<p>The unit was established as the 403rd Troop Carrier Wing at Portland IAP, OR in June 1949, operating a mix of C-46s and trainers. The 403rd was mobilized in April 1951 and moved to Ashiya AB, Japan one year later, operating the VC-47, C-54 and C-119. The wing returned to Reserve service in January 1953, and moved to Selfridge AFB in November 1957. The designation changed to 403rd TAW in July 1967, then to 403rd Composite Wing in December 1969 with the A-37B, O-2A and U-3A assigned, before re-equipping with C-130As and reverting to 403rd TAW in July 1971. The 403rd became an Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Wing in March 1976 with the HC-130H(N), HH-1N and CH/HH-3C/E, with the WC-130B added when the unit became the 403rd Rescue & Weather Reconnaissance Wing in January 1977. The unit moved to Keesler AFB in 1984 and changed to 403rd TAW in 1987 with the assignment of the C-130E alongside the WC-130E/H. The 53rd WRS was reassigned from Air Mobility Command to the Reserves in November 1993.
