About this Unit
The 516th Troop Carrier Group was an airlift unit of the United States Air Force, activated during World War II in 1944. Initially assigned to the I Troop Carrier Command, the group trained with C-47 Skytrains and was prepared for operations in the European Theater, but the war ended before it saw overseas combat. Reactivated during the Korean War, the group operated C-119 Flying Boxcars, providing vital airlift and resupply missions throughout the Korean Peninsula. The 516th was inactivated in 1953 as part of a broader reorganization of Air Force airlift units.
Historical Facts
• World War II Formation: The 516th Troop Carrier Group was activated on 23 October 1944 at RAF Cheddington, England, playing a key role in air transport operations during the final months of World War II.
• Primary Mission: The group’s main objective was to provide airlift support using C-47 Skytrain aircraft, transporting troops, supplies, and equipment throughout the European Theater of Operations.
• Operation Varsity: The 516th participated in Operation Varsity in March 1945, the largest airborne assault in history conducted on a single day and in one location, supporting the Allied crossing of the Rhine River.
• Distinguished Unit: The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its exemplary performance in combat operations, particularly during the airborne operations over Germany.
• Postwar Humanitarian Airdrops: After the German surrender, the 516th was involved in humanitarian missions, delivering food and essential supplies to liberated and war-torn areas across Europe.
• Return to the US: The unit returned to the United States in August 1945 and was inactivated at Baer Field, Indiana, as part of the postwar drawdown.
• Cold War Reactivation: The 516th was reactivated in the Reserve in 1949 at Memphis Municipal Airport, Tennessee, as tensions rose during the early Cold War era.
• Korean War Mobilization: In 1951, the 516th was mobilized for the Korean War, operating with C-46 Commando aircraft to provide crucial airlift and logistical support for U.S. forces.
• Final Inactivation: The group was inactivated in April 1953 as part of a broader restructuring of Air Force Reserve troop carrier units.
• Legacy: The 516th Troop Carrier Group’s lineage is preserved today by the 516th Air Mobility Wing, highlighting the enduring impact of its contributions to U.S. airlift and mobility operations.
