374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower U.S. Air Force Logo Aug. 17, 2023 374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower Photos of the 374th Airlift Wing (AW), past and present alike, are displayed throughout the enlisted club during the 374th AW’s 75th Birthday Luncheon, Aug. 16, 2023, on Yokota Air Base, Japan. The wing was first activated Aug. 17, 1978, under the command of Col. Charles K. Moore at Harmon Field, Guam as the 374th Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean) Details Download 374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower Members of the local community socialize during the 374th Airlift Wing’s (AW) 75th Birthday Luncheon at the enlisted club, Aug. 16, 2023 on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Guests from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, surrounding cities and Yokota all gathered together to celebrate the 75th birthday of the 374th AW while learning about the history of the wing itself and its units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean) Details Download 374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower A cake is presented during the 374th Airlift Wing’s (AW) 75th Birthday Luncheon at the enlisted club , Aug. 16, 2023, on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Today, the 374th AW is the primary airlift hub operating in Western Indo-Pacific, continuing the mission through agile airlift and support operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean) Details Download 374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing (AW) commander, welcomes attendees and thanks them for joining in the celebration of the 374th AW’s 75th Birthday at the enlisted club, Aug. 16, 2023, on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Starting in 1978, the wing has endured a plethora of changes, from mission changes to personnel growth and more, where it now celebrates its 75th birthday as the primary airlift hub operating in the Western Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean) Details Download 374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower Lesleigh Jones, 374th Airlift Wing (AW) historian, speaks about the history of the wing during the 374th AW’s 75th Birthday Luncheon at the enlisted club, Aug. 16, 2023, on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Starting in 1978, the wing has endured a plethora of changes, from mission changes to personnel growth and more, where it now celebrates its 75th birthday as primary airlift hub operating in the Western Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean) Details Download 374 AW celebrates 75th birthday of combat airpower Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th Airlift Wing (AW) commander, and Airman 1st Class Renny Rodriguez, 36th Airlift Squadron Aviation Resource Management technician, cut a birthday cake during the 374th AW’s 75th Birthday Luncheon at the Enlisted Club, Aug. 16, 2023, on Yokota Air Base, Japan. In military tradition, the wing’s youngest Airman in attendance helps slice the birthday cake, showcasing the heritage that passes between generations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean) Details Download Members of the Yokota community gathered at the enlisted club to celebrate the 374th Airlift Wing’s birthday, Aug. 16. Approximately 100 Airmen, guests from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and dignitaries from surrounding cities convened to celebrate, where Lesleigh Jones, 374th AW historian, gave a summary of the overall history of the wing and its evolution. “Over the course of 75 years, the wing has experienced many changes from inactivation, reactivation, personnel growth, and mission change,” said Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th AW commander. “Throughout the years, we have continued with our dedication to our mission and our partnership with our allied nation - Japan.” The 374th AW was established Aug. 10, 1948, and activated on Aug. 17, 1948 under the command of Col. Charles K. Moore at Harmon Airfield, Guam. Originally called the 374th Troop Carrier Wing, Heavy, the wing’s primary mission was to ferry troops around the Pacific. “During the Korean War, we performed combat airlift, airdrops, and aeromedical evacuations,” Jones said. “At armistice in 1953, members of the wing transported the first group of repatriated Prisoners of War from Korea to Japan.” Throughout the years, the wing has moved across the Indo-Pacific to different bases with varying missions before finally arriving at Yokota in 1992, where the 374th AW currently serves as the primary airlift and support operations hub in the Western Indo-Pacific. Members of various units also summarized the histories and evolutions of their respective units through those years. In military tradition, Roddan and Airman 1st Class Renny Rodriguez, 36th Airlift Squadron Aviation Resource Management technician, together sliced the birthday cake. The tradition showcases the heritage that passes between generations by having the wing’s youngest Airman in attendance help slice the birthday cake with either the wing commander or the oldest in attendance. “Today symbolizes 75 years of continued efforts made by the men and women of the 374th AW and their determination to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Roddan said. “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments and achievements the wing has experienced throughout the decades.”