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Airlift/Tanker Association

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Airlift/Tanker Association
Abbreviation A/TA
Formation 1969; 56 years ago (1969)
Type 501(c)(3) organization
Location
  • Chattanooga, Tennessee
Website www.atalink.org
Formerly called
 Airlift Association (1968–1991)

The Airlift/Tanker Association (A/TA), formerly the Airlift Association, is an American non-profit organization that supports the United States Air Force's airlift and air mobility operations. The A/TA is a partner of the Air Mobility Command.

History[]

In July 1969, members of the 834th Airlift Division who served in the Vietnam War convened for a reunion in Las Vegas, where they formed the Airlift Association.[1][2] The association was chartered in 1975. It later formed a partnership with the Air Force to train and develop airmen.[3]

The association was renamed the Airlift/Tanker Association in 1992.[2]

The A/TA's leadership included personnel like Air Force general Duane H. Cassidy, who served as Chairman of the Board of Officers from 1999 to 2003.[4]

Activities[]

The association is structured into chapters, which are typically formed on or adjacent to military bases. The chapter needs at least 20 A/TA members and a drafted charter that is presented to the association before it can be approved.[5] Chapters include Robins Air Force Base that was formed in 1992,[6] the Huyser Chapter at Scott Air Force Base named after Robert E. Huyser,[7] and overseas chapters like Luftbrücke and Berlin for air crew who flew in the Berlin Airlift.[8][9][10]

Events vary between chapters. Some collaborate with other societies for charity events on base, such as a golf tournament on Dyess Air Force Base between the A/TA's Big Country chapter and Meals on Wheels Plus in Abilene in 1987.[11] Other chapters own and operate historic aircraft like a Douglas DC-4 owned by the Berlin Airlift Association[8] and a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar on display at Pope Field after its chapter raised money to acquire the plane from the Florence Air & Missile Museum in 1988.[12]

The A/TA hosts the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium annually in partnership with the Air Mobility Command.[13] Other activities by the association included sponsoring the Air Force Ball in 2012.[14]

The headquarters are located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is a 501(c)(3) organization.[15]

Hall of Fame[]

The A/TA maintains a Hall of Fame, which has 37 inductees as of 2024.[16] The Hall of Fame was founded in 1989.[10]

Those enshrined have busts placed at Scott AFB.[17] The sculptures are part of the Airlift Association Hall of Fame Memorial and Walk of Fame, which opened in 1991 as part of the larger Berlin Airlift Memorial Garden.[18] It features a three-ton, eight-foot-by-four-foot slab of the Berlin Wall that was delivered by the association's German chapter Luftbrücke.[19][10] Founding members of the A/TA also receive busts.[1]

Year Inductee Rank Ref
2024 Carlton, Paul K.Paul K. Carlton General (Ret.) [20]
2023 Civil Reserve Air Fleet N/A [21]
2022 No inductee
2021 Brown, Donald D.Donald D. Brown Major General [22]
2020 Lane, LawrenceLawrence Lane Colonel (Ret.) [23]
2019 Aerial port squadrons N/A [23]
2018 Kross, WalterWalter Kross General (Ret.) [19]
2017 Williams, Paul L.Paul L. Williams Major General (Ret.) [24]
2016 Cobham, AlanAlan Cobham N/A [17]
2015 The C-17A Pathfinder Loadmasters[lower-alpha 1] N/A [25]
2014 Young, Earl B.Earl B. Young Colonel (Ret.) [26]
2013 Fogleman, Ronald R.Ronald R. Fogleman General [27]
2012 Pitsenbarger, William H.William H. Pitsenbarger Staff Sergeant [28]
2011 Ryan Jr., Thomas M.Thomas M. Ryan Jr. Major General (Ret.) [29]
2009 The Pioneers of Aerial Refueling[lower-alpha 2] N/A [30]
2008 Patterson, Robert B.Robert B. Patterson Major General (Ret.) [31]
2007 Aeromedical Evacuation Legacy Team[lower-alpha 3] N/A [32]
2006 Cassidy, Duane H.Duane H. Cassidy General (Ret.) [33]
2005 Baginski, James I.James I. Baginski Major General (Ret.) [34]
2003 Shea, John F.John F. Shea N/A [35]
2002 Spaatz, CarlCarl Spaatz General [36]
2001 Hooe, Roy W.Roy W. Hooe Master Sergeant [37]
2000 Wilson, Winston P.Winston P. Wilson Major General [38]
1999 Halvorsen, GailGail Halvorsen Colonel (Ret.) [39]
1998 Levitow, JohnJohn Levitow Sergeant [40]
1997 Jackson, Joe M.Joe M. Jackson Colonel [41]
1997 Moore Jr., William G.William G. Moore Jr. General [42]
1996 Love, Nancy HarknessNancy Harkness Love N/A [43]
1995 Smith, JosephJoseph Smith Lieutenant General [44]
1994 Huyser, Robert E.Robert E. Huyser General [45]
1993 Eaker, Ira C.Ira C. Eaker Lieutenant General [46]
1992 Smith, C. R.C. R. Smith Major General [47]
1991 George, Harold L.Harold L. George Lieutenant General [48]
1990 Douglas Sr., Donald WillsDonald Wills Douglas Sr. N/A [49]
1990 Kuter, Laurence S.Laurence S. Kuter General [50]
1989 Tunner, William H.William H. Tunner Lieutenant General [51]
  1. ↑ Chief Master Sgts. William Cannon, Marion Fincher, James Lis, Mark Smith, Michael Welch, Theodore Venturini (Ret.)
  2. ↑ Crews responsible for the first American aerial refueling flights in 1923 and 1929: 1st Lts. Virgil Hine and Frank W. Seifert (1923); Capt. Robert G Erwin, 1st Lt. Oliver R. McNeel, Capt. Lowell H. Smith, and 1st Lt. John Paul Richter (1929)
  3. ↑ Lt. Paul K. Carlton Jr. (Ret.), Col. Regine Aune (Ret.), Col. Bud Traylor (Ret.), Col. Bob Brannon (Ret.), Col. Jay Johannigman, Capt. Reba Tobiason (posthumous), Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Christa, and Master Sgt. Mark McElroy (Ret.)

