C-130 News: Casing Honor: 440th Airlift Wing Inactivates

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440th Airlift Wing members, Airmen from around the country, soldiers and community members gathered together yesterday to honor generations of 440th Airmen and pay tribute to the legacy of the Air Force's third oldest unit, the Air Force Reserve's 440th AW, at its inactivation ceremony, September 18.

Though members of the 440th Airlift Wing have been planning and arranging for the closure of the wing's doors for months, little could truly prepare those gathered for the emotional ceremony; the heavy fog of both pride and sadness that would accompany the furling of the 440th Airlift Wing's flag.

"I am honored to have spent my entire career with the 440th Airlift Wing," said Master Sgt. Thomas Yurchak, guideon for the 440th Airlift Wing's Logistics Readiness Squadron during the ceremony. "To case our flags was of course difficult, but I am filled with pride in the legacy of our wing and thankful that will be here until its very last day."

22nd Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. John Stokes, officiated the historic inactivation. In his remarks, Stokes celebrated both the history and achievements of the outstanding wing.

"To all 440th AW members, past and present, please accept my sincere appreciation for all you've done to accomplish your mission," said Stokes. "Since the 440th was first activated in 1943, you have been in the fight, supporting Combatant Commanders around the world. You have provided the United States military with operational capability, strategic depth and the capacity to surge quickly when needed. Even though we case your colors today, we can never erase all that you have accomplished in the defense of our nation!"

Since its inception, the Airmen of the 440th AW have been at the forefront of airlift support for the mission of the United States. In 1944, the first members of the 440th AW prepared for their first operational airdrop, here at Pope Army Airfield, practicing with actual paratroopers from the 82nd and 17th Airborne Divisions, and other elements of the 18th Airborne Corps. Working together with these organizations, the 440th made history just a few months later, dropping American paratroopers behind the landing beaches of Omaha and Utah in Normandy, France, in the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Following the formal surrender of the Axis powers in 1945, the 440th AW continued to provide air support for missions around the world, simultaneously moving homes from Minneapolis, to Milwaukee, circling back to its first practice field of Pope Army Airfield for its final chapter in 2007. 

From June 2007 to September 2016, the 440th AW has continued to honor its history by remaining steadfast in its commitment to service and always being prepared. 440th Airmen worked hard creating strong bonds with their Joint partners of Fort Bragg and continuously delivered top-notch airlift support to all services requiring airlift both for training and real world missions. Flying a fleet of C-130H Hercules Aircraft, the 440th AW dropped more than 102,000 paratroopers, carried 3,371,497 pounds of cargo and flew more than 27,000 hours supporting operations such as Coronet Oak, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, Unified Response and Inherent Resolve.

During his final words to his Airmen, Commander of the 440th AW, Col. Karl Schmitkons, discussed his pride in the wing, emphasizing the exceptional character Airmen of the 440th hold.

"The wing's accomplishments are a direct reflection of the truly outstanding Airmen that have filled the ranks of the 440th over the years.  A wing's designation is really just a number and some letters on a piece of paper on file somewhere.  The real wing itself is its Airmen," stated Schmitkons.

For 73 years, the Airmen of the 440th Airlift Wing have woven together a legacy of valor, strength in character and relentlessness in the face of adversity. Side by side, from generation to generation, our members have successfully served the United States of America, in times of both peace and war. Though the 440th flag retired at Pope Army Airfield on September 18, 2016, its legacy of honor and the fabric of the 440th family will live on.

Source: http://www.pope.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123476086

 

 

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