1254th Air Transport Wing

1254th Air Transport Wing
USAF VC-137C 72-7000. The VC-137 was the first plane to be widely known as Air Force One
Active	1948-1966
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Very Important Person Transport
Size	Wing (military aviation unit)
Part of	Military Air Transport Service
Motto(s)	Latin: Experto Crede (Trust One Who Has Had Experience)
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
1254th Air Transport Wing Emblem (approved 8 September 1955)

The 1254th Air Transport Wing was a United States Air Force unit, existing between 1948 and 1966. It was last stationed at Andrews AFB, Maryland.

The 1254th Air Transport Wing was a wing of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) which was first organized as a squadron in 1948. The mission of the 1254th Air Transport Wing was to manage the MATS Special Air Mission fleet of aircraft for Very Important Persons (VIP)s in the Washington, D.C. area. The wing reported directly to MATS Headquarters after 1952. It was discontinued on 8 January 1966.

For the history of Special Air Missions after 1966 see 89th Airlift Wing

In 1944 Air Transport Command (ATC) organized the 503d AAF Base Unit at Washington National Airport, Virginia and assigned it to its North Atlantic Division. The unit replaced the 26th Transport Group and the Washington National Airport Staff Squadron. Because of its frequent transport of high-ranking passengers, the unit was referred to as the "Brass Hat Squadron." The 503d operated the first airplane designated as a presidential plane, the Douglas VC-54C known as the "Sacred Cow." This aircraft was used by Presidents Roosevelt and Truman. It took President Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in 1945. On 26 July 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 while on board this plane. This act established the Air Force as an independent service, making the Sacred Cow the "birthplace" of the USAF. In 1947 the unit began to operate the Douglas VC-118 named "Independence" after President Truman's home town as the primary presidential airplane.