182d Airlift Wing

Last updated

182d Airlift Wing
C-130-Peoria-Illinois ANG.jpg
C-130 of the 182d Airlift Wing Taxiing at Peoria Air National Guard Base
Active1946-Present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Branch US-AirNationalGuard-2007Emblem.svg   Air National Guard
TypeWing
RoleAirlift
Part of Illinois Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ Peoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois
Motto(s)Defenders of Freedom
Tail Code"Peoria" Orange stripe
DecorationsOutstanding Unit Award with nine oak leaf clusters
Website https://www.182aw.ang.af.mil/
Commanders
Current
commander
Colonel Daniel R. McDonough
Insignia
182 AW Emblem 182d Airlift Wing insignia AFD-080128-056.svg

The 182d Airlift Wing (182 AW) is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, stationed at Peoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

Contents

Overview

The 182nd Airlift Wing's C-130H3 Hercules mission is to perform the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The 182nd Airlift Wing's mission is to provide the president of the United States, the governor of the state of Illinois and the adjutant general of Illinois Airmen capable of providing C-130 airland and airdrop; joint terminal attack control and support; command, control and communications; logistics; civil engineering; security; and support services for the nation, state of Illinois, and domestic community. [1]

Units

The 182d Airlift Wing consists of the following units:

169th Airlift Squadron

History

169th TFS F-84F 51-9414 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron General Motors F-84F-30-GK Thunderstreak 51-9414.jpg
169th TFS F-84F 51-9414
OA-37B Dragonfly aircraft from the 169th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 1984 OA-37B-1.jpg
OA-37B Dragonfly aircraft from the 169th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 1984

What is now the 169th Airlift Squadron originated during World War II as the 304th Fighter Squadron, which was activated on 23 July 1942. The 304th was assigned to the 337th Fighter Group at the Pinellas County Airport, Florida, and served as an operational training unit equipped with the P-39 Airacobra and the P-40 Warhawk. The 304th was disbanded 1 May 1944, and reconstituted 24 May 1946, re-designated the 169th Fighter Squadron and allocated to the Illinois National Guard. [1]

The 169th Fighter Squadron held its first drill in December 1946 under the command of Lt. Col. Ralph Pickering, and it received federal recognition on 21 June 1947. The unit consisted of 40 officers and 215 Airmen by the end of its first year. The original base consisted of a shale runway and a single hangar for eight F-51 Mustang fighters, four AT- 6 Texan trainers and a B-26 Marauder tow target plane. The first annual training was held at Chicago Municipal Airport, now known as Chicago Midway International Airport, with flying done at Douglas Field, now known as O'Hare International Airport. In 1952, the 169th Fighter Squadron was re-designated the 169th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and then the 169th Fighter Bomber Squadron. [1]

A large construction project had expanded the base facilities by 1953, and in 1954 the 169th obtained the copyright for the Indian Chief, the cartoon character from Walt Disney's feature film "Peter Pan", to display as their emblem. The squadron received its first F-84F Thunderstreak in 1958. [1]

The unit flew the first ever Air National Guard air- to-air refueling mission in 1961. [1] On 15 October 1962, the Illinois Air National Guard authorized the 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron to expand to a group level, and the 182d Tactical Fighter Group was established by the National Guard Bureau on 15 October 1962. The 169th TFS became the group's flying squadron, equipped with F-84F Thunderstreaks. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 182d Headquarters, 182d Material Squadron (Maintenance), 182d Combat Support Squadron, and the 182d USAF Dispensary.

