440th Airlift Wing heritage and the CG-4 glider

Designed by the Waco Aircraft Company, CG-4A flight testing began in May 1942, and eventually more than 13,900 CG-4As were delivered. (Photo courtesy of Air Space Museum)

Combat Airlifter insert features C-47 from wing’s rich history

The legacy of the “SNAFU SPECIAL” is preserved for future generations thanks to the heart and hands of a few and the hearts and donations of many. Answering our nation’s call at a critical moment, the “SNAFU SPECIAL” was an instrumental tool used in the liberation of Europe during World War II while assigned to the 440th Troop Carrier Group, 95th Troop Carrier Squadron. Launched from Pope Army Airfield in 1941 for the first combat operations during D-Day and carrying on through today’s global contingencies, the 440th Airlift Wing and 95th Airlift Squadron continue the original mission of responding to the operational needs of the United States, our allies, and coalition forces throughout the world. The C-47 is a proud link of our unit’s history as we currently fly its spiritual descendent, the C-130H2 Hercules, at Pope Air Force Base attached to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Fort Bragg continues to be the home of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division which serve as a strategic crisis response forces, manned and trained to deploy rapidly by air, sea, and land. The 440th provides the capability to place these forces anywhere in the world, prepared to fight and win upon arrival. The traditions of honor and the legacies of valor forged in blood to be forever heralded by those who flew the “SNAFU SPECIAL” continues to this day as the 440th Airlift Wing and the 95th Airlift Squadron proudly put the “Air” in Airborne!

The EC-130H Compass Call

The EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne tactical weapon system using a modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. This graphic was created by Billy Smallwood and is 5x10 inches @ 300 ppi.

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USAF C-130H2 B/W 3/4