Colonel Earl B. Young

Colonel Earl B. Young's Air Force career spanned the formative years of air mobility, and his insight and dedication were instrumental in establishing early organizations charged with providing airlift support to the nation. As Air Transport Command Chief of Plans, he was directly involved at the end of World War II in debate over where airlift resources should be managed and maintained. With the establishment of the Department of Defense in 1947, he was responsible for consolidating airlift resources under one organization, which he named the Military Air Transport Service. On March 28, 1956, 18th Air Force was established with Young as its first commander. Nine medium troop carrier wings and later two heavy troop carrier wings were assigned to 18th AF. His leadership and vision at a pivotal time for the Air Force made a lasting impact on air mobility.

Scott AFB, Illinois · United States