The wing was equipped with Curtiss C-46 Commandos and Douglas C-47 Skytrains, but also flew trainer aircraft under the supervision of the 2472d Air Force Reserve Training Center.

[2] The 442d was once again activated at Olathe in June 1952,[2] when it absorbed the resources of the 926th Reserve Training Wing, which was simultaneously inactivated.

Sixteen Ton was performed entirely by reserve troop carrier units and moved United States Coast Guard equipment From Floyd Bennett Naval Air Station to Isla Grande Airport in Puerto Rico and San Salvador in the Bahamas.

[2][note 2] To resolve the mobilization problem, at the start of 1962 ConAC determined to reorganize its reserve wings by establishing groups with support elements for each of its troop carrier squadrons.

The 442d again returned to the operational control of TAC and in October 1982, the wing was inactivated while its 442d Tactical Fighter Group continued to train on the new aircraft.

In 1992, as part of another USAF-wide reorganization, TAC was inactivated and the 442d was renamed as the 442d Fighter Wing under the newly established Air Combat Command.

On a recurring basis from December 1993, the wing deployed personnel and aircraft to Aviano Air Base, Italy, to participate in operations over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It also deployed personnel and aircraft to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch, in September and October 1998.

18 August 2016, the 442nd returned from a deployment to Ämari Air Base, Estonia in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

[19][20] On 2 November 2019, Lt. Col. Tony "Crack" Roe and Maj. John "Sapper" Tice, pilots with the 442nd's 303rd Fighter Squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions that helped to save the lives of many U.S. servicemen in their respective close air support missions in Afghanistan.

[22] Squadrons This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency