Wing 6 (; ) is a transport wing within the Combat Force and a direct unit of the Royal Thai Air Force. It is stationed at Don Mueang AFB, Don Mueang district, Bangkok. The wing was established on 12 April 1941.

History

World War II Wing 6 was established on 12 April 1941 and initially served as Thailand's first bomber wing during the Pacific War, under the designation No. 6 Wing Group. Its first commander was Group Captain Sakol Rasanont. The unit consisted of two squadrons, equipped with Martin B-10 (B-3) and Mitsubishi Ki-21 (B-4) based at Don Mueang Air Base, with forces redeployed to other locations as required by wartime conditions, including:

Lom Sak Airfield Ban Phae Airfield Ko Kha Airfield Khok Kathiam AFB Phu Khiao Airfield

In 1946, the unit returned to Don Mueang Air Base, comprising three squadrons: Squadron 61, Squadron 62, and Squadron 63. In 1949, after all bomber aircraft were retired, the unit was renamed from No. 6 Wing Group to the Airlift Wing. New aircraft were introduced, including Beechcraft Model 18 (C-1), Douglas C-47 Skytrain (C-2), Douglas C-54 Skymaster (C-3), North American T-6 Texan (T-8), liaison aircraft, and helicopters. Its missions included airlift operations, central pilot training support, search and rescue, liaison flights, and other assigned tasks.

Korean War Between 1951 and 1976, the Royal Thai Air Force transport aviation units participated in the Korean War. Three C-47 (C-2) aircraft departed Thailand on 18 June 1951, arriving at Tachikawa Airfield, Japan, on 23 June 1951. The unit conducted operations with the United Nations forces until 1968, after which it transitioned to Fairchild C-123B Provider (C-4) aircraft. After completing its mission, the unit returned to Thailand on 30 July 1976, totaling 25 years of operational involvement related to the Korean War.

During this period, in 1953, the unit was renamed from Airlift Wing back to No. 6 Wing Group, becoming directly subordinate to the Operations Wing. In 1963, it was redesignated Wing 6, placed directly under the Royal Thai Air Force, a status it has retained to the present day.

Organization Wing 6 is administratively organized into 2 groups, 4 squadrons, 7 departments, and 1 division, as follows:

Groups

Headquarters Group Technical Group

Squadrons 601st Squadron "Lucky" Transport Aircraft Type 8 (C-8): Lockheed C-130 Hercules (short fuselage) and C-130H-30 (stretched fuselage) 602nd Squadron "Wihok" Transport Aircraft Type 15 (C-15): Airbus A319 Transport Aircraft Type 15A (C-15A): Airbus A320 Transport Aircraft Type 19 (C-19): Airbus A340-500 603rd Squadron "Cowboy" Transport Aircraft Type 16 (C-16): ATR 72-500 Transport Aircraft Type 16A (C-16A): ATR 72-600 Transport Aircraft Type 18 (C-18): Sukhoi Superjet 100 604th Squadron "Sunny" Training Aircraft Type 14 (T-14): Cessna T-41 Training Aircraft Type 16 (T-16): PAC CT/4 Airtrainer Reconnaissance and Transport Aircraft Type 20 (RT-20): Piaggio P.180 Avanti Royal Thai Air Force Aircraft Type 6: RTAF-6 Training Aircraft Type 21 (T-21): DA40 NG, DA42 Twin Star

Departments

Finance Department Flight Operations Support Department Civil Engineering Department Transportation Department Logistics Department Welfare Department Military Airport Operations Department

Other Units

Wing Hospital RTAF Security Force Battalion, Wing 6 Military Police Company Flight Unit 2034

Aircraft PhotoAircraftOriginRoleIn serviceNotes601st SquadronLockheed C-130 HerculesTactical airlift12 602nd SquadronAirbus A319VIP/Transport1 Airbus A320VIP/Transport2 Airbus A340-500VIP/Transport1 Boeing 737-400VIP/Transport1Boeing 737-800HM the King's transport2603rd SquadronATR 72-500ATR 72-600VIP/Transport36 Superjet 100LRVIP/Transport2 604th SquadronT-41D MescaleroTrainer aircraft36 PAC CT/4 AirtrainerTrainer aircraft Piaggio P.180 AvantiReconnaissance/Transport1RTAF-6Trainer aircraft Diamond DA40 Diamond StarTrainer aircraft8

Location

Wing 6 is located at Don Mueang AFB, where all squadrons are also stationed.

Task

Wing 6 is a direct unit of the Royal Thai Air Force responsible for a wide range of aviation operations, including: Royal and VIP air transport, providing flight operations for His Majesty the King, members of the Royal Family, and other dignitaries Airlift operations and aeromedical evacuation Wildfire control operations Flight training, including the training of cadet pilots, special flight training, and basic training for aircraft commanders Support for Royal Thai Air Force civil aviation training units Pilot training in aircraft test flying and prototype flight testing

Wing 6 also serves as the primary wing for disaster relief operations, both domestically and internationally, conducting airlift missions to deliver humanitarian assistance from the Thai government to affected populations and to friendly nations. Notable missions include: Humanitarian assistance following the April 2015 Nepal earthquake Relief operations after the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes Flood relief operations in Thailand (2024)

Additionally, Wing 6 has been responsible for the evacuation of Thai nationals from high-risk areas, such as during the Sudanese civil war and the Gaza War

Notes

References

External links