Town Hall to Discuss Reactivating 440Th at MSP by Col
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July 2016 Central Accord 2016 A loadmaster with the 96th Airlift Squadron sits in the back cargo bay of a 934th AW C-130H Hercules prior to releasing cargo during this year’s Central Accord exercise in Libreville, Gabon Africa June 18. U.S. Army Africa’s exercise Central Accord 2016 is an annual, combined, joint military exercise that brings together partner nations to practice and demonstrate proficiency in conducting peacekeeping operations. (DoD News photo by TSgt Brian Kimball) Town Hall to discuss reactivating 440th at MSP by Col. Timothy Wollmuth reactivated as a Reserve Flying Training Group in 934 AW Vice Commander 1947 at Minneapolis, Minn.? Two years later, the Does this patch look familiar to you? Did unit’s mission changed and it was renamed the you know that 440th Reserve Troop Carrier Wing. The patch you after World see is the earliest official heraldry of the wing which War II, the remained in Minneapolis until November 1957 when 440th Troop it was transferred to Milwaukee, Wis. Carrier Group Did you know that the support detachments of returned to the 440th Airlift Wing, which remained in Minneapolis the United following the 440th move to Milwaukee, became the States for 934th Tactical Airlift Group in the early 1960s? Even deactivation following the activation of the 934 TAG, the 440th only to be Tactical Airlift Wing remained the parent wing of Minneapolis until 1978. 440th--continues on next page 440th--continued from previous page the invasion of France in June of 1944. The 440th’s first operational airdrop mission was the 3rd Battalion, 506th Did you know that the 934th Airlift Wing was Parachute Infantry and two platoons of Company C, not activated until 1994? In 1994 the Air Force 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion of the 101st Airborne reorganized the Air Force from top to bottom, creating Division, from 45 C-47s at 0143 GMT on D-Day, June 6, the Air Mobility Command, the Air Combat Command 1944. and others, replacing the Military Airlift Command , the The men of the 440th also participated in Tactical Air Command, and Strategic Air Command, Southeastern Holland for Operation Market Garden, etc. also known as the “Bridge Too Far Mission,” the Why does this matter? The 440th’s origins go invasion of Southern France, the aerial re-supply of the back to 1943 at Baer Field, near Ft. Wayne, Indiana. 101st Airborne Division surrounded in Bastogne during The 440th Troop Carrier Group had 52 C-47s the Battle of the Bulge, and the airborne crossing of the Skytrain transports (“Gooney Birds”) and a number Rhine River near Wesel, Germany in 1945. of Waco gliders assigned to the 95th (Flying Badgers The 440th is currently deactivating at Pope Air Force - Minneapolis/Milwaukee/ Pope), 96th (Flying Vikings- Base. This is an opportunity for us to bring the “North Minneapolis), 97th (C-17s at McChord) and 98th Star Wing” back to Minnesota. Come out to the 934th (retired) Troop Carrier Squadrons. Services Club, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. to learn more about our The unit’s first operational training was done at shared rich heritage with the 440th and discuss re- Alliance Army Air Base, Neb. and at Pope Field, Fort activating the 440th in Minneapolis. Bragg, N.C. It was at Fort Bragg that the 440th first This idea does not change the 934th unit mission, practiced with live paratroopers from the 82nd and 17th equipment or manpower in any way. Pizza and salad Airborne Divisions. will be provided (donations accepted) and drinks In 1944, the 440th eventually reached Exeter, available for purchase. See you on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.! England, the base from which the 440th took off for OG conducts first ever ‘rodeo’ competition By Master Sgt. Eric Amidon forces, component and combatant commanders, and 934 AW Public Affairs supporting national humanitarian relief assistance The 934th Operations Group conducted their first agencies through the execution of their mission. ever OG Rodeo June 3-4 in a whirlwind competition Multiple teams competed in events including an off- to hone skills and provide real-world training for all loading cargo challenge, a “backing” challenge where organizations involved. the aircraft was to stop at a point 60 feet from the The 96th Airlift Squadron, 934th Operation Support established marker and an airdrop challenge. Squadron, The Intelligence Office, Life Support, The teams were judged on proficiency and ability to Aerial Port and Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron all maintain a watchful eye on safety standards throughout participated in the competition and gained real-world all of the events. The team with the highest score won experience through the execution of each scenario. the coveted and newly created “Viking Hammer.” Lt. Col. Casey Dodds, 934th Operations Group “After the Mobility Air Rodeo was cancelled again deputy commander, said, “This rodeo was modeled last year, members of the squadron saw an opportunity after the Air Mobility Rodeo at Joint Base Lewis- to host a local competition that would provide tactical McChord, Washington, and its goal was to provide training scenarios similar to those situations faced in tactical training and practice threat management in a real-world situations.” said Major Ethan Bryant, one of friendly competitive environment.” the competing C-130 pilots participating in the rodeo. The Air Mobility Rodeo, the main training exercise Major Bryant said the competition also helped build for the Air Mobility Command, was cancelled in both Esprit de Corps, camaraderie and teamwork. 2013 and 2015 due to sequestration. “The rodeo was a huge success with our Operations With a focus on practicing threat management, it Group participants,” said Dodds. “We are planning was crucial that every team perform at the very top of to make it even bigger next year. Units outside the their game. Members of the 96th Airlift Squadron are Operations Group have already expressed interest in charged with providing global reach to war fighting participating.”.