AMC Museum unveils Air Transport Command exhibit

Former Air Transport Command members Jack Kinyon, flight traffic clerk; George Scholfield, navigator; and Ed Sipowicz, radio operator; left to right respectively, stand in front of the new ATC exhibit in the Air Mobility Command Museum, May 21, 2016, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The three ATC veterans attended an exhibit unveiling ceremony that will educate visitors on the history of the ATC. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AMC Museum unveils Air Transport Command exhibit

Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander, far right, as well as attendees, applaud former Air Transport Command members Ed Sipowicz, radio operator; George Scholfield, navigator; and Jack Kinyon, flight traffic clerk, right to left respectively, during an unveiling ceremony for the new ATC exhibit in the Air Mobility Command Museum, May 21, 2016, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Grismer saluted the ATC veterans for their service and attendance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AMC Museum unveils Air Transport Command exhibit

Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander, right, talks with Ed Sipowicz, a former Air Transport Command radio operator, left, prior to the unveiling ceremony for the new ATC exhibit in the Air Mobility Command Museum, May 21, 2016, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The ATC Memorial Association’s assistance and funding made this permanent display possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
AMC Museum unveils Air Transport Command exhibit

The flight jacket and uniform of former Air Transport Command member Jack Kinyon, a flight traffic clerk, stands on display in the new ATC exhibit in the Air Mobility Command Museum, May 21, 2016, on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Besides Kinyon’s personal uniform donation, the ATC Memorial Association’s assistance and funding made this permanent display possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

AMC Museum unveils Air Transport Command exhibit

Published June 1, 2016
By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Most military units and organizations can trace their heritage and roots back decades or even centuries to their predecessors. This is true with today's Air Mobility Command, which can trace its own roots back 75 years to the Air Transport Command.

The AMC Museum unveiled a new exhibit that focuses on the Air Transport Command, a predecessor to AMC, during a dedication ceremony May 21, 2016, at the AMC Museum on Dover AFB.

"Airlift didn't start to be a true part of military planning until the beginning of World War II," said Mike Leister, AMC Museum director. "This is when the U.S. Army Air Forces created the first around-the-world air service."

Originating in 1942, during World War II, ATC was a first of its kind service; being able to deliver supplies and equipment to combat theaters around the world by air. At its height in August 1945, ATC operated more than 3,200 transport aircraft and employed 209,000 personnel.

After the war, with the restructuring of the Air Force as a separate military branch, ATC was inactivated and became the precursor to the Military Air Transport Service in 1948. MATS lasted until 1966 when it was designated the Military Airlift Command. Then again, in 1992, MAC itself was designated as today's AMC.

The new ATC exhibit at the AMC Museum was designed and constructed in-house with the help of the ATC Memorial Association.

"The Air Transport Command Memorial Association provided major funding for the exhibit," said Leister. "The association came to us, because they are winding down their organization, they wanted to find a place for their memorabilia."

According to Leister, the AMC Museum was the perfect fit