1/200 Gemini200 (G2AFO1136) Lockheed C5M Super Galaxy (70037) "Spirit of Chicopee" Westover Massachusetts AFRC 439th AW U.S.A.F. (Limited Edition) 2024 Release  

439th Airlift Wing

The 439th Airlift Wing (439 AW) is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command, Fourth Air Force, and is based at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.

The peacetime mission includes recruiting, training and supervision of personnel to assure mission readiness. The wing is also responsible for the management of aircraft maintenance and all assigned Air Force combat support real property, equipment and supplies.

439th Airlift Wing
The 439th Airlift Wing operate C-5M Super Galaxys
Active	1992 – present under present title
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Airlift
Part of	Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ	Westover Air Reserve Base
Nickname	Patriot Wing
Decorations	DUC  AFOUA  FCdG w/ Palm French Fourragère
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Gregory D. Buchanan
Insignia
439th Airlift Wing emblem (approved 3 August 2010)[1]
Aircraft flown
Transport	Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy

The 439th Airlift Wing (439 AW) is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command, Fourth Air Force, and is based at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.

The peacetime mission includes recruiting, training and supervision of personnel to assure mission readiness. The wing is also responsible for the management of aircraft maintenance and all assigned Air Force combat support real property, equipment and supplies.

The 439th Airlift Wing traces its origins to the 439 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, established on 19 May 1949. Activated in the Reserve on 27 Jun 1949 at Selfridge AFB, Michigan with T-6 Texan trainer aircraft. Assigned to 439 Troop Carrier Group. Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951. Inactivated on 3 April 1951. Redesignated as 439 Fighter-Bomber Wing on 26 May 1952, for fighter-bomber missions.^[1]

Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952. Inactivated on 16 November 1957. Redesignated as 439 Tactical Airlift Wing on 14 March 1974, with C-123 and C-130. Moved to Westover AFB (later, Westover ARB), MA, 1 April 1974. Activated in the Reserve on 1 April 1974. Redesignated as: 439th Military Airlift Wing on 1 Oct 1987, with C-5 Galaxy. The 439th flew several relief missions to Jamaica after Hurricane Gilbert devastated that island in the fall of 1988.^[2] C-130 operations ended in 1988.^[1]

The 439th airlifted troops and equipment to Panama during Operation Just Cause, the United States invasion of Panama. Redesignated 439th Airlift Wing on 1 February 1992.^[1] In August 1992, Westover C-5s ferried supplies, vehicles and personnel to Homestead AFB, Florida, to assist in the relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew.^[2]

Wing missions included airlifting troops and cargo to Europe and southwest Asia before and during the Gulf War, Patriot missiles to Israel in early 1991, and airlift of presidential helicopters to Martinque also in 1991. Provided worldwide air movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients, 2000-; transported rescue teams and equipment to New York City after the September 11 attacks terrorist attack on the US, Sep 2001; supported Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001–2002; flew tsunami r elief missions in Southwest Asia, January 2005; humanitarian relief efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, August–September 2005; The wing flew relief missions after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.^[1] On June 2, 2017, the wing received its first C-5M Super Galaxy, the first of eight destined for the wing.^[3] On September 20, 2018, the wing took delivery of its last C-5M Super Galaxy.^[4]