JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
On January 8, 1966, the 437th Military Airlift Wing, predecessor of the 437th Airlift Wing, transferred from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Charleston Air Force Base. It had been located in Chicago since the end of World War II as a traditional reserve wing. Replacing the 1608th Air Transport Wing, the 437th AW quickly established itself as a critical component of U.S. air mobility. During its first decade at Charleston, the wing played a pivotal role in major global events. In 1968, it demonstrated remarkable efficiency during Operation BONNY JACK, an airlift to Vietnam, and in 1973, it was instrumental in Operation NICKEL GRASS, supplying crucial military equipment to Israel during the Yom Kippur War.
Throughout the subsequent decades, the 437th AW continued to support U.S. interests and humanitarian efforts across the globe. In 1975, the wing participated in Operation NEW LIFE, supporting the evacuation of over 130,000 refugees from Vietnam. Its operational tempo remained high with involvement in Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama in 1989. The wing's strategic importance was further highlighted during Operation DESERT SHIELD in 1990, where its Lockheed C-141 Starlifters were the first to arrive in the region, ultimately flying a quarter of all strategic airlift missions for the operation.
The 1990s showcased the wing's versatility, as it simultaneously conducted humanitarian missions and supported combat operations. In 1992, the 437th AW delivered aid to Somalia in Operation PROVIDE RELIEF while also flying dozens of missions for Hurricane Andrew relief efforts in Florida. The introduction of the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft marked a new era for the wing. This was demonstrated in 1999 when the 437th Air Expeditionary Group was activated at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to support NATO's Operation ALLIED FORCE with a contingent of C-17s, showcasing the aircraft's and crews' advanced capabilities.
Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, the 437th AW immediately engaged in support of the nation, airlifting a medical team and supplies for relief efforts. Its role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM was significant, from dropping humanitarian rations in Afghanistan to executing the first-ever C-17 combat landing on a dirt strip using night vision goggles. The wing set another precedent in 2003 with the first C-17 combat insertion of paratroopers into northern Iraq.
In 2021, the 437th AW participated in Operation ALLIES REFUGE, the largest non-combatant airlift evacuation in history. The 437th AW airlifted nearly 33,000 of the 124,334 Afghan refugees evacuated. In 2023, it made history by launching the largest-ever formation of 24 C-17s from a single base, kicking off Air Mobility Command’s first Mobility Guardian Exercise.
In 2024, the wing continued its tradition of excellence flying 626 BANNER EXPRESS missions, transporting 34 million lbs of cargo, including motorcades, communications equipment, and Marine One. At the same time the wing conducted humanitarian airdrops, delivering 535.6 tons of aid, including 210,240 MREs and 54,720 bottles of water to help alleviate food shortages in Gaza. In addition, Joint Base Charleston became the staging base for Haiti support missions. Aircrews from Joint Base Charleston, McChord Air Force Base, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and Dover Air Force Base supported the operation, with the 437th AW flying 65 missions, 321 hours, transporting five million pounds of cargo and 1,176 passengers.