MARCH AFB C-119

• Strategic Location: March Air Force Base (AFB), located in Riverside County, California, was a key hub for troop and cargo transport during the Korean War and the early Cold War era. • C-119 "Flying Boxcar": The C-119 was nicknamed the "Flying Boxcar" due to its distinctive boxy fuselage, designed to efficiently carry cargo, troops, and even vehicles. • First Arrivals: The first C-119 Flying Boxcars arrived at March AFB in the early 1950s, assigned to the 452nd Troop Carrier Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit. • Korean War Service: C-119s from March AFB played a critical role in airlifting supplies, paratroopers, and evacuating wounded personnel during the Korean War. • Paratrooper Operations: The C-119 was specially equipped with doors for paratrooper drops, and March AFB crews regularly trained for airborne operations and mass airdrops. • Unique Missions: March AFB's C-119s were sometimes used in experimental missions, such as deploying "snatch recovery" systems to retrieve objects or personnel from the ground without landing. • Disaster Relief: The C-119s at March AFB frequently participated in disaster relief missions, delivering food, medical supplies, and rescue teams during floods and earthquakes in the western United States. • Hollywood Connections: Due to its proximity to Los Angeles, March AFB and its C-119s occasionally appeared in movies and television shows, portraying military airlift operations. • Reserve Legacy: The 452nd Airlift Wing, now known as the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, traces its lineage back to the C-119 era at March AFB and continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve today. • Aircraft Preservation: A restored C-119 is on display at the March Field Air Museum, serving as a tribute to the men and women who flew and maintained the Flying Boxcar at March AFB.