A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III flown by the 105th Airlift Wing of the New York National Guard prepares to taxi after dropping off cargo to be used for exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Wunstorf Air Base, Wunstorf, Germany, June 2, 2023. (Caila Arahood/U.S. Air National Guard)

An airlift wing that helped evacuate Afghan allies from Kabul during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 is turning 75.

The New York National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing, which currently flies nine C-17 Globemaster III transports from Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y., will mark the anniversary Friday. The wing released a video outlining its history and narrated by its commander, Brig. Gen. Gary R. Charlton II.

“We’re proud to have served this community and country for 75 years and look forward to continue doing so for 75 more,” Charlton said.

The wing received federal recognition in 1948 and began operations as the 137th Fighter Squadron at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y., according to a New York National Guard news release. It underwent a number of name and mission changes over the years, becoming the 137th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1952, the 105th Tactical Fighter Group in 1958, the 105th Aeromedical Transport Group in 1961, the 105th Tactical Air Support Group in 1970, the 05th Military Airlift Group in 1983, the 105th Airlift Group in 1992 and finally the 105th Airlift Wing in 1995.

As its mission changed, the wing also stayed on the cutting edge of Air Force technology. Initially equipped with the World War II fighter bomber F-47 Thunderbolt, over the years the wing has flown the F-51 Mustang fighter, F-94 Starfighter all-weather interceptor, F-86 Saber Jet, C-119 Flying Boxcar, C-97 Stratocruiser and the propeller-driven 0-21 Skymaster.

In July 1985, the wing became the first Air National Guard unit to fly the Air Force’s largest plane, the C-5 Galaxy. It converted to the C-17 in 2011.

Notably, the 105th participated in missions in southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. It has been based out of Stewart since 1987, flying tactical airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions around the world.

Most recently in April, 17 airmen from the 105th were recognized with Air Medals for their actions during the 2021 Kabul evacuation.