Douglas C-54s of the wing's 60th Troop Carrier Group[note 1]
Active
1942–1948; 1954–1969; 2004–2010
Country
United States
Branch
United States Air Force
Type
Wing
Role
Airlift (1942-1948), Air defense warning and control (1954-1969) Development of air and ground electronic systems (2004-2010)
Motto(s)
Videre est Parari (Latin: "To See is to be Prepared")[1]
Engagements
Operation Husky; Operation Dragoon
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Insignia
551st Electronic Systems Wing emblem[2]
551 Airborne Early Warning & Control Wg emblem[note 2]
Military unit
The 51st Troop Carrier Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The wing was formed during World War II and was the first troop carrier wing in the Army Air Forces (AAF) organized for deployment overseas. During the war, it served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and its elements participated in every airborne assault in the theater. The wing also transported personnel and supplies within the theater. Its units also performed the majority of special operations flights by AAF units in the theater. Following V-E Day, the wing moved to Germany, where it became part of the occupation forces, operating as the European Air Transport Service until inactivating in January 1948. In August 1946, two of its planes were shot down by Yugoslav Air Force fighters near Yugoslavia's border with Austria and Italy.
In 1985, the wing was consolidated with the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, which provided airborne surveillance off the eastern coast of the United States from December 1954 through December 1969. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, this wing's aircraft provided air defense warning and control between Florida and Cuba. The consolidated unit remained inactive until it was consolidated with the Battle Management Systems Wing in 2006, with the unit receiving its most recent name, the 551st Electronic Systems Wing, a few days afterward. From 2004 to 2010, it was responsible for development of battle management systems.
Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).
^Ravenstein, pp. 285–286
^ abRobertson, Patsy (2 January 2008). "Factsheet 551 Electronic Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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