During the 1960s the squadron continued to operate its F-84F Thunderstreaks, and the unit was not activated during the Vietnam War. In May 1969, the F-84Fs were retired and 182d TFG was re-designated as the 182d Tactical Air Support Group (TASG); flying Forward Air Control (FAC) missions. The 169th was equipped with light observation U-3A/B Blue Canoe and in January 1970, the O-2A Skymaster aircraft. The group's mission being to perform visual reconnaissance, as the FAC flew light aircraft slowly over the rough terrain at low altitude to maintain constant aerial surveillance over a combat area. By patrolling the same area constantly, the FACs grew very familiar with the terrain, and they learned to detect any changes that could indicate enemy forces hiding below. Members of the 182d TASG provided relief assistance during state active duty for the Canton tornado disaster in July 1975. In 1976, the 182d TASG was awarded its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

In 1979, the squadron received OA-37B Dragonfly jet FAC aircraft from the New York and Maine Air National Guard, continuing the FAC mission. The 182d TASG received an "Excellent" rating on its first Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) under the 12th Air Force, and the group was awarded its second Air Force Outstanding Unit award in 1985. In January 1991, 138 group personnel were called to active duty during the 1991 Gulf War and deployed to United States Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF).

Post Cold War era

In March 1992 the A-37s were finally retired. and the group received the Block 15 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Air Defense Fighter (ADF). It was re-designated as the 182d Fighter Group on 15 March. In June 1993, members served on state active duty in response to the Mississippi River flooding of southern Illinois.

Due to government budget constraints and military restructuring after the Cold War, the 182d FG converted to the C-130E Hercules and was re-designated the 182d Airlift Wing (AW) effective 1 October 1995. In 1996, the wing began participation in ongoing flying missions for Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. In 1997, the 182d AW celebrated its 50th anniversary and received an "Excellent" in its first Air Mobility Command (AMC) ORI.

Global War on Terrorism

C-130H3 at Kandahar, 2010 182nd Airlift Wing Illinois Air National Guard C-130 H3 Hercules at Kandahar Airfield in 2010.jpg
C-130H3 at Kandahar, 2010

After the 9-11 terrorist attacks, members of the wing were called up to support the Air Force at various locations around the world. During a September 2002 deployment to Oman, wing aircraft flew combat supply missions into Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. On 29 March 2003, SSgt Jacob Frazier of the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) was killed in action while serving with Army Special Forces in Afghanistan. He was the first member of the wing to die in combat.

In March 2003, immediately following mobilization, six aircraft and over 350 personnel were deployed to Minhad, United Arab Emirates, for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These airmen returned in August after providing airlift support throughout the theater. Since that mobilization, smaller numbers of wing personnel and aircraft have continually supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. On 28 December 2003, a wing crew delivered earthquake relief supplies to Iran, becoming the first US aircraft to land there since 1981.

Beginning in January 2005, the wing converted from the C-130E to the newer H3 model. In October 2006, the wing received a rating of "Excellent" after serving as the lead wing during an AMC ORI. On 3 February 2007, the wing was awarded its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period from 1 August 2003 to 31 July 2005. Some personnel remain deployed to combat zones as part of Air and Space Expeditionary units while other members of the wing continue routine worldwide support to the Air Force.

In 2017, 182d deployed four C-130H3 aircraft together with maintenance and aircrew to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia for a four-month Operation Inherent Resolve deployment, supporting U.S. and Iraqi forces in Iraq. [2] [3]

July 2019 saw 182d participate in the annual Exercise Northern Strike 19 in Northern Michigan. Crew undertook missions included simulated attacks from surface to air missiles and cargo air drops coordinated with ground JTACs. [4] The wing's aircraft were operating from the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan. [5]

Lineage

Assignments

Gained by: Tactical Air Command
Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992
Gained by: Air Mobility Command, 1 October 1995-Present [1]

Components

Stations

Designated: Peoria Air National Guard Base, Illinois, 1991-Present

Aircraft

Decorations

Related Research Articles

Illinois Air National Guard The unit of the US Air National Guard for the State of Illinois

The Illinois Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Illinois, United States of America. It is, along with the Illinois Army National Guard, an element of the Illinois National Guard.

