<p>Formed as the 24th Composite Wing (Special) in November 1942, the unit spent various periods of duty in Iceland and Puerto Rico before inactivating in July 1948. The unit reactivated at Albrook AFB, Canal Zone in November 1967 and changed to Air Commando Wing status five months later, with a further change to 24th Special Operations Wing during the summer of 1968. Moved to Howard AFB in January 1968 and downgraded to Group status in June 1972. The designation was changed to 24th Composite Group in November 1973 and upgraded to Wing standard in January 1976, when control passed from Southern Command to TAC. The unit employed a variety of aircraft types including the OA-37B, while hosting numerous AFRes and ANG fighter units on temporary duty. The attack role was exchanged for that of airlift when the OA-37Bs were withdrawn and replaced by C-130Hs, C-21As and a CT-43A. The wing is assigned the entire batch of Alenia C-27As.
