The unit was established as the 419th Troop Carrier Wing at Scott AFB in June 1949, flying C-46s and a variety of trainer types until May 1951, when it was inactivated. The wing was reformed as the 419th TFW at Hill AFB in October 1982 with the F-105D/F operated until January 1984, when the 419th converted to F-16A/B as first the Fighting Falcon unit in the AFRes. The wing won the Gunsmoke competition at Nellis AFB in 1987.