1700th Air Transport

• Origins in World War II: The 1700th Air Transport Group traces its roots to WWII air transport operations, although it was formally designated after the war. • Activation: The 1700th Air Transport Group was officially activated in 1947 as part of the United States Air Force’s Military Air Transport Service (MATS). • Kelly Air Force Base: The group was based at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, a major hub for logistics and air transport in the postwar period. • Role in Berlin Airlift: While not directly involved, many of its personnel and aircraft types supported the historic 1948–49 Berlin Airlift through logistics and training. • Aircraft Operated: The 1700th operated a variety of aircraft, including the C-54 Skymaster, C-97 Stratofreighter, and later the C-124 Globemaster II. • Training Mission: It had a vital mission training pilots, navigators, and flight engineers for large transport aircraft used by MATS. • Global Reach: The unit’s aircraft flew missions across the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific, helping establish the USAF’s global airlift capabilities. • Korean War Support: During the Korean War, the 1700th Air Transport Group provided crucial airlift support for personnel, equipment, and medical evacuation. • Disbandment: The group was inactivated in 1957 as part of a major reorganization of USAF airlift and training units. • Legacy: The 1700th Air Transport Group’s lineage, personnel, and traditions influenced later USAF airlift and training organizations, notably within Air Mobility Command.