105th Airlift Wing
The 105th Airlift Wing is a New York Air National Guard unit based at Stewart Air National Guard Base that provides strategic airlift and expeditionary support.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The 105th Airlift Wing is a unit of the New York Air National Guard stationed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York. Its principal role is to provide trained personnel and operationally ready equipment for United States inter-theater airlift, expeditionary combat support, humanitarian relief, and other state or federal missions. When activated for federal service, the wing falls under the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. Its responsibilities extend well beyond aircraft operations: the organization includes aircrew and operations personnel, aircraft maintenance, logistics, transportation, contracting, communications, civil engineering, security, medical, personnel, financial, and base-support functions. The organization traces its federal recognition to 1 May 1956, when it was activated as the 105th Fighter Group (Air Defense) at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York. During the Cold War it initially focused on defending New York City and Long Island, operating F-94B Starfire interceptors through the 137th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. In 1958 the unit moved from an Air Defense Command orientation to a Tactical Air Command fighter mission and transitioned to F-86H Sabres, adding training in interception, air-to-ground rocketry, strafing, and tactical bombing. The wing's identity changed substantially in the 1960s. The fighter group was inactivated in 1961, while the 137th became an aeromedical transport and subsequently a heavy air transport squadron. C-119 Flying Boxcars were followed by C-97 Stratofreighters, which enabled worldwide missions for Military Air Transport Service, including scheduled and directed flights to Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Australia, and Southeast Asia. In 1966 the organization entered the Military Airlift Command era and flew missions connected with the Vietnam War as well as domestic training and support movements. In 1969 the unit shifted again, becoming a tactical air support organization equipped first with Cessna U-3 aircraft and then O-2A Super Skymasters. Its forward-air-control mission supported battlefield observation and training. During this period, personnel also supported the 1970 New York City postal strike after a presidential call-up. The unit later participated in an environmental-observation effort that used aerial photography to help local authorities identify potential water and stream pollution violations. The organization was upgraded to wing status in 1975, experienced further organizational changes, and relocated from Westchester County Airport to Stewart International Airport between 1982 and 1983. It was redesignated the 105th Military Airlift Group in 1984 and became the first Air National Guard unit to operate the C-5A Galaxy in 1985. The C-5 mission placed the unit in the strategic airlift system and supported disaster relief, military operations, overseas reconstruction, and long-distance movement of people and equipment. Examples included relief flights after hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Caribbean; earthquake assistance to Soviet Armenia; search-and-recovery support in Japan; and operations connected with Panama, the Persian Gulf, and Kurdish relief. During the 1990s the unit supported Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, humanitarian operations in the former Soviet Union, Hurricane Andrew relief, missions in Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, Croatia, Turkey, and other contingency environments. The modern wing structure was established on 1 October 1995 under the Air Force's one-base, one-wing policy, with the 137th Airlift Squadron assigned to the 105th Operations Group. Today the 105th Airlift Wing combines airlift operations with a broad expeditionary support structure, maintaining readiness for national defense, emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and state missions.
History
The 105th Airlift Wing began as the 105th Fighter Group (Air Defense), federally recognized and activated for the New York Air National Guard on 1 May 1956. Stationed at Westchester County Airport, the group was assigned to the 107th Air Defense Wing and tasked with protecting the New York City and Long Island area. Its 137th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron operated F-94B Starfire aircraft. In 1958 the group moved into a Tactical Air Command fighter role and the squadron transitioned to F-86H Sabres, with training expanded to interception, air-to-ground rocketry, strafing, and tactical bombing. The fighter-era structure ended in 1961. The 137th was transferred to an aeromedical transport organization and adopted the C-119 Flying Boxcar, carrying critically ill and injured personnel. In December 1963 it became a heavy air transport squadron and received C-97 Stratofreighters. These aircraft expanded the unit's reach across the Atlantic, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. After Military Air Transport Service became Military Airlift Command in 1966, the unit conducted missions supporting Southeast Asia, including Vietnam-related movements, as well as worldwide and domestic transport operations. In 1969 the organization became a tactical air support group. Its 137th squadron operated liaison and forward-air-control aircraft, moving from the Cessna U-3 to the O-2A Super Skymaster. The unit trained forward air controllers and maintained proficiency in battlefield observation. It also performed domestic support, including a 1970 call-up during the New York City postal strike. During the 1970s, the organization received recognition for flying performance and developed an aerial observation program that assisted local agencies investigating possible water and stream pollution violations. The unit was upgraded to wing status in June 1975, underwent additional group and wing realignments, and relocated from Westchester County Airport to Stewart International Airport during 1982–1983. The new location offered the runway and facilities needed for larger aircraft. On 1 May 1984 it became the 105th Military Airlift Group, and in 1985 it became the first Air National Guard unit to fly the C-5A Galaxy. Strategic airlift then became the defining mission. The unit moved relief supplies, engineering equipment, medical material, vehicles, personnel, and other cargo for hurricane recovery in the Caribbean, earthquake relief in Armenia, reconstruction in Jamaica, and search-and-recovery support in the Pacific. The late 1980s and early 1990s brought extensive contingency activity. The unit supported Operation Just Cause in Panama and transported large quantities of material during the Gulf crisis. It also responded to Hurricane Andrew and participated in humanitarian and peace-support missions in Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, Croatia, Turkey, Romania, Russia, Armenia, and elsewhere. Its aircraft and personnel supported Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort. In 1995 the modern 105th Airlift Wing structure was created under the Air Force's one-base, one-wing policy. The wing now combines the 137th Airlift Squadron and operations, maintenance, mission-support, base-defense, medical, communications, engineering, logistics, and administrative organizations to maintain readiness for strategic airlift, expeditionary combat support, emergency response, and humanitarian operations.
