ABOUT 316th TAW
- Origins in World War II: The 316th Troop Carrier Group, predecessor of the 316th TAW, was activated in 1942 and participated in airborne operations in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.
- Normandy Invasion: The 316th airlifted paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions.
- Operation Market Garden: The unit played a key role in the airborne assault on the Netherlands in September 1944, delivering troops and supplies during the ambitious, though ultimately unsuccessful, operation.
- Postwar Inactivation and Reactivation: After WWII, the group was inactivated, but was reactivated during the Cold War to meet new airlift demands.
- Transition to Modern Airlift: Redesignated several times, the unit became the 316th Tactical Airlift Wing (TAW) in 1975, reflecting its focus on rapid, tactical airlift missions.
- Stationed at Little Rock AFB: The 316th TAW was based at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, serving as a major C-130 Hercules training and operational wing.
- Humanitarian Missions: The 316th TAW supported numerous humanitarian relief operations, including disaster response in the United States and abroad.
- Training Excellence: The unit was responsible for training U.S. and allied aircrews on the C-130 Hercules, one of the world’s most versatile transport aircraft.
- Gulf War Support: Elements of the 316th TAW provided critical airlift support during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s.
- Legacy and Honors: The 316th TAW and its predecessors earned multiple honors, including Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, and left a lasting legacy in tactical airlift history before inactivation in 1992.