WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The members of the 445th Airlift Wing closed out 2023 with many success stories.
Reserve Citizen Airmen from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, flew 1,134 sorties for a total of 3,970 flying hours, consisting of 175 missions. The wing transported 5,981 passengers and delivered more than 17.4 million pounds of cargo.
In addition, the wing deployed 169 personnel for calendar year 2023. This included 140 Airmen who deployed in 72 hours to provide support in an undisclosed U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.
The 445th Operations Group and wing support agencies began the year with water survival training in January. In addition, the wing introduced Tactical Combat Casualty Courses that replaced Self-Aid and Buddy Care.
In February, the 445th Force Support Squadron was selected as the Air Force Reserve Command Education and Training Team of the Year Installation Level winner.
And after a three-year pause due to COVID-19, the wing was able to recognize its annual awards winners at a banquet at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in March.
The 445th Fabrication Flight was named the Maintenance Section of the Year April 17, 2023, in the 2022 annual Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Thomas N. Barnes Armament Systems, Munitions and Major Command Unit awards.
As the weather got warmer, the wing hosted its annual wellness fair as it focused on the mental health of Airmen and a spring clean up day in May.
Throughout the summer, various units participated in training including the aeromedical evacuation squadron at Patriot Medic; aeromedical staging squadron and AES at Steel Buckeye; and the maintenance squadron with confined space training.
In September, the wing paused to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, during a remembrance ceremony.
In October, the wing hosted a civic leader tour to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. During this two-day tour, 22 community leaders from throughout the Miami Valley had an opportunity to learn more about the Air Force and AFRC.
In November, deployed Airmen supported humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
And in December, the 87th Aerial Port Squadron wrapped up the year with their annual toy drive for the Dayton Children’s Hospital, donating about $2,500 in toys and monetary donations for the 39th year.