136th Air Defense Wing

136th Airlift Wing
136th Airlift Wing C-130H over Fort Worth, Texas
Active	1943–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Texas
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Wing
Role	Airlift
Part of	Texas Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas
Nickname(s)	Silver Eagles
Motto(s)	Nulli Secundus (Second to None)
Tail Code	Texas*
Engagements	World War II
Insignia
136th Airlift Wing emblem

The 136th Airlift Wing (136 AW) is a unit of the Texas Air National Guard, stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 136th Airlift Wing's C-130 Hercules mission is to perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 performs a diverse number of roles, including airlift support, Antarctic ice resupply, aeromedical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties for the U.S. Forest Service, and natural disaster relief missions. The wing is collocated with the navy, marines, air force reserve, coast guard and army at the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB), on Carswell Field.

The 136th Airlift Wing is composed of 5 groups, 19 units and 1 geographically separated unit (GSU).

Established in mid-1943 as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter group, trained under I Fighter Command on Long Island and Massachusetts. Moved to England, arriving in January 1944. Began operations with IX Fighter Command on 14 March when the group flew a fighter sweep over the English Channel coast of France. Made strafing and bombing attacks on airfields, rail and highway bridges, trains, vehicles, flak positions, and V-weapon sites to help prepare for the invasion of France.

Supported the landings in Normandy early in June 1944 and began operations from the Continent later the same month. Aided in the taking of Cherbourg, participated in the air operations that prepared the way for the Allied breakthrough at St Lo on 25 July, and supported ground forces during their drive across France.