History
Established and activated as the 50th Transport Wing on 14 January 1941. Was a major training organization for I Troop Carrier Command, 1942-1943, training subordinate units in the United States prior to overseas deployment.
In October 1943, became a command and control organization for IX Troop Carrier Command, Ninth Air Force in England. Subordinate units began training for the invasion of continental Europe. This training involved airdropping paratroops and towing gliders.
In June 1944, subordinate units dropped paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy, subsequently flying numerous missions to bring in reinforcements and needed supplies. During the airborne attack on The Netherlands (Operation Market Garden, September 1944), the 50th dropped paratroops, towed gliders, and flew resupply missions. Several of its subordinate units also participated in the invasion of southern France in August 1944. The 50th supported the 101st Airborne Division in the Battle of the Bulge by towing gliders full of supplies near Bastogne on 27 December 1944. In addition, its units participated in the air assault across the Rhine River in early 1945 and later flew numerous freight missions to carry gasoline, food, medicine, and other supplies to allied ground forces pushing across Germany.
Returned to the United States in March 1946, became subordinate organization of new Tactical Air Command with responsibility for the theater transport (Troop Carrier) mission. Inactivated 31 July 1946.
On 1 September 1959, the USAF redesignated the wing as the 50th Air Division; however, the division was never activated.
Read more about this topic: 50th Air Division
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