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This week in McGuire Air Force Base history

  • Published
  • By Gary Boyd
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing/87th Air Base Wing historian
This week is the 59th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War on 26 June 1950. The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron "Bully Beef Express" was stationed in Japan and flew missions from the beginning of the conflict from Tachikawa AB flying the C-54 Skymasters; later the 6th transitioned to the giant C-124 Globemaster II. The 6 TCS won nine combat awards and campaign streamers for its stellar work in the Korean War.

This week also marks the 60th anniversary of the activation of the 514th Troop Carrier Wing in the Air Force Reserve. Flying C-46 Commandos from Birmingham Airport, the wing moved to Mitchel AFB, NY that October. The 514th was activated for the Korean War and flew critical sorties in support of the war from 1951 to early 1953. 

The 514 TCW celebrated their 10th anniversary by winning the 1959 best Air Drop Team Award in Airlift Rodeo. They flew the C-119 Flying Boxcar from Michel AFB, NY during that era.