403rd Troop Carrier Group

Units

63rd Troop Carrier Squadron

64th Troop Carrier Squadron

65th Troop Carrier Squadron

The 403rd TCG moved to Ashiya AB, Japan, in April 1952 without aircraft and for the next month trained to fly newly acquired C-119s. From then until the end of 1952, it dropped paratroops and supplies, transported personnel and equipment, and evacuated casualties in support of the Far East Command and UN forces. The group flew over 6,300 flights; dropped almost 10,000 personnel, over 18,000 tons of cargo, and 380 tons of supplies; and airlifted almost 14,000 medical patients. It returned to Reserve status on January 1, 1953.

Air Force BBS

Legacy Messages - 1995-1999

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Charles Carlson wrote on December 1, 2025

Send Email To CHARLES CARLSON

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City and State: HURST TX

Unit: 403D - 483D TC WING, ASHIYA, JAPAN

Service or Relationship: USAF 1951-1955

Comments: Reference is still be made to the "403d TC Group". Unintentionaly error
I assume.

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Charles Carlson wrote on November 17, 2025

Send Email To CHARLES CARLSON

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City and State: HURST TX

Unit: 403D - 483D TC WING, ASHIYA, JAPAN

Service or Relationship: USAF 1951-1955

Comments: worked in Wing Hq Sq.....I had met Bill Waterman who in Hq Sq. Realize
Bill left for states by April 1953.
I left for the ZI April 1954. Assigned 27th Air Defense Hq, San Bernardino, CA till discharge September 16, 1955.....

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Charles Carlson wrote on October 29, 2025

Send Email To CHARLES CARLSON

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City and State: HURST TX

Unit: 403D - 483D TC WING, ASHIYA, JAPAN

Service or Relationship: USAF 1951-1955

Comments: I was stationed at Ashiya AFB, Japan June 1952-May 1954.
Hqs Squadron


Anyone recall me or prehaps stationed at same time.

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Robert Richardson wrote on July 25, 2020

Send Email To ROBERT RICHARDSON

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City and State: SPOKANE WA

Unit:

Service or Relationship:

Comments: I am currently doing research for a book project that is related to the service of the 403rd Troop Carrier Group, and the 63rd and 64 Troop Carrier Squadrons. I am especially interested in the early years of the war, most particularly 1943.
What helps me most is locating memoirs of men who served in those units. At this time I have the memoir of the group commander, Col. Harry Sands, and I would be happy to share that with anyone. Very interesting man. I also have the memoir of the squadron commander of the 64th, and would likewise share. I have almost nothing on the 63rd.
So - it you have documents related to these units from that era, or if you are aware of memoirs, or if you have or know about photographs, I would sure love to hear from you.
Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Robert

Keywords: World War II, 403rd Troop Carrier Group, 63rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, Tontouta, Espiritu Santo

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Alicia May wrote on May 26, 2017

Send Email To ALICIA MAY

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City and State: JOHNSON CITY TN

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Grandfather, Staff Sergeant Albert Charles May was killed in 1952. My father was nine and did not have that much time with him. I am looking for patches or plane logos or any kind of artwork that would be from my Grandfather's plane, squadron or other. He was somewhat of an artist. Loved to paint. His C-47 went down on a transport mission from Seoul to Cho-Do Island on April 29, 1952.

Keywords: C-47 Commando Transport
German

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David Creagan wrote on June 9, 2015

Send Email To DAVID CREAGAN

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City and State: VANCOUVER WA

Unit: 403RD TC GROUP

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I was a clerk typist in 403rd tc group in :Portland ore.. Sgt. Thorsen was Master seargent.. the group went to Japan, but I ended up at Larson afb. in Moses Lake WA, untill discharge in Sept 1952

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David Brown wrote on August 13, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: NEWBERG OR

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments:

Keywords: looking for photos of the clarktor 6 used by the 403 at portland airbase in the 1952-195?
Im restoring it and need to see want the orange paint on front was and marking on hood
I have the black on the back
thank you

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Deborah Tucker wrote on January 18, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: 403D TROOP CARRIER WING (M)

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Hi,
Looking for anyone who served with my Dad.
Valance (Tom) Tucker
1951 to 1955.
I believe I have a photo of the troops.
My father passed 10/1970
private plane accident
Thank you,
Deborah

Keywords: personal friends

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David McVicar wrote on March 25, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I recently scanned some old slides my father had, and discovered many were from when he was stationed at Clark AFB. I don't know if he was in the 403rd TCW, but there are several photos that veterans or family of this outfit may appreciate. I uploaded them to Flickr (www.flickr.com). You can view them in a slideshow by going to:

http://flickr.com/photos/haolepunk/sets/72157600020452278/show/

If you see a photo you like in the show, click on it, and you will go to a page where you can view it full size. Nice, clear, full-color shots of Clark AFB in 1953 like I haven't seen on the Internet!

