513th Airborne Command & Control Wing

• Origins in World War II: The 513th traces its lineage back to World War II, originally activated as the 513th Troop Carrier Group in 1944, supporting airborne operations in the European Theater. • Operation Varsity: The unit participated in Operation Varsity, the largest single-day airborne operation in history, crossing the Rhine River in March 1945. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The 513th earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its performance during the airborne assault on Holland in Operation Market Garden. • Post-War Inactivation and Reactivation: After World War II, the unit was inactivated, only to be reactivated several times during the Cold War in varying roles and locations. • Transition to Command & Control: In 1996, the 513th was redesignated as the 513th Airborne Command and Control Group, reflecting its new mission supporting the E-3 Sentry (AWACS) operations. • Integration with the 552nd ACW: The 513th serves as a classic associate unit to the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, integrating active duty and reserve personnel. • First Reserve AWACS Unit: The 513th was the first Air Force Reserve unit to fly and maintain the E-3 Sentry, a critical airborne warning and control aircraft. • Global Deployments: The wing has deployed in support of major operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and various NATO missions. • Humanitarian Missions: The unit has also participated in humanitarian missions, providing airborne command and control during natural disasters and civil emergencies. • Modernization and Training: Today, the 513th continues to train and equip aircrew and maintenance personnel, ensuring readiness for both combat and peacetime missions alongside its active duty counterparts.