1707th Air Transport Wing

The wing was organized as the 1707th Air Base Wing in 1951 at Palm Beach Air Force Base, Florida when Military Air Transport Service (MATS) reopened the base.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/491/036.xml Abstract History Continental Division, MATS Jul–Dec 1951] Retrieved 24 December 2013 Palm Beach was a joint civil-military facility with Palm Beach International Airport. The wing's 1707th Air Transport Group was its operational unit until the wing was redesignated the 1707th Air Transport Wing. The wing's first main activity was the rehabilitation of buildings to resume military operations.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/460/040.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Base Wing Mar–Apr 1952] Retrieved 24 December 2013

In addition to operating the active Air Force portion of Palm Beach, the mission of 1707th was training USAF personnel on operation and maintenance of MATS heavy-lift transports. Known as the "University of MATS",[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/855.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jul–Dec 1960] Retrieved 25 December 2013 training included Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, Douglas C-118 Liftmaster, Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, and Douglas C-54 Skymaster maintenance training along with aircrew and transition pilot training.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/460/037.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Base Wing Nov–Dec 1951] Retrieved 24 December 2013 The wing later added Boeing C-135 training to its curriculum.See [https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/861.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jul–Dec 1963] Retrieved 24 December 2013 Nearly 23,000 airmen were trained at Palm Beach Air Force Base. Until 1959 the wing also trained Grumman SA-16 Albatross crews for MATS' Air Rescue Service, and until 1962, Boeing WB-50D Superfortress crews for MATS' Air Weather Service.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/859.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jul–Dec 1962] The United States Navy also maintained a Transport Training Unit that was attached to the wing until 1963.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/860.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jan–Jul 1963] Retrieved 24 December 2013

The wing moved to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma in June 1959[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/850.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jul–Dec 1959] Retrieved 24 December 2013 due to urban encroachment and local opposition to military presence at the airport. It received the first Lockheed C-141 Starlifter aircraft in 1964 and expanded its training mission to include Starlifter operation and maintenance.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/863.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jul–Dec 1964] Retrieved 24 December 2013 In addition to the training mission, the 1707th maintained a state of readiness to airlift armed forces personnel and equipment, including medical evacuation[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/865.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jan–Jun 165] Retrieved 24 December 2013 in the event of national emergencies.

In 1961 the wing earned trophies from MATS for having the best ground and flying safety programs in MATS.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/858.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jan–Jun 1962] Retrieved 24 December 2013 Its safety record also earned it an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award that year.[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/856.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jan–Jun 1961] Retrieved 24 December 2013 The wing was discontinued on 8 January 1966, and its equipment and personnel were reassigned to the 443d Military Airlift Wing, which was activated the same date.Because this was a transition from a Major Command controlled (MAJCON) unit to an Air Force controlled (AFCON) unit, the 443d wing is entitled to the honors (but not the lineage) of the 1707th wing.

• Designated as the 1707th Air Base Wing and organized on 1 September 1951

: Redesignated 1707th Air Transport Wing (Training) on 1 May 1954

: Redesignated 1707th Air Transport Wing, Heavy (Training) on 20 September 1954

: Discontinued on 8 January 1966

• Continental Division, Military Air Transport Service (later Western Transport Air Force), 1 September 1951[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/491/060.xml Abstract, History Western Transport Air Force, Jul–Dec 1958] Retrieved 23 December 2013
• Military Air Transport Service, c. 1959 – 8 January 1966

• 1707th Air Base Group, 21 September 1951 – c. 30 June 1959[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/438/793.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Base Group Nov–Dec 1951] Retrieved 24 December 2013
• 1707th Air Transport Group, 21 September 1951 – 1 September 1953[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/460/044.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Base Wing Jul–Dec 1953] Retrieved 24 December 2013
• 1707th Maintenance & Supply Group, 24 October 1951 – 1 September 1953[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/441/992.xml Abstract, History 1707 Maintenance & Supply Group Nov–Dec 1951] Retrieved 23 December 2013See [https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/441/994.xml Abstract, History 1707 Maintenance & Supply Group Mar–Apr 1952] Retrieved 23 December 2013
• 1707th Medical Group[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/443/298.xml Abstract, History 1707th Medical Group Nov–Dec 1951] Retrieved 24 December 2013 (later 1707th USAF Hospital), 21 September 1951 – c. 30 June 1959

