Military Air Transport Service

src: cdn.planespotters.net

For current live commands, see Air Mobility Command

Military Air Transport Service ( MATS ) is the Unified Defense Department's Unified Command. Enabled on June 1, 1948, MATS is a consolidation of the Navy's United States Navy Transportation Service (NATS) and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command (ATC) into a joint command. It was deactivated and discontinued on 8 January 1966 when the Air Force and Military Airlift Command (MAC) as a separate strategic air freight order and returned ground-based Navy cargo aircraft to Navy control as an airlift operational aircraft (OSA).

In 1966, the World War II Air Transport Command (ATC) (1942-1948) and the Air Transportation Service of the Military were consolidated with the Military Fly Command (MAC) (1966-1992).

Video Military Air Transport Service

Overview

The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) is activated under United States Air Force Major General Laurence S. Kuter, to make more efficient use of interservice efforts. It was an amalgamation of the Navy and Army air transport command, jointly deployed by the Department of Defense under the control of the newly formed United States Air Force (USAF) as a unified command.

During World War II, Air Force Air Force air transport requirements were carried out by Air Transport Command which has a dual function of transporting new aircraft from factory to combat theater and troop and supply transport, also organized by Tunner. The Naval Air Transportation Service is focused on supporting Navy and Marine personnel deployed to transport essential cargoes, specialist personnel, and letters to the Fleet and ground forces, especially in the area of â€‹â€‹advanced operations.

MATS is the first Joint-Service command and Naval aircrews participate in every major airlift MATS operation. MATS will organically be under the Air Force Department, as most ATC equipment and personnel have been inherited by the Air Force with inactivation from USAAF.

During the Berlin Airlift, the Navy's aviator flew a transport plane from the United States to a European supply depot; in the Korean War, the MATS Navy Squadrons flew about 17,000 fighting casualties. In the original organization, Rear Admiral led the MATS Pacific Division and other rear admirals acted as MATS commander representatives. During the reorganization of 1958, senior officers of the Navy were on the staff of both EASTAF and WESTAF commanders, and at MATS Headquarters.

In 1965, conflicting views of the Air Force and the Navy fueled by the demands of the Vietnam War caused services to return to separate air-carrier orders. In turn, MATS was dissolved and replaced in the Air Force by Military Assistance Command, during the 1966 restructuring.

Maps Military Air Transport Service

History

Origins

With the end of World War II, the Air Force Air Transport Command found itself in a limbo state. USAAF senior authorities consider ATC as an unnecessary need for wartime, and expect its civilian personnel, including former aircraft pilots, to return to their peacetime occupation. ATC Senior Officials, on the other hand, think that ATC should be developed into a national government-operated airline, an idea strongly opposed by the aviation industry. While the war has steadily established the need for a troop mission, most military officers believe that the role performed by the ATC must be provided by contract operators.

When the United States Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947, the Air Transport Command was not established as one of its main orders. The ATC commander and his staff took it to convince the new civilian leadership of the newly created Department of Defense (DOD) (and the Secretary of the Army and Air Force) that ATC has a mission. They captured testimony by Commander Major General Paul L. Williams's Army Force Majority Commander Air Force that the Air Force should have the ability to deploy long-range troops, and began advocating that ATC transport could be used to deploy troops. Williams has been urging for the development of long-haul troop carriers when he makes his remarks.

DOD believes it must have its own air transport service and decide that ATC should be Military Air Transport Service (MATS), supported by the Air Force, although not registered as a formal military mission. Also, as a measure of cost savings, MATS will combine Air Transportation Command resources with those of the Naval Air Transport Service. In this way the command will be approved by the Department of Defense, and not by the Air Force or the Navy.

Although MATS is under the operational control of the United States Air Force, the United States Navy is a full partner in command and operational components of the organization. The main component of MATS is the air force transport squadron (VR). VR-3 and VR-6 were assigned to McGuire AFB and VR-22 assigned to Naval Air Transport Station at Naval Station Norfolk/Chambers Field, Virginia. Together they formed the Navy Air Transport Association MATS EASTAF, Atlantic. On the Pacific Coast, the Sea Air Transport Wing, Pacific, consists of the VR-7 Air Transport Squadron and VR-8 Maintenance Squadron, both at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California. The release of VR-7 is also deployed at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan.