Keywords: photos Clark

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James Bowen JR. wrote on January 16, 2006

Send Email To JAMES BOWEN

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City and State: LAKE TAPPS WA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My Dad was in an Airforce Reserve unit from Portland Oregon in the 1950-1953 time frame. He served in Korea in C-119's. I wanted to know if that reserve unit was named the Flying Jennies. He recently passed away and I found a patch I've never seen before. He didn't share his war experience with me. A proud son.
Thanks

Keywords: Nicknames, units, aircraft

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Joseph H. Bisher wrote on January 2, 2005

Send Email To JOSEPH H. BISHER

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City and State: AFFTON MO

Unit: 507TH AAA

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: WE WERE DUG IN AROUND ASHIYA AFB PRIOR TO 6/25/50; WHEN THE ALERT WENT OFF 25 JUNE MACARTHUR CONTACTED OUR UNIT-- NEEDED 30 MEN ASAP TO FLY INTO SUWON TO EVACUATE THE MILITARY ADVISORY UNITS DEPENDENTS FROM SEOUL - WAS CALLED DETACHMENT X-RAY -AF FLEW US OVER IN A C-54--GOT DEPENDENTS OUT- WAS STRAFED USED S.KOREAN VEHICLES TO GET DOWN TO TAEGU - PLANE FLEW OUR PEOPLE BACK TO ASHIYA. THAT WAS THE BEGINNING - I REMEMBER THE B-26, THE P-51 AND THE C-119 -I ALSO REMEMBER WHEN THE 119'S DROPPED BRIDGES FOR THE MARINES TO GET OUT OF THE CHOSEN RESERVOIR.

Keywords: 507TH AAA

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Will Waterman wrote on September 23, 2003

Send Email To WILL WATERMAN

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City and State: WOODLAND HILLS CA

Unit: HQ - HQ SQ, 483RD TC WING

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: Would like more information about current location of squadron personnel during the period 1951 through 1952. Reserve Wing was 403rd TC stationed in Portland, Ore, then to Ashiya.

During era of the C-119.

Keywords: Orderly room of Hq and Hq Sq, 403rd (later 483rd) Troop Carrier Wing at Ashiya AFB, Kyushu Japan.

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Glen A. Picard wrote on April 29, 2003

Send Email To GLEN A. PICARD

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: The 403rd Wing History Office is searching for additional historical information and we are interested in contacting veterans who were members of the 403 TCW and it's subordinated units in Korea. We are interested in 1st person information such as letters or memoirs (written then or after the fact), pictures and other documentation including news articles, as well as personal memorabilia for display here at the 403rd Wing HQ at Keesler AFB MS. The 403 TCW played a key part in the operational deployment of the C-119 during the Korean War. That tradition is today being continued with the 403 WG playing a key role in the operational testing the the new C-130J weapon system for both tactical airlift and weather recon (53 WRS-Hurricane Hunters). The 403rd has been a key part of nearly every operation and conflict since it's activation in WWII, but little of this noble history is known, even in military circles, much less by the general public. We need your help to change that. Thank you.

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Cliff Wildeisen wrote on July 28, 2002

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: I am looking for an old friend Bill Craven from McKeesport, PA. 483rd comm. squad.

Keywords: looking for an old friend I spent time with during the Korean war at Ashya AFB!!

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Oliver Pettit wrote on January 13, 2000

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FT. WORTH TX

Unit: 403 TROOP CARRIER GROUP 64TH TCG

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: I am trying to help my father locate anyone who was in Korea, in the 403 Troop Carrier Group, or 403 TCW,besides being left seat in the C119, dad was also the Maintance Officer for the 64th TCG mid 1952,PCS from the Hensley AF Grand Prairie TX.
Any help would be appreciated.

Keywords: C119's

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Pettit Oliver wrote on November 6, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State: RICHLAND HILL TX

Unit: 403 TROOP CARRIER 35 SQD

Service or Relationship: Air Force

Comments: Looking for anyone who was in the 403 Troop Carrier 35 Sqd. 1951-1953

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