• 1707th Maintenance Squadron[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/424/306.xml Abstract, History 1707 Maintenance Squadron Jan–Feb 1952] Retrieved 24 December 2013 (later 1707th Field Maintenance Squadron), 1 September 1953 – 1 June 1959[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/839.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing, Jul–Dec 1955] Retrieved 24 December 2013See Mueller, pp. 545–551
• 1707th Student Squadron (later 1707th Technical Training Squadron), 1 September 1954 – c. 30 June 1957
• 1707th Supply Squadron, 1 September 1953 – 1 June 1959
• 1709th Training Squadron (later 1709th Technical Training Squadron), 1 September 1954 – 30 June 1959[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/842.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jan–Jun 1957] Retrieved 24 December 2013
• 1707th Support Squadron, 21 January 1963 – 1 April 1964
• 1740th Air Transport Squadron (Transition Training Unit), 1 September 1953 – 8 January 1966
• 1741st Air Transport Squadron (Transition Training Unit), 1 September 1953 – 8 January 1966
• 1742d Air Transport Squadron (Transition Training Unit), 1 March 1956 – 1 January 1960[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/840.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing, Jan–Jun 1956] Retrieved 24 December 2013
• 2156th Air Rescue Squadron (Transition Training Unit) (later 1707th Training Squadron (Amphibious), 1707th Flying Training Squadron (Amphibious)), 20 July 1952 – c. 31 March 1959[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/492/384.xml Abstract, History 2156 Air Rescue Squadron (TTU) Apr–Jul 1952] Retrieved 24 December 2013
• 565th Air Force Band, 1954 – 8 February 1958 (not manned after 28 January 1958)[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/837.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jul–Dec 1954] Retrieved 24 December 2013[https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/495/844.xml Abstract, History 1707 Air Transport Wing Jan–Jun 1958] Retrieved 24 December 2013

• Palm Beach Air Force Base, Florida, 16 September 1951
• Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 1 June 1959 – 8 January 1966{{cite book|last=Mueller|first=Robert|title=Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982|url= https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330255/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-026.pdf |year=1989|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-53-6|pages=545–551}}

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• Boeing WB-50 Superfortress
• Douglas C-54 Skymaster
• Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter
• Douglas C-118 Liftmaster

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• Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
• Boeing C-135
• Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, 1964–1966
• Grumman SA-16 Albatross, 1952–1959

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{{unit awards table

|award_image1=AF OUA

|award_name1=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date1=1 January 1961-31 December 1961

|award_notes1=1707th Air Transport Wing{{cite web |url= http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol1Bk2.pdf |title= AF Pamphlet 900-2, Unit Decorations, Awards and Campaign Participation Credits |date=15 June 1971|publisher= Department of the Air Force|location= Washington, DC|page=501|access-date=11 August 2016}}

}}

List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force

{{reflist|2}}

{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

• {{cite book|last=Mueller|first=Robert|title=Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982|url= https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330255/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-026.pdf |year=1989|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-53-6}}
• [http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol1.pdf AF Pamphlet 900-2, Unit Decorations, Awards and Campaign Participation Credits]{{dead link|date=August 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Department of the Air Force, Washington, DC, 15 June 1971

Further reading

• {{cite book|last=Ulanoff|first=Stanley M.|title=MATS: The Story of the Military Air Transport Service|year=1964|publisher=Franklin Watts, Inc.|location=New York, NY|isbn=978-1-19908-768-3}}

Category:Air transport wings of the United States Air Force

Category:Military units and formations in Oklahoma

Category:Military units and formations in Florida

Category:Major command controlled wings of the United States Air Force

Category:Military units and formations established in 1951

Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1966

Category:1951 establishments in the United States