it was organized once more in november 1967 in the panama canal zone, replacing the 5700th air base wing. the wing assumed operation and maintenance responsibilities for howard and albrook air force bases and a special operations mission that included air transport, paramilitary operations, exercise participation, civic actions in central and south america, search and rescue missions, humanitarian operations, mercy missions, aeromedical evacuation, and support of army special forces, u.s. military assistance units, and training of latin american air forces. from its activation in 1967 until mid-1972, the 24th wing operated the usaf tropic survival school at albrook. it also controlled various rotational detachments from 1967–1987. the wing lost uh–1 helicopters and control of search and rescue missions in the area after 1 march 1983. the wing inactivated on 31 january 1987, its subordinate components reassigned directly to the usaf southern air division.