- 1995
Modern wing organization formed
[1]The 105th Airlift Wing was established on 1 October 1995 under the one-base, one-wing policy.
- 1985
First Air National Guard C-5A unit
[1]The organization became the first Air National Guard unit to fly the C-5A Galaxy.
- 1983
Relocation to Stewart
[1]The unit completed its relocation from Westchester County Airport to Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.
- 1975
Upgrade to wing status
[1]The organization was upgraded to the 105th Airlift Wing on 14 June 1975, although later structural changes followed.
- 1969
Change to tactical air support
[1]The organization became a tactical air support group and adopted O-2A forward-air-control aircraft.
- 1963
Conversion to heavy air transport
[1]The 137th was redesignated a heavy air transport squadron and received C-97 Stratofreighters.
- 1961
Beginning of the air-transport era
[1]The fighter group was inactivated and the 137th entered aeromedical and transport service, initially operating C-119 aircraft.
- 1958
Transition to tactical fighter operations
[1]The organization shifted from an air-defense mission to Tactical Air Command and expanded its fighter training program.
- 1956
Activation as an air-defense fighter group
[1]The 105th Fighter Group (Air Defense) was federally recognized and activated for the New York Air National Guard on 1 May 1956 at Westchester County Airport.
Products and positioning
A ready New York Air National Guard strategic-airlift and expeditionary-support organization serving state and federal missions.
Strategic airlift aircraft · 1985
C-5A Galaxy
The C-5A Galaxy became the wing's principal strategic-airlift platform after the unit transitioned to the aircraft in the mid-1980s. Its large capacity supported long-range movement of relief supplies, engineering equipment, vehicles, military cargo, and personnel for domestic emergencies and overseas operations.
Heavy transport aircraft · 1963
C-97 Stratofreighter
The C-97 Stratofreighter supported the unit's heavy air-transport mission from the early 1960s through the end of that decade. It enabled scheduled and directed Military Air Transport Command missions across multiple continents and supported movements connected with Southeast Asia.
Forward air control aircraft · 1969
O-2A Super Skymaster
The O-2A was operated during the unit's tactical air support period. Its mission was to train forward air controllers and conduct airborne observation in coordination with ground forward-air-control teams.
Marketing campaigns
- 1992Operation Provide Hope
Russia · Armenia · Former Soviet Union
The unit transported humanitarian relief materials to locations including Saint Petersburg and Yerevan.
Outcome. The operation delivered humanitarian supplies to communities affected by the post-Soviet crisis.
- 1992Hurricane Andrew relief
United States
The wing transported food, tents, mobile kitchens, vehicles, and emergency personnel to the Homestead area of South Florida.
Outcome. The airlift supported emergency response and recovery after the hurricane.
- 1992Operation Restore Hope
Somalia
The unit provided humanitarian airlift into Somalia, moving supplies and passengers for the international relief effort.
Outcome. The wing continued supporting the operation with large-scale cargo and personnel movements.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Persian Gulf region
Personnel and aircraft were activated to provide strategic airlift during the Gulf crisis and subsequent war.
Outcome. The 137th remained involved through continuing airlift requirements and related relief operations after the formal conflict.
- 1989Operation Just Cause
Panama
The wing used its C-5 fleet to transport cargo in support of the United States operation in Panama.
Outcome. The unit's reported cargo contribution represented a substantial share of the initial Military Airlift Command C-5 effort.
- 1970New York City Postal Strike support
United States
Members were called to active duty for several days to help sort and deliver mail during the New York City postal strike.
Outcome. The unit completed its assigned postal-support duties and personnel received recognition through an adjustment to their active reserve commitment.
Recent events
- 1995
105th Airlift Wing established under the one-base, one-wing structure[1]
Other
The 105th Airlift Wing was established on 1 October 1995, with the 137th Airlift Squadron assigned to its Operations Group.
- 1990
105th supports Operation Desert Shield and related Gulf missions[1]
Other
Personnel and C-5A aircraft were activated for direct support of Operation Desert Shield, with continuing airlift activity during Desert Storm and Provide Comfort.
- 1985
Strategic airlift response to Hurricane Gloria[1]
Other
The unit transported cots and bedding to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Gloria, demonstrating its newly established C-5A strategic-airlift capability.
Sources2 sources
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