Aviator flight MATS flight scheduled to Newfoundland, Iceland, Scotland, West Germany, Italy, Puerto Rico and Africa. In the Pacific, aviation aviators of MATS fly to all MATS stations from Hawaii to Japan to South Vietnam, Bangkok, India and to Saudi Arabia.

Air Force pilots fly MATS Navy aircraft, just as naval aviators can be found driving a MATS Aircraft transport aircraft.

Organization

During World War II, USAAF Air Transport Command provided transportation services worldwide to every continent in the world. Inheriting the legacy, MATS continues the service and organizes it into three major transportation divisions;

Atlantic Division (after 1 July 1958: EASTAF) - From McGuire AFB, New Jersey, provides services across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe; to the Caribbean and South America; to North Africa and Middle East to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Pacific Division (after 1 July 1958: WESTAF) - From Travis AFB, California, provides services to Hawaii and to locations in the Pacific, including Japan and the Philippines; throughout Southeast Asia; India; Pakistan and continue to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Continental Division - From McGuire to a point in Northern Canada; along the North Atlantic coast to the north to Thule AB, Greenland. From Travis north to McChord AFB, Washington, then north to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, then connect to Tachikawa AB, Japan from Shemya AFS. Also provided aeromedical aeromedical flight from coast to coast in the United States and a cargo service between the main depot of Air Force Air Materiel Command. The division was dissolved on 1 July 1958, with a mission split between Eastern Transport Air Force (EASTAF) and Western Transport Air Force (WESTAF).

When MATS is established, it is also responsible for several other missions:

Custom Air Mission (SAM)

The Special Air Mission is the transportation of the President of the United States; Vice President; Cabinet Member; Congressman; Senator, and appointed other person, such as Head of Foreign Country.

Air Rescue Service (ARS)

Provide rescue of members of the military service that falls in the occupied territory; humanitarian assistance to civilians in emergency conditions (floods, hurricanes, earthquakes)

Air Weather Service (ARS)

Weather forecast for military airfield; storm hunters.

Water Photography and Service Charting (APCS)

Mapping the world provides accurate air charts for military aviators wherever they need them. Also produces all Air Force training films; film public relations; news monthly, and coordinate with private filmmakers with regards to the use of Air Force equipment and facilities.

Aeromedical Transport Wing (AMTW)

Evacuate wounded military personnel from combat zone; transportation of critically ill military personnel (and dependents) to military medical facilities for treatment.

Air Delivery and Communication Service (ARCS)

Performs unconventional war missions during the Korean War and early years of the Cold War (1950-1956).

Primary operations

Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)

MATS was established on June 1, 1948, less than a month before the start of Airlift Berlin - "OPERATION VITTLES" where at peak operations, the aircraft landed and departed every ninety seconds or more in thousands of tons of supplies, food and fuel every day - but they were not MATS aircraft. The Soviet Union has blocked all surface transport in western Berlin. The railroads were destroyed, the barges stopped in the river, and the highways and roads were blocked. The only way left is through the air. On June 26, 1948, the airlift began. Transport of troop carriers from around the world began to walk to Germany, where they were assigned to the United States Air Force, Europe. Squadrons are transferred remotely like Hawaii and Japan, and include two US Navy air transport squadrons assigned to MATS. MATS itself is not "responsible" for air transport, although some staff of MATS staff are sent to Germany to serve in the Aircraft Handling Group in an administrative role. Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner was placed in command of the entire air freight operation, reporting to the commander of the United States Air Force, Europe. Airlift itself is a USAFE operation and all aircraft assigned to it are assigned to one of five troop carriers deployed to Europe to operate the transport. MATS plays a supporting role, including transporting the C-54 to and from the air base and maintenance depots in the United States and the MATS C-54 training school trains pilots for temporary duty on airlift. Transport MATS sends important aircraft parts to air base in Europe. This operation will continue for 15 months until the Soviets lift the blockade. MATS will provide a lot of air freight from global proportions. The US Navy is an integral part of MATS, providing five transport squadrons for joint service efforts, but they operate under USAFE when they become part of airlift.

