Military Airlift Command

The Military Airlift Command (MAC) was established by the United States Air Force on January 1, 1966, as a successor to the Military Air Transport Service. Its primary mission was to provide global airlift capabilities, transporting troops, equipment, and supplies during peacetime and conflicts, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. MAC operated iconic aircraft such as the C-141 Starlifter, C-5 Galaxy, and C-130 Hercules, playing a vital role in humanitarian and military operations worldwide. In 1992, MAC was inactivated and its responsibilities were assumed by the newly formed Air Mobility Command, reflecting an expanded mission that included both airlift and aerial refueling.