166th Airlift Wing

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166th Airlift Wing Delaware Air National Guard This page is maintained by the 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office.

The 166th AW is a C-130 airlift, and the only wing in the Delaware Air National Guard, founded Sept. 6, 1946 and located at the New Castle ANG Base, in New Castle, Del. We transitioned from the fighter era to the airlift era in 1962, and in the mid-1980s acquired our current fleet of Lockheed C-130H “Hercules” transport aircraft. Today, we are nearly 1,100 professional men and women dedicated to maintaining our core competencies in airlift, aeromedical evacuation, civil engineering and network warfare.

Keeping the Promise 🇺🇸In the overnight hours of Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, our very own 2nd Lt. Bharat Kumar Peddu (166th C...
09/30/2026

Keeping the Promise 🇺🇸

In the overnight hours of Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, our very own 2nd Lt. Bharat Kumar Peddu (166th Civil Engineer Squadron) stepped forward to lead a joint team through a demanding stretch of the 2026 Andersen Air Force Base POW/MIA 24-Hour Memorial Ruck in Yigo, Guam: the midnight to 7 am shift.

Leading a dedicated formation of 12 Airmen and veterans representing the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, 554th RED HORSE Squadron, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 36th Security Forces Squadron. Peddu and his team traversed 21.5 miles across the installation.

The formation marched between two historic landmarks: Arc Light Memorial Park (honoring the strategic B-52 missions of the Vietnam War) and the WWII Last Mission Memorial (commemorating the final B-29 strikes launched from Guam).

Their overnight effort culminated in the morning closing ceremony on Sept. 18, upholding our nation’s sacred vow: You are never forgotten.

Join us in recognizing Peddu representing Delaware Air National Guard excellence and the entire joint team at Andersen Air Force Base for carrying the mantle of remembrance.

(Photos courtesy of 2nd Lt. Bharat Kumar Peddu and Senior Airman Manasseh Demissie, 36th Wing Public Affairs)

Delaware National Guard

Airmen assigned to the 166th Airlift Wing shared warm goodbyes with their families this week before boarding C-130H3 Her...
09/24/2026

Airmen assigned to the 166th Airlift Wing shared warm goodbyes with their families this week before boarding C-130H3 Hercules aircraft for a deployment to the Middle East in support of U.S. Central Command.

Nearly 100 Airman departed as a Mission Generation Force Element, an integrated team of aircrew, operations, and maintenance personnel that trains and deploys together to generate tactical airlift wherever needed.

Please join us in wishing our Delaware Air National Guard Airmen a safe and successful mission, and thank you to the families and community whose steadfast support makes it all possible

For more photos go to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/delawarenationalguard/albums/72177720335760455/

For full story go to: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/575501/delaware-air-guard-deploys-c-130h-airlift-package-us-central-command

09/13/2026

“The boots were heavy and the days long,
Through early mornings where the bold belong,
The journey tested body, mind and soul,
Demanding every ounce to reach the goal,
The mission weighed upon the weary bone,
Through rugged rooms where I walked but not alone, Yet deeper than the weariness I knew,
My dedication to the oath rang true,
My sworn commitment forged in sweat and steel,
A quiet strength no hardship could conceal,
No obstacle could break this steady journey,
Nor dull the rigid purpose that is mine,
For every wall faced my will prevailed,
My dedication to the FSS never failed.”
-Chief Master Sgt. Karen King🫡

30 years in uniform - 26 years in one squadron - An unmatched legacy of service. 🇺🇸✨Today, the Delaware Air National Gua...
09/13/2026

30 years in uniform - 26 years in one squadron - An unmatched legacy of service. 🇺🇸✨

Today, the Delaware Air National Guard celebrates the retirement of Chief Master Sgt. Karen King!

Following four years of active-duty service, King spent the rest of her military career serving right here with the Delaware Air National Guard within the Force Support Squadron (FSS). A quarter-century in a single squadron is a rare feat and a true testament to King's unwavering dedication and excellence. 🦅

Drop your well-wishes and congratulations in the comments below! ⬇️

20 years of dedication, leadership, and mission success. 🇺🇸Join us in celebrating the retirement of Senior Master Sgt. M...
09/13/2026

20 years of dedication, leadership, and mission success. 🇺🇸

Join us in celebrating the retirement of Senior Master Sgt. Michael Waski from the 166th Logistics Readiness Squadron! Over the past two decades, Waski has been an integral part of our mission, ensuring our forces remained equipped, supported, and mission-ready at home and abroad.

His impact on the Airmen he led and mentored will be felt across the wing for years to come.

Thank you for two decades of honorable service to the Delaware Air National Guard and our nation.

09/13/2026

ICYMI: Today we welcomed Lt. Col. Christopher White as the new commander of the 166th Mission Support Group during an assumption of command ceremony.

166th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Jeremy Meartz presided over the ceremony as White assumed command and took the guidon.

White will lead the group’s Airmen as they continue to support the wing’s mission.

Join us in congratulating Lt. Col. White and wishing him success in his new role.

New Leadership at the 166th Airlift Wing!Today, we officially welcomed Lt. Col. Christopher White as the new Commander o...
09/13/2026

New Leadership at the 166th Airlift Wing!
Today, we officially welcomed Lt. Col. Christopher White as the new Commander of the 166th Mission Support Group during an assumption of command ceremony.
166th Airlift Wing Commander, Col. Jeremy Meartz presided over the ceremony as Lt. Col. White stepped into this vital leadership role, ready to lead our dedicated airmen and support our critical mission.
Please join us in congratulating Lt. Col. White and wishing him the very best as he takes the guidon!
(Photos by Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Shawn P. Lowe)

09/12/2026

The 166th Airlift Wing congratulates Lt. Col. Estelle R. Murray, 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, on her retirement after 38 years of service.

Lt. Col. Murray enlisted in the Air Force in 1988 and served at Dover Air Force Base, including active duty during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She joined the Delaware Air National Guard in 1998, rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant, and, in 2002, earned a commission as a Health Services Administrator. Over her career, she supported Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Gustav; the 2020 COVID mission; and Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Spartan Shield, and served as a liaison to the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

Maj. Gen. (ret.) Michael R. Berry, former Adjutant General of Delaware, presided over the ceremony.

Thank you for 38 years, ma'am. Enjoy retirement!

09/12/2026

We pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage of the first responders, the sacrifice of our service members, and the strength of the communities who stood together in the days that followed.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget. 🇺🇸🕊️

The 166th Airlift Wing congratulates Col. Timothy J. Hoyle on his retirement after 40 years of service.Col. Hoyle enlist...
09/12/2026

The 166th Airlift Wing congratulates Col. Timothy J. Hoyle on his retirement after 40 years of service.

Col. Hoyle enlisted in the Delaware Air National Guard in 1986, earned his commission, and went on to command the 166th Services Flight, 166th Aerial Port Flight, 166th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and 166th Force Support Squadron. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, spent two decades building the Delaware–Trinidad and Tobago State Partnership Program, and closed his career as Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Force Headquarters. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross, and the Delaware State Seal, and was promoted to the state rank of brigadier general. He continues his service as Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for Air Force JROTC at William Penn High School.

Brig. Gen. Stuart M. Solomon, Assistant Adjutant General – Air, presided over the ceremony.

Thank you for 40 years, sir. Enjoy retirement!

Address

2600 Spruance Drive
New Castle, DE
19720

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7am - 4:30pm
Friday 7am - 4:30pm

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+13023233500

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