Korean War (1950-1953)

The next major test organization bootstrap supply operation supporting UN forces under Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the country of South Korea were almost overpowered by the current UN forces mobilized. MATS is a purely logistical role, and is operated from the United States to Japan. Theater transport troops assigned to the Air Cargo Command Far East, the 315 Airborne Division, operate these supplies to Japan and provide forces troops to the UN force.

Suez, Lebanon, and the Taiwan Straits Crisis (1956 - 1958)

During the Suez Crisis of 1956, MATS MATS flew 1,300 troops from BogotÃƒÆ'Ã‚Â¡ Colombia and India and Agra to the UN staging place in Naples, Italy, to complement the UN police force in the Suez region. In 1958, MATS flew 5,500 tons of cargo and 5,400 troops to the Middle East to support the Lebanese government, also supported the Air Force Composite TAC to the area. Also in 1958, 144 fly MATS trip transportation to the Far East when a crisis arises in the Formosa Strait, supporting the movement of the Composite Air Force attack, and the squadron flew F-104 Starfighters to Taiwan.

Operation Deep Freeze (1957-1963)

In December 1962, MATS Douglas C-124 Globemasters ended a six-year seasonal flight when members of the Air Force-Navy team supplied a scientific station in Antarctica. During that time, the aircraft operated by the 63d Troop Force Brigade stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base, South Carolina, dropped some 4,000 tons of supplies from Antarctica's main base at McMurdo Sound to remote stations near and at the South Pole. Beginning in 1963, Lockheed C-130E Hercules, newer, faster, and longer range, took the MATS part of the mission. The C-124 performance in the cold Antarctic reinforces the concept of air freight flexibility by conducting in several weeks (every year) jobs that will take surface transport several months. During the Deep Freeze III, C-124 air dropped a seven-ton tractor to a remote location, and during Deep Freeze 62 (October-December 1961), three C-124s made the longest flight in Antarctic history, as far as 3,100 miles round trip to stock catwalks. Also during Deep Freeze 62, Lieutenant General Joe W. Kelly became the first MATS commander to visit the operation. MATS Deputy Commander, Major General Raymond J. Reeves, visited Deep Freeze 63.

The Berlin Crisis (1961)

As a result of the construction of the Berlin Wall and the end of free crossings to and from their occupied zone of Berlin, over 100 MATS = aircraft from EASTAF and WESTAF participated in the deployment of American troops from the United States to West Germany and France.

When the Reserve Force was called for active duty in October 1961, airlift MATS forces and technical units provided support for their movement to Europe. Operation Step Ladder is the name given to the deployment of Air National Guard units fighter abroad to the NATO base in France, and Operation High Top is re-deployment, June-August 1962. At High Top, for example, over 260 missions are flown by MATS aircraft of all types, including C-97 that has been called for active duty. The aircraft restored more than 9,600 personnel of ANG and 1,400 tons of equipment.

In addition, the 101st Airborne Division was flown from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to a location in Turkey. About 2,000 personnel and 900 tons of equipment flown (Checkmate Training II). During the exercise, about 300 MATS translators and officers stayed in tents for about three weeks handling maintenance and communication. Lieutenant General Joe W. Kelly, commander of MATS, was on hand to welcome the first plane, Despite the "miserable" weather, no accidents or incidents occurred.

Throughout 1962, tensions were high in Europe and in January, the Push II Exercise II began in which the new four-engine MATS jet, the Boeing C-135 Stratolifter, made their first appearance in large freight when 12 of them flown nearly 500 Army troops over the route north pole from Fort Lewis, Washington, to central West Germany. They travel nonstop in less than 10 hours compared to piston-engined aircraft that average between 30 and 35 hours along the normal route. Overall, more than 200 MATS aircraft displaced 5,300 troops from three battle groups from the 4th Infantry Division of the Army in the deployment phase. Jet brings one group of combat back. In West Germany, troops participated in ground maneuvers with NATO forces.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

