The tail flash for the 440th Airlift Wing encompasses the wing's rich and successful history; its early history at Ft. Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, and units of the 18th Airborne Corps that dates back to December 1943; and the wing's commitment  to continued excellence at its new home in North Carolina.

	UNIT EMBLEM This classic emblem comes from the 440th's origin as the 440th Troop Carrier Group (TCG), a component of the U.S. Troop Carrier Command which was formed in 1942. The 440th TCG made Pope Field its home for the first time on Dec. 17, 1943. Shrtly after, the Pope-based 440th would join with the 82nd Airborne Division and other elements of the 18th Airborne Corps at neighboring Ft. Bragg in preparation for the 1944 Allied offensive in Europe.
	INVASION STRIPES During WWII, alternating black and white "Invasion stripes" were painted on the wings and around the fuselages of the 440th C-47s to reduce the risk of friendly fire incidents just before takeoff on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Carrying elements of the 101st Airborne Division, 18th Airborne Corps, 45 C-47s from the 440th TCG launched their first mission from Exeter Field, England, to Normandy, France in support of Operation NEPTUNE BIGOT. During the next 13 months, the 440th TCG joined with many of the 18th Airborne Corps' finest to play a key role in Operation MARKET GARDEN and numerous other pivotal missions across France, Italy, Holland and Germany.
	BRAGG-POPE The 440th's return to Ft.Bragg and Pope AFB reminds us of the wing's long history wand grand heritage. The bold "Bragg-Pope" label across the tail flash clearly states our pride in where we are based, and our commitment to our primary mission - supporting the U.S. Army and Ft. Bragg. Ft. Bragg and Pope AFB are joined in name on the map, and by their mutually supporting missions. Because of Ft. Bragg, there is a need for Pope AFB.
	OUTLINE of the STATE of NORTH CAROLINA Honors the home of the 440th Airlift Wing and our Total Force partners at Ft. Bragg.
	BLUE & GOLD BANDS Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, expertise, trust, loyalty, wisdon, confidence and the vast skies i which we demonstrat these qualities. Golden Rod comes from the Latin word "Solido," which means to make whole or stengthen - a true representation of the strength and capability gained by combining reserve and active duty talent into one Reserve-Active association wing. These colors appear tin the Troop Carrier and the 440th Airlft Wing emblems and the unit patches worn by the 2nd Airlft Squadron (Active Associate) and the 95th Airlift Squadron (Reserve unit).