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Obituary for Brig. Gen. Malcolm P. Hooker, USAF (Ret)". March 29, 2015. https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-lucie-news-tribune/165275706/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cook, Greg (September 14, 2015). "Airlift/Tanker Association Salutes the Life of Founding Member Thomas Sadler". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/content/2015/09/14/airlifttanker-association-salutes-the-life-of-founding-member-thomas-sadler/. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  3. ↑ Schogol, Jeff (October 28, 2015). "High ops tempo is hot topic at Airlift/Tanker Association convention". https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/10/28/high-ops-tempo-is-hot-topic-at-airlift-tanker-association-convention/. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  4. ↑ Wade, Stephenie (February 11, 2016). "AF remembers pioneer of DOD transportation". United States Air Force. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/654962/af-remembers-pioneer-of-dod-transportation/. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  5. ↑ "Airlift/Tanker Association Chapter Handbook" (PDF). Airlift/Tanker Association. August 16, 2017. https://s3.amazonaws.com/airlift-tanker-association/Chapters/ATA+Chapter+Handbook+16+August+2017.pdf. 
  6. ↑ "Robins Air Force Base is seeking membership and charter establishment of an Airlift Association Chapter.". October 7, 1992. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph/165272343/. 
  7. ↑ Hafemeister, Rod (October 2, 1997). "General honored in memorial ceremony at Scott". https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-general-hon/165273644/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Berlin heroes to meet again". May 26, 1988. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-post-berlin-heroes-to-mee/165273724/. 
  9. ↑ Angel, Florian (September 23, 1998). "Berliners honor airlift veterans". https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-berliners-honor-airlift-vetera/165275489/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Coleman, Seth (May 30, 1991). "Airlifters mark anniversary with Berlin symbol". https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-airlifters/165275543/. 
  11. ↑ "Airlift Association donates funds". May 3, 1987. https://www.newspapers.com/article/abilene-reporter-news-airlift-associatio/165275808/. 
  12. ↑ "C-119 exhibit is moving". August 26, 1988. https://www.newspapers.com/article/florence-morning-news-c-119-exhibit-is-m/165275341/. 
  13. ↑ Fontalvo, Alejandra (November 1, 2018). "A/TA symposium allows JBC Airmen to 'reconnect, recharge, re-blue'". Joint Base Charleston. https://www.jbcharleston.jb.mil/News/Article/1678287/ata-symposium-allows-jbc-airmen-to-reconnect-recharge-re-blue/. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  14. ↑ "Air Force celebrates 65 years". October 10, 2012. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28939684/air_force_celebrates_65_years/. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  15. ↑ "About A/TA". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/about. 
  16. ↑ "Hall of Fame". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame. Retrieved February 10, 2025. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 English, Tristin (October 12, 2017). "A/TA honors air mobility pioneer". United States Air Force. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1340513/ata-honors-air-mobility-pioneer/. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  18. ↑ Hollinshed, Denise (October 19, 1991). "Garden set up to honor Berlin Airlift heroes". https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-garden-set/165276884/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Savage, Kristin (June 14, 2019). "Kross honored at Scott's ATA Walk of Fame". McChord Field. https://www.mcchord.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1876684/kross-honored-at-scotts-ata-walk-of-fame/. 
  20. ↑ "2024 – General Paul K. Carlton". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/S99kdBqYnvX89s81IqDht. 
  21. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (September 6, 2024). "Still Delivering … After All These Years". Air & Space Forces Association. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/still-delivering-after-all-these-years/. 
  22. ↑ Cook, Solomon (May 26, 2022). "A/TA honors Maj. Gen. Donald D. Brown during unveiling ceremony on Scott Air Force Base". https://www.bnd.com/news/local/community/scott-afb/article261841980.html. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Snyder, Sidney (June 11, 2021). "A/TA honors 'Port Dawgs,' Col. 'Rocky' Lane during Hall Of Fame ceremony". Nellis Air Force Base. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/2655175/ata-honors-port-dawgs-col-rocky-lane-during-hall-of-fame-ceremony/. 