In the midst of one of the toughest hauling schedules ever (more than 17 airlifts going on or developing during October and November), MATS is called in to support the buildup of troops in the southeastern United States. On October 16th, MATS began working on the level of its war activities. Between October 16 and the end of the month, MATS flew thousands of troops and thousands of tons in hundreds of sorties from bases across the country to Florida and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This includes the first major US Marines and their combat equipment by MATS. Also, during this buildup, MATS lost its first C-135 Stratolifter jet while carrying air transport ammunition to Guantanamo Bay. All three of these technical services increase activity to provide weather support, help, and documentation close to stacking.

During the transport operation, MATS was called in to react to a call for arms to India in early November to stem the Chinese Communist invasion. Airlift requires the movement of 980 tons of small arms more than 6,000 miles from Rhein-Main AB, West Germany, to Dum-Dum Airport, Calcutta. The "unannounced" airlift was completed in eight days by the MATS C-135 Stratolifter jet.

Operation "Big Lift" (1963)

In the first time the US Army division and elements of the Tactical Airforce Command Force were transported across the ocean in one large transport, 15,358 officers and 2nd Armored Division soldiers, their support troops, and 504 tons of combat equipment flown by 204 aircraft MATS from eight bases in South and southwest United States to France and Germany. They were accompanied by 116 tactical fighters and reconnaissance aircraft from the Composite Air Force Attack (CASF) that flew across the Atlantic. The entire operation was completed in 2 1/2 days, using 234 missions. The Jet C-135 Stratolifter travels 5,600 miles in 10Â½ hours nonstop, each carrying 75 troops. It took C-124 Globemasters three times longer, with refueling stops in Bermuda and Azores to carry 80 troops and cargo. Following the NATO land maneuvers in Europe, the troops were repealed back to the United States on 21 November 1963

Vietnam War

Beginning in 1948, MATS flew a transport mission to Indochina France, providing transport of military equipment and supplies to the French government and colonial Vietnam troops fighting the Viet Minh. In 1954, at the request of the Frenchman, an injured Legionnaire from Dien Bien Phu was transported from Tan Son Nhut Airport to Algeria or France. Originally flown from Saigon to Tachikawa AB near Tokyo on C-124, over 14,000 injured soldiers received medical treatment of stabilization. From Japan, the wounded were flown across the Pacific Ocean to the Western United States on MATS C-97. At each subsequent stop at Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Travis AFB, California, and Westover AFB, Massachusetts, there is a one-day stopover. Part of this trip was conducted by MATS 'Pacific Division. From Westover, the Atlantic Division took over and flew the wounded to the Orly Air Base in France and the Oran Airport in Algeria. From start to finish, the mission takes about a month to complete.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s military aid was sent to the South Vietnamese government by MATS air flight to Tan Son Nhut. In addition, military flights were made to Don Muang Airport in Bangkok destined for the Thai military to protect their border along the Mekong River, or secretly to the Laotian Government, which is fighting communist rebels in Laos.

When the United States built its forces in Southeast Asia in the early 1960s, the number of MATS flights to the area increased. MATS C-124 and C-133 Cargomasters are a common sight. Following the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, and a decision made to increase US involvement in the Vietnam War, MATS played an important role in the transportation of personnel and aircraft equipment to the war zone. Throughout 1964 and 1965 MATS flew a large number of US Army and US Marines to South Vietnam. Major MATS airports were established in Da Nang, Cam Ranh Bay and Tan Son Nhut in South Vietnam, as well as at Don Muang Airport in Thailand to support US troops there. The first large-scale MATS jet transport flight from Starlifters C-141A was to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in 1965.

During Vietnam, MATS jokingly is said to be an acronym for "Maybe Again, Tomorrow, Someime."

Military Airlift Command

On January 1, 1966, as a result of the Navy announcing the withdrawal of its components, MATS redesigned the Military Crossing Command.

