Except for a short period following its activation and two years during the Vietnam War when it had squadrons flying the Fairchild C-123 Provider, the division's operational units were equipped with the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

[4] The 839th supported forces deployed during the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis in October through November 1962 and the Dominican Civil War from April 1965 to September 1966.

[1] Although the 463d Wing moved from Sewart to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia in July 1963,[4] the C-130 training mission remained behind.

As American participation in the Vietnam War increased, the division's wings frequently deployed elements as large as squadrons to the Pacific.

Finally, in January 1966, the 314th Troop Carrier Wing moved to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base (usually called "CCK") on Taipei and was reassigned.

[9] Three months later, in October 1966 the 313th Troop Carrier Wing, at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas was activated and assigned to the division.