserve troop carrier training under supervision of 2584th Air Force Reserve Training Center, Jun 1949—Apr 1951. Upon entering active duty in Apr 1951. assumed responsibility for operating and maintaining Memphis Muni Aprt and participated in tactical exercises and worldwide airlift. Converted from C-46 to C-119 aircraft in 1952. Replaced by 463d Troop Carrier Wing in Jan 1953.

Replaced 64th Troop Carrier Wing in Jan 1963. Until replaced by 463d Tactical Airlift Wing in Jun 1972, performed worldwide tactical airlift and participated in a constant stream of tactical exercises and operations. Frequently deployed squadrons overseas in Europe, the Far East, and the Canal Zone. Conducted C-7 combat crew training in addition to other missions. Aug 1969—May 1972 (for USAF personnel) and Aug—Oct 1971 (for South Vietnamese crews)

Inactivated on 1 Jun 1972

External links

• Wright-Patterson AFB Home Page
• 516th Aeronautical Systems Wing