Skimader R5D Seven Alpha Sea Transport Squadron (VR-7A) was retired in July 1966 and the unit was inactive. VR-7, flying C-121/RV-7 Super Constellation remained attached to the MAC until January 31, 1967, and Naval Air Transport Wing (Pacific) was disabled on March 23, 1967. VR-8 and VR-22 on NAS Moffett Field drew C -130 from MAC on April 20th. The last naval squadron, the VR-3, flew C-130 from McGuire AFB, was deactivated on 30 June and a formal DOD action program directive that freed the Navy from its MAC responsibilities became effective July 1, 1967.

Most of the passenger transport missions except the Special Air Mission are contracted by MAC to commercial airlines such as Pan American, TWA, United, Continental, Northwest and charter companies such as Flying Tiger, using the Civil Air Fleet (CRAF). It provided pilots of commercial aviation and valuable aircrew training, and during the Vietnam War years, seeing commercial aircraft Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 at MAC airport in Southeast Asia was a common sight.

On 1 December 1974, MAC expanded its mission by acquiring a tactical carrying and tactical air transport mission (ie, C-130 Hercules, C-123 Provider, C-7 Caribou) previously performed by combat command (TAC, PACAF, USAFE). In 1987, the MAC was designated as an Air Force component of the US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), an integrated service combined command.

Note: The 4-digit Military Air Transport Service unit at all levels is considered temporary units of Major Command (MAJCOM) by USAF because MATS becomes the United Defense Department's Command. Under the USAF lineage system they have no permanent lineage or history and are terminated at the time of inactivation.

Unit Operator Unit

On 1 July 1957 the reorganization of USAF troop carriers included the transfer of the Army C-124 Globemaster II Army Air Force unit to the Eighteen Air Force to MATS. However, the unit retains the title of their troop operator and remains dedicated to supporting the TAC on the deployment of troops worldwide.

Group Carrier Group 62d, Larson AFB, Washington, July 1, 1957 - June 18, 1960
Wing of the Army 62d, McChord AFB, Washington, June 18, 1960

Redesigned: Air Transport Wing 62d, Weight, on January 1, 1965

Redesigned: 62d Military Airlift Wing, Military Airlift Command, January 8, 1966

The 61st Group of Transporters, Donaldson AFB, South Carolina, July 1, 1957 - October 8, 1959
The Carrying Group 63d, Donaldson AFB, South Carolina, July 1, 1957 - January 18, 1963
Wing of the Army 63d, Hunter AFB, Georgia, January 18, 1963 - January 8, 1966

Redesigned: 63d Military Airlift Wing, Military Lifting Command, January 8, 1966

Station facilities

Once established, the Military Air Transport Service inherits many Air Transport Command stations and Air Transport Service routes around the world. At the time of disestablishment, MATS has closed its facilities at many stations, but some are still used today by the Air Mobility Command to support US interests around the world.

United States

Griffiss AFB, New York

Bukit AFB, Utah

Langley AFB, Virginia

March AFB, California

McClellan AFB, California

Mitchel AFB, New York

Muroc (Edwards) AFB, California

NAS Alameda, California

NAS Corpus Christi, Texas

NAS Norfolk, Virginia

Oakland NAS, California

NAS Jacksonville, Florida

NAS Patuxent River, Maryland

NAS San Diego, California

National Airport, Washington, D.C.

NOTS China Lake, California

Olmsted AFB, Pennsylvania

Robins AFB, Georgia

NAS Saufley Field, Florida

Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

Large plane assigned

Accidents and incidents

src: bergintoys.com

References

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force History Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

Stanley M. Ulanoff, MATS: The Story of the Military Air Transportation Service , 1964, The Moffa Press, Inc.
Air Force History Office, United States Air Force Army in World War II , edited by Craven and Cate
James Lee, Lifeline Operations - History and Development of Naval Air Transportation Services , 1947, Ziff-Davis Publishing Company
Nicholas M. Williams, Aircraft from Military Air Transport Service, 1948-1966, 1999, Midland. '

Douglas C-74 Globemaster, Military Air Transport Service (â¦ | Flickr

src: c1.staticflickr.com

External links

US. Navy - Navy History Center
NATS to MATS
NATS on vpnavy.org

Source of the article : Wikipedia

Sabtu, 02 Juni 2018