86th Airlift Wing

The 86th Airlift Wing, currently based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, traces its origins to its activation as the 86th Fighter Wing in 1948. Throughout the Cold War, the unit played a vital role in NATO’s air defense, transitioning from fighters to airlift missions. Redesignated as the 86th Airlift Wing in 1994, it became the U.S. Air Force’s premier airlift unit in Europe, supporting missions ranging from humanitarian relief to combat operations. Today, the Wing provides rapid global mobility, aeromedical evacuation, and command support, remaining a critical component of U.S. and allied operations across Europe and Africa.