516th Aeronautical Systems Wing The 516th Aeronautical Systems Wing ( AESW ) is an inactive wing of the United States Air Force ( USAF ) . It was last assigned to the Aeronautical Systems Center of Air Force Materiel Command at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio . Mission . The 516th AESW was responsible for modernization , development , test , production , deployment and sustainment of new and existing aircraft systems to meet Air Mobility Command , Air Force Reserve Command , Air National Guard , and Special Operations Forces in global mobility mission areas . The wing executed a $ 16 . 9 billion budget . History . Airlift Operations . Assigned to the reserves in the 1949 conversion to the Wing Base Hobson Plan reorganization as the 516th Troop Carrier Wing , the wing performed Reserve troop carrier training under the supervision of the 2584th Air Force Reserve Training Center at Memphis Municipal Airport ( MAP ) , Tennessee until April 1951 . Upon entering active duty in place that month the wing assumed responsibility for operating and maintaining the USAF portion of Memphis MAP and participated in tactical exercises and worldwide airlift . The wing converted from Curtiss C - 46 Commando to Fairchild C - 119 Flying Boxcar aircraft in 1952 . It was replaced by 463d Troop Carrier Wing in January 1953 . The wing replaced the 64th Troop Carrier Wing at Dyess AFB , Texas in January 1963 . Until it was replaced by 463d Tactical Airlift Wing in June 1972 , it performed worldwide tactical airlift and participated in a constant stream of tactical exercises and operations . The wing frequently deployed squadrons overseas to Europe , the Far East , and the Canal Zone . It conducted de Havilland Canada C - 7 Caribou combat crew training in addition to other missionsfrom August 1969 to May 1972 for USAF personnel and for three months in 1971 for South Vietnamese crews . It was inactivated on 1 June 1972 . Systems Development Operations . Three of the wing ' s groups focused on specific airlift aircraft . The 516th Aeronautical Systems Group directed the modernization , development , test , production , deployment and sustainment of C - 17 aircraft , F117 engine , support , and training systems . This Department of Defense airlift program provides vital airlift capability in support of U . S . national interests . Its 716th Aeronautical Systems Group directed the modernization , development , test , production , deployment and plans for sustainment of C - 5 aircraft , support and training systems . This Department of Defense airlift modernization program provides strategic airlift capability in support of U . S . national interests . And its 866th Aeronautical Systems Group directed the modernization , development , test , production , deployment and plans for sustainment of the C - 130 aircraft , support , and training systems . This Department of Defense airlift program provides tactical airlift capability in support of U . S . national interests . Its other group , the 836th Aeronautical Systems Group directed the development , test , production , deployment and sustainment of KC - 10 Aircraft Modernization and KC - 135 Replacement Tanker aircraft , support , and training systems programs . These programs provide strategic mobility and force enabling capability to Air Mobility Command in support of U . S . national interests and worldwide readiness support . Prior to June 2008 , this mission was performed by the Tanker Systems Modernization Systems Squadron ( later 653d Aeronautical Systems Squadron ) . Two systems squadrons were also assigned directly to the group . The 654th Aeronautical Systems Squadron directed the development , test , production , deployment and plans for sustainment of the Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measures system for both transport and tanker aircraft . This Department of Defense program develops advanced missile warning systems and countermeasures . Its 655th Aeronautical Systems Squadron directed the acquisition , modernization , deployment and sustainment of a fleet of leased and purchased aircraft for the operational support airlift / very important person special air mission ( OSA / VIPSAM ) that included the C - 32A , C - 37A / B , C - 40B / C , and E - 10 . The program supports Air Mobility Command , Air National Guard , and Air Force Reserve missions providing support airlift and communications capability to our nation ’ s leaders . Lineage . 516th Tactical Airlift Wing 516th Aeronautical Systems Wing Components . Groups Squadrons