the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 26 908th Security Forces Squadron members were called to active duty primarily augmenting the security forces at Maxwell and Gunter in their heightened security efforts. On 8 November, fifty-two 908th SFS personnel joined the legions of reservists and Guard members called to active duty in support of the homeland defense effort, Operation Noble Eagle. In 2002, volunteers from the wing's 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They were the first group of airmen to deploy to the war from the wing and received numerous awards including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Outstanding Unit Award with Valor. In December 2003, nearly 250 unit personnel from the wing's C-130 operations and maintenance units were called to active duty to support Operation Enduring Freedom, with more than 180 aircrew members and maintenance and support personnel initially deploying to Central Asia. During the mobilization, the units also supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, deploying to the Persian Gulf region. The units demobilized in November 2005. Programmed mission change The 908th Wing is the preferred location to host the Air Force's MH-139A Grey Wolf formal training unit, according to an announcement made by the Secretary of the Air Force on 20 November 2020. The final decision is expected in 2021 following an environmental impact statement. The wing mission will be to train pilots in providing security and support for the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile fields. The MH-139 mission will replace the mission of the wing’s aging C-130Hs, with the first MH-139s arriving in 2023. Lineage Established as the 908th Troop Carrier Group, Medium and activated on 15 January 1963 (not organized) Organized in the Reserve on 11 February 1963 Redesignated 908th Tactical Airlift Group on 1 July 1967 Redesignated 908th Tactical Air Support Group on 25 April 1969 Redesignated 908th Tactical Airlift Group on 15 December 1971 Redesignated 908th Airlift Group on 1 February 1992 Redesignated as: 908th Airlift Wing on 1 October 1994 Assignments Continental Air Command, 15 January 1963 (not organized) 302d Troop Carrier Wing, 11 February 1963 435th Troop Carrier Wing, 18 March 1963 446th Troop Carrier Wing (later 446th Tactical Airlift Wing), 1 December 1965 433d Tactical Airlift Wing, 1 March 1968 Third Air Force Reserve Region, 25 April 1969 Eastern Air Force Reserve Region, 31 December 1969 434th