About this Unit
The 437th Military Airlift Command (437 MAC) traces its origins to the 437th Troop Carrier Group, first activated during World War II in 1943. The unit played a crucial role in major airborne operations, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. Reactivated during the Cold War, the 437th was assigned to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, providing global airlift support for personnel, equipment, and humanitarian missions. As part of the Military Airlift Command, it contributed significantly to U.S. military operations, peacekeeping, and disaster relief efforts worldwide.
Historical Facts
• Origins in World War II: The 437th Military Airlift Command (437 MAC) traces its lineage back to the 437th Troop Carrier Group, activated in 1943, which participated in major Allied airborne operations in Europe, including D-Day and Operation Market Garden.
• D-Day Heroics: On June 6, 1944, the 437th was among the first units to drop paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division into Normandy, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for bravery under fire.
• Operation Market Garden: Later in 1944, the unit participated in the largest airborne operation of WWII, dropping paratroopers in the Netherlands to secure key bridges behind enemy lines.
• Berlin Airlift Support: After WWII, the 437th was briefly inactivated but later reactivated to support the Berlin Airlift, delivering essential supplies to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade in 1948-1949.
• Korean War Service: The 437th was mobilized during the Korean War, flying vital airlift missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuations, and supporting frontline operations.
• Transition to Jet Age: The unit modernized over the years, operating various aircraft such as the C-47, C-46, C-119, C-124, and later the C-141 Starlifter and C-17 Globemaster III.
• Charleston AFB Home: The 437th has been based at Charleston Air Force Base (now Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina) since 1966, becoming a cornerstone of America’s strategic airlift capability.
• Vietnam and Humanitarian Missions: During the Vietnam War and throughout the Cold War, 437 MAC flew countless missions worldwide, including humanitarian relief efforts after natural disasters.
• Operation Desert Storm: The unit played a key logistical role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, delivering troops, vehicles, and supplies to the Middle East in 1990-1991.
• Legacy and Modern Era: Today, the lineage continues as the 437th Airlift Wing, operating the C-17 and supporting global mobility missions, including support for operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and disaster relief across the globe.