109th Airlift Wing Unit of the NY Air National Guard assigned to provide Arctic and Antarctic airlift operations

The 109th Airlift Wing is a unit of the New York Air National Guard, stationed at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Schenectady, New York. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

167th Airlift Wing

The 167th Airlift Wing is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard, stationed at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, Martinsburg, West Virginia. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

118th Wing

The 118th Wing is a unit of the Tennessee Air National Guard, stationed at Berry Field Air National Guard Base, Nashville, Tennessee. The 118th is equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper. If activated to federal service, it is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

136th Airlift Wing Unit of the Texas Air National Guard

The 136th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Texas Air National Guard, stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC).

130th Airlift Wing

The 130th Airlift Wing is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard, stationed at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

154th Wing

The 154th Wing is a unit of the Hawaii Air National Guard, stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii. If activated to federal service, the Wing is placed under the command of the Pacific Air Forces.

179th Airlift Wing

The 179th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard, stationed at Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Mansfield, Ohio. If activated to federal service with the United States Air Force, the Wing is gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC).

146th Airlift Wing Unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Oxnard

The 146th Airlift Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Oxnard, California. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

153d Airlift Wing

The 153d Airlift Wing is a unit of the Wyoming Air National Guard, stationed at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base, Wyoming. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

165th Airlift Wing

The 165th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard, stationed at Savannah Air National Guard Base, in the U.S. state of Georgia. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

143d Airlift Squadron

The 143d Airlift Squadron is a unit of the Rhode Island Air National Guard 143d Airlift Wing located at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island. The 143d is equipped with the C-130J Hercules.

192d Airlift Squadron

The 192d Airlift Squadron is a unit of the Nevada Air National Guard 152d Airlift Wing located at Reno Air National Guard Base, Nevada. The 192d is equipped with the C-130H Hercules.

198th Airlift Squadron Former flying squadron of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard 156th Airlift Wing

The 198th Airlift Squadron was the last flying squadron of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PRANG) 156th Airlift Wing located at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The 198th last assigned aircraft was the WC-130H Hercules. The 198th was established in October 1944 as the 463d Fighter Squadron, was re-designated as the 198th and allotted to the PRANG in May 1946, re-designated from fighter to airlift in October 1998, and was deactivated on 31 December 2019.

167th Airlift Squadron

The 167th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the West Virginia Air National Guard 167th Airlift Wing located at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, Martinsburg, West Virginia. It is equipped with the C-17 Globemaster III, heavy airlifter.

169th Airlift Squadron

The 169th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard 182d Airlift Wing located at Peoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois. The 169th is equipped with the C-130H3 Hercules.

195th Fighter Squadron

The 195th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Arizona Air National Guard 162d Fighter Wing located at Tucson Air National Guard Base, Arizona. The 195th is equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

107th Attack Wing

The 107th Attack Wing is a unit of the New York Air National Guard, stationed at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York. The 107th is equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command.

Peoria Air National Guard Base

Peoria Air National Guard Base, located in Peoria County, Illinois, is the base of the 182d Airlift Wing, an Air Mobility Command (AMC)-gained unit of the Illinois Air National Guard and "host" wing for the installation. Located at Greater Peoria Regional Airport, at this joint civil-military airport.

145th Airlift Wing

The 145th Airlift Wing is a unit of the North Carolina Air National Guard. It is assigned to Charlotte Air National Guard Base, North Carolina and is equipped with the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. If activated to federal service in the United States Air Force, the 145th is gained by Air Mobility Command.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates  public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/ .

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "History of the 182nd Airlift Wing". 182nd Airlift Wing. Retrieved 11 December 2019.PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Supporting the fight and breaking records" . Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  3. "History of the 182nd Airlift Wing" . Retrieved 20 August 2019.PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. "C-130 aircrew performs combat airdrops at Northern Strike 19" . Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  5. "Peoria C-130 crew performs integrated air drop training during Northern Strike 19" . Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  6. Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991) Archived 2 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine