The 166th Airlift Wing is a Delaware Air National Guard wing headquartered in New Castle, Delaware. Operating eight permanently assigned, Lockheed C-130H2 transport aircraft, the wing provides the U.S. Air Force with tactical airlift and airdrop of troops, cargo and passengers and aeromedical evacuation of patients anywhere in the world.
The following are 166th Airlift Wing's wing staff agencies:
Chaplain
The Chaplain team provides chaplains and enlisted chaplain assistants who help care for the base's highest priority, the people. Chaplains provide pastoral guidance in matters pertaining to religious expression, religious conviction, ethical decision-making, moral reasoning, wedding preparation and more. Religious programs include Catholic and Protestant activities, as well as seasonal special activities and worship opportunities. Other faith group members may contact the chaplain's office for information on locations and contacts for other faith groups.
Command Post
The Command Post supports peacetime and combat Global Reach for America by preparing, launching and recovering all aircraft that travel through the air base, day and night. Command Post professionals provide command and control to orchestrate the wing mission, operating state-of-the-art voice data communication systems to receive, process and disseminate information, exercising command authority across functional lines to efficiently manage Air Mobility Command and Air Force-wide resources. Both in times of peace and increased tension the Command Post is the hub of information circulated throughout the base. The Command Post works with law enforcement, base fire department, base operations and other offices to make an accurate assessment of base functions and report directly to the wing commander. Command and control specialists are the direct link to the Tanker Airlift Control Center -- AMC's command and control center -- and responsible for coordinating all mission events.
Equal Opportunity
The EO office partners with the Delaware National Guard's State Equal Employment Manager to assist the wing commander in promoting an environment free from discrimination based on an individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age and mental or physical handicap. The EO staff contributes to mission readiness by providing a full range of services designed to ensure that military members and civilian employees and applicants are treated fairly, equitably, with respect and dignity and are evaluated only by individual merit and capability. In delivering these services, the EO staff works closely with Recruiting and Retention, JAG, and IG offices. The primary emphasis is to provide quality program management and advisory services in areas pertaining to EO, human relations education, unit climate assessments, mediation and diversity awareness through site visits, annual trainings, and unit commander briefings as a source of complaint prevention, with the goal of resolving complaints at the lowest possible level.
Inspector General
The IG office provides assistance to military personnel of all services, DoD civilians, retirees, contractors and others in processing complaints and in administering the DoD's Fraud, Waste and Abuse program. The prime emphasis is to ensure any complaint is investigated fairly, using all the facts, policies, and guidance available to achieve timely and logical results. The IG system is best used in the complaint resolution process after the chain of command was unresponsive or unable to satisfactorily address the concern or process causing the complaint. IG confidentiality ensures the complainant's right to complain without fear or reprisal.
Plans and Programs
The Wing Plans function produces, maintains and executes local, national, and global contingency plans in support of state and national interests. The function is responsible for writing, updating, and maintaining supporting plans, wing supplements, and installation plans, and is required to conduct contingency and crisis action planning for the wing when tasked by higher headquarters. It is responsible for supporting, developing, and managing planning and execution requirements to support all possible wartime contingencies. This functional area plans, implements, and directs wing-level operations and exercises with all base units, local emergency response agencies and joint services in order to meet mission objectives. The Plans office advises the wing commander and staff on the application, updates and taskings for all applicable plans.
Public Affairs
The Public Affairs office has three major areas of responsibility: internal information, media relations and community relations. The office ensures that the wing community and the general public are kept well informed, and that strong relations are maintained between the 166th Airlift Wing and the local community. The PA staff reviews and approves information for release to openly and accurately communicate with the public, produces internal publications, maintains the wing's public web site, and provides information to local and national media outlets. The Visual Information Multimedia office, previously part of the 166th Communications Flight, merged with PA in 2007, bringing skilled video and still photographers into PA.
Safety Office
The wing Safety Office has the primary responsibility of increasing readiness through a progressive mishap prevention program, emphasizing leadership, education and mishap reporting. By reducing hazards and protecting resources, the Safety Office ensures risk is effectively managed at the appropriate level for all personnel. Their goal is to promote an "aggressively safe" attitude for all wing members. The Safety Office also interfaces with agencies in the area such as the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware Department of Transportation, Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police, and local safety councils.
Staff Judge Advocate
The JA office provides professional legal support and advice to command and other staff agencies on a variety of issues, including military justice. In addition, service members and their families and military retirees can receive personal legal assistance on civil matters. Personal civil matters include questions about wills, domestic matters and consumer issues.
Sexual Assault Resource Center
The mission of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program is to give military victims of sexual assault an avenue to seek help and maintain confidentiality in reporting the incidents in a safe and less intrusive process. Trained victim advocates are available for crisis intervention, referrals and on-going support as well as accompaniments to medical appointments and investigative interviews if requested. The program also provides education and awareness of sexual assault issues. The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, or SARC, is available to respond to calls of sexual assault.
Airman and Family Readiness Center
The Airman & Family Readiness Center serves as a one-stop information and referral center for single or married Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, retired, spouses and family members. One of the major functions is offering connections, which ensures military personnel and their families are connected with the appropriate services both on and off base through education, information or referral. The Delaware Air National Guard's Airman and Family Readiness Center offers services and programs through classes and groups, to units and individuals, in a wide variety of topics, such as: community resources, employment assistance, family readiness, deployment support, personal life concerns, retirement, transition assistance and many more!