This Week in History

Published Oct. 14, 2009

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --
Oct. 16, 1968
A fire in military family housing caused extensive damage to the
home of then 436th Military Airlift Wing Commander Brig. Gen. John B.
Wallace.

Oct. 13, 1973
Dover aircrews began airlifting aid to Israel in support of
Operation NICKLE GRASS. This short-notice emergency airlift lasted a total
of 33 days. The 436th Airlift wing flew 77 C-5 missions divided between the
3rd and 9th Military Airlift Squadrons. In total the 9th MAS flew 40
missions (1,239 hours) and the 3rd flew 37 (1,050 hours). These aircrews
transported more than 26,500 pounds of cargo during these missions. The
436th Aerial Port Squadron's average daily cargo flow equaled 1,802 outbound
tons and 556 inbound tons during this operation.

Oct. 13 1983
Dover Air Force Base maintenance personnel started a contemporary
C-5 Galaxy reliability record for on-time departures. This record would
reach 114 on-time departures before the next late departure.