The unit was formed as the 439th Troop Carrier Wing in May 1949 at Selfridge AFB, MI with trainers including the TC-46. The wing was mobilized in April 1951 and redesignated the 439th Fighter-Bomber Wing in May 1952 with the C-46 and T-28, and later the F-51, T-33, F-80, F-84 and F-86. The 439th returned to Reserve service in June 1952 and inactivated in November 1957. The wing was reformed as the 439th TAW at Westover AFB, MA in March 1974, operating the C-123K and C-130B. The C-130B was replaced by C-130E model in 1982 before the unit was redesignated 439th MAW in 1987 with the assignment of the C-5A. The unit was mobilized for Desert Shield/Desert Storm operations late 1990/early 1991.