most FTU activities to AETC. More changes were on the horizon. In 1996, the latest addition to Altus AFB, the new C-17 Globemaster III, arrived. Even before its arrival, the base began training pilots and loadmasters to operate and fly the aircraft. In August 2002, the mission of the wing grew when the Air Force moved the basic loadmaster course from Sheppard AFB, Texas, to Altus. This initiative combined similar training programs to reduce the number of moves required by trainees while cutting overall costs. Additionally, during that same month, the wing reorganized as a "combat wing": the 97th Support Group became the 97th Mission Support Group, gaining the new 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron (comprising the former 97th Supply Squadron, 97th Transportation Squadron and logistics plans flight) and the 97th Contracting Squadron. Also, the 97th Logistics Group inactivated and the 97th Maintenance Directorate was activated. The directorate comprises civil-service personnel, who are responsible for the care and maintenance of all three airframes at the base. The 97 AMW discontinued FTU responsibilities for the C-141 concurrent with that aircraft's retirement from the USAF inventory in 2006. On 1 July 2007, the Air Force Reserve Command's (AFRC) 433d Airlift Wing (433 AW) at Lackland AFB/Kelly Field (former Kelly AFB) assumed responsibility for all flying training and academic training for the C-5 aircraft for all Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and Air National Guard (ANG) aircrews, leaving the 97 AMW and Altus to concentrate on C-17 and KC-135 training for AMC, USAFE, PACAF, AFRC and ANG aircrews. Previous names Established on 17 June 1942 as: AAF Advanced Flying School, Altus, Oklahoma Altus Army Airfield, 8 April 1943 AAF Pilot School (Advanced TE), Altus Army Airfield, 6 August 1943 – 23 April 1946 Inactivated 23 April 1946 – 3 March 1953 Altus Air Force Base, 3 March 1953 – present Major commands to which assigned AAF Gulf Coast Training Cen, 26 June 1942 AAF Central Flying Training Comd, 31 July 1943 AAF Technical Service Comd, 16 May 1945 Air Technical Service Comd, 1 July 1945 – 9 March 1946 Tactical Air Command, 11 June 1952 Strategic Air Command, 21 June 1954 Military Airlift Command, 1 July 1968 Air Mobility Command, 1 October 1992 Air Education and Training Command, 1 July 1993 – present Base operating units 453rd Base HQ and Air Base Squadron, 6 October 1942 – 1 May 1944 2508th