<p>The 437th Troop Carrier Wing was formed at Chicago-Orchard Airport, IL (later Chicago-O'Hare IAP) in June 1949 with C-46s. The wing was ordered to active service in August 1950 at Shaw AFB until it returned to Reserve service in June 1952 at Chicago. While mobilized, the 437th was stationed in Japan. The wing operated C-119s until inactivated in June 1952. The 437th was redesignated a Military Airlift Wing to replace the 1608th ATW in January 1966, equipped with the C-124C and C-130E, although the arrival of the C-141A in 1966 resulted in the other two types being relocated elsewhere. Three squadrons were operated initially and were joined by a fourth in 1973. The unit was redesignated 437th AW in September 1991, and was selected as the first operational wing to receive the C-17A, with the 17th AS completing conversion with 12 aircraft at the end of 1994. The 14th AS began receiving the C-17A during early 1995.