  24. ↑ Eveland, Annie Charnley (December 3, 2017). "Grandfather inducted into Hall of Fame for World War II service". https://www.union-bulletin.com/local_columnists/etcetera/grandfather-inducted-into-hall-of-fame-for-world-war-ii-service/article_7a6113fe-d6ed-11e7-9f47-8b509c73effb.html. 
  25. ↑ Garcia, Daniel (September 15, 2016). "C-17 loadmasters receive honors at A/TA’s Hall of Fame Walkway". https://www.bnd.com/news/local/community/scott-afb/article101984857.html. 
  26. ↑ Ames, Jodi (July 10, 2015). "Air mobility pioneer honored by Airlift Tanker Association". Eighteenth Air Force. https://www.18af.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/761404/air-mobility-pioneer-honored-by-airlift-tanker-association/. 
  27. ↑ "Fogleman Inducted in Airlift Tanker Hall of Fame". Air & Space Forces Association. October 10, 2014. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/fogleman-inducted-in-airlift-tanker-hall-of-fame/. 
  28. ↑ "New addition to ATA Walk of Fame". Scott Air Force Base. July 18, 2013. https://www.scott.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000926664/. 
  29. ↑ "2011 - General Thomas M. Ryan, USAF (Ret)". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/7FgyEbI25puoy6oY4pAdw5. 
  30. ↑ Sturkol, Scott T. (September 29, 2010). "Air refueling pioneers honored in ceremony at Scott". United States Air Force. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/115443/air-refueling-pioneers-honored-in-ceremony-at-scott/. 
  31. ↑ McAndrews, Laura (September 29, 2009). "A/TA Hall of Fame inductee honored at Scott AFB". Air Mobility Command. https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/146974/ata-hall-of-fame-inductee-honored-at-scott-afb/. 
  32. ↑ "Medics inducted into Airlift Tanker Hall of Fame". United States Air Force Medical Service. November 6, 2007. https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/News/Display/Article/427340/medics-inducted-into-airlift-tanker-hall-of-fame/. 
  33. ↑ "2006 – General Duane H. Cassidy, USAF (Ret)". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/3jtkOifga4HZ1cOz105nqJ. 
  34. ↑ Lopez, Angel (October 5, 2006). "Airlift/Tanker Association dedicates Hall of Fame bust". Air Mobility Command. https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/148416/airlifttanker-association-dedicates-hall-of-fame-bust. 
  35. ↑ "2003 – Mr. John F. Shea". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/2qUceFaXG432v36yC85Mnx. 
  36. ↑ "2002 – General Carl A. (Tooey) Spaatz". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/2gH0jh7bZZ36GFpwpzHG98. 
  37. ↑ "2001 – Master Sergeant Roy W. Hooe". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/39Qo3WS8Y5mRfxudEjMhDu. 
  38. ↑ "2000 – Maj. Gen. Winston P. Wilson". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/1Gb5Y00wtyGUiEC1XnB0xU. 
  39. ↑ Ford, Regina (March 31, 2001). "Gail Halvorsen still delivers the goods". https://www.gvnews.com/news/gail-halvorsen-still-delivers-the-goods/article_42798bf1-5393-571c-80c3-f61ac4b01540.html. Retrieved February 27, 2019. 
  40. ↑ "Airman First Class John L. Levitow". Air Mobility Command Museum. https://amcmuseum.org/history/airman-first-class-john-l-levitow/. 
  41. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Joe Jackson". Air Mobility Command Museum. https://amcmuseum.org/history/lieutenant-colonel-joe-jackson/. 
  42. ↑ "1997 – General William G. Moore". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/6cFrIC5veIo3M32W1hfeZk. 
  43. ↑ "Nancy Harkness Love". National Museum of the United States Army. https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/nancy-harkness-love/. 
  44. ↑ "1995 – Lt. Gen. Joseph Smith". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/4QPveThcGMd2JqWBNRjFlu. 
  45. ↑ "1994 – Gen. Robert E. "Dutch" Huyser". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/2Cz54FLdIesFmUhIKQWao2. 
  46. ↑ "1993 – Lt. Gen. Ira C. Eaker". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/4F8tLkX0VyBrkhZkbwEFVv. 
  47. ↑ "1992 – Maj. Gen. Cyrus Rowlett (CR) Smith". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/3YJLYIVD71iOKPy2CdrcvM. 
  48. ↑ "1991 – Lt. Gen. Harold L. George". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/6cgLpJFoYDkNITCaTVJLyV. 
  49. ↑ "1990 – Mr. Donald W. Douglas". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/4rgbwYz0YWdV3OIS6TWoi5. 
  50. ↑ "1990 – Gen. Laurence S. Kuter". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/6zGzFFXxSSZK5ZsMY5vC4. 
  51. ↑ "1989 – Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner". Airlift/Tanker Association. https://www.atalink.org/hall-of-fame/50Lsox3VgbXPB3MBnChnVT. 

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