Cover artwork of the 1954 Grenier Album

The 1610th Air Transport Group (ATG) was activated at Grenier AFB, New Hampshire on 1 July 1953 under the command of  Col. Eugene C. Woltz. A veteran of 18 years service, Col. Woltz was a 1936 graduate of the University of Wichita. His military education included graduation from the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Al., the British Staff College at Camberly, England, and the Command and Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Ks.

Col. Eugene C. Woltz, commander, 1610th Air Transport Group.

The primary task of the 1610th ATG was support of U.S. military operations in the Arctic region. Destinations such as Argentia in Newfoundland, Sondrestrom and Thule in Greenland, Goose Bay in Labrador, and Keflavik in Iceland had a familiar ring to old hands at Grenier AFB. Just a few years earlier, the Air Force activated many Aircraft Control and Warning (ACW) squadrons at Grenier AFB. Personnel from these radar and communication units would deploy to the   DEW line sites that were being constructed in the far north. These radar outposts were needed to provide warning of airborn Soviet nuclear attack. Grenier AFB had a long standing connection to U.S. Air Force Arctic operations going back to World War II, when the Air Transport Command's North Atlantic Wing directed the ferrying of thousands of bombers and fighters across the Atlantic Ocean through many of these same northern bases.

The Douglas C-54 Skymasters of the 1610th ATW were appropriately decked out in full MATS markings with portions of the wings and tail surfaces painted arctic red.

The 44th Air Transport Squadron (ATS) was activated at Grenier AFB, New Hampshire on 20 April 1953 under the command of Maj. Donald H. Kohl.  Initially only one NCO and two airmen were on the roster, but by early June there were two officers and fourteen airmen. This cadre was busy preparing the three barracks designated for the squadron, as well as setting up various squadron sections such as headquarters and maintenance. In July 1953 Lt. Col. Robert A. Wray assumed command of the squadron, with Maj. Kohl assigned as operations officer. The first Douglas C-54 Skymaster transport aircraft arrived on 1 July 1953, and the squadron became fully operational in March, 1954. The unit was already flying airlift missions to the north country prior to operational recognition.

Lt. Col. Robert A. Wray was commanding officer of the 44th ATS.

The 83rd Air Transport Squadron (ATS) was activated at Dow AFB, Bangor, ME on 9 September 1952 under the command of Maj. Fred W. Vetter Jr.  With ten years service in the Air Force, Major Vetter's experience in the military air transport field included command of the Military Air Transport Service's (MATS) first C-97 Stratocruiser squadron. He had most recently served at the director of operations for the 1600th Air Transport Wing (ATW), the parent organization of the 83rd ATS.  operational airlift missions took place on 4 November 1952. The 83rd ATS performed its first operational airlift mission on 4 November 1952, less than two months after activation.

As successful as the late 1952 activation of the 83rd ATS had been, big changes were in store for Dow AFB in 1953.  The airfield was under the operational jurisdiction of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). The 83rd was simply a tenant unit on a base for which SAC had big plans.  On 20 January 1953, the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing (SFW) was activated at Dow AFB as part of SAC's continuing expansion. The wing possessed three fighter squadrons that immediately began working up on the Republic F-84. In addition, the KB-29 tanker aircraft of the 506th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) joined the wing on 25 September 1953. The SAC organization quickly commandeered nearly everything under Major Vetter's control except his C-54 transports. On 29 May 1953, the eight C-54s of the 83rd ATS departed Dow AFB in a permanent change of station to Grenier AFB. The 83rd flew its first official airlift mission from its new home on 1 June 1953.

Major Fred W. Vetter, commander, 83rd ATS.

Major Fred W. Vetter went on to have many other challenging assignments in his Air Force career.  He became commander of the first operational Air Force Tactical Missile Group at Bitburg Air Base, Germany in 1958. Selected in 1966 to be the Military Assistant to Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Harold Brown, he became commander of the 436th Military Airlift Wing (MAW) at Dover AFB, DE in March 1969.  He retired as a Brigadier General in 1970.

A fine portrait of C-54G 45-0602 by Paul S. Trask. Taken at Keene, NH, this photo shows that the 1610th was assigned to MATS Atlantic Division. The nose gear door is lettered 83rd Air Transport Sqdn M, Grenier AFB, NH

The 1610th ATG was in existence for only a short time. Short-lived establishments are among the most intriguing to research, and also the most difficult. Little is known by this writer of the inactivation of the 1610th ATG. It would appear to have taken place sometime before the Air Force Reserve activated the 81st Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS) at Grenier AFB on 22 August 1955. More will be posted when the information becomes available.

THE END 

The author wishes to thank the Archives of the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB, AL and the New Hampshire Aviation Historical Society for their assistance in gathering materials for this article.