Alabama Air National Guard

Last updated

Alabama Air National Guard
Emblem of the Alabama Air National Guard.svg
Shield of the Alabama Air National Guard
Active21 January 1922 – present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
AllegianceFlag of Alabama.svg  Alabama
Branch US-AirNationalGuard-2007Emblem.svg Air National Guard
Type state militia, reserve force
Role"Provides mission ready forces to the federal government and the Governor of Alabama, while providing assistance to the citizens and civil authorities during natural disasters or emergencies under the command of the Adjutant General."
Part of Seal of the Alabama National Guard.svg Alabama National Guard
United States National Guard Bureau
National Guard
Garrison/HQJFHQ-AL, 1720 Cong. W. L. Dickinson Dr., Montgomery, AL 36109
Motto(s)"Always Ready, Always There"
Commanders
Civilian leadershipPresident Joe Biden
(Commander-in-Chief)
Frank Kendall III
(Secretary of the Air Force)
Governor Kay Ivey
(Governor of the State of Alabama)
State military leadership Brigadier General David K. Pritchett
(The Adjutant General)
Brigadier General Tara D. McKennie
(Assistant Adjutant General-Air and Air Component Commander)
Brigadier General Edward D. Casey
(Chief of Staff-Air)
Aircraft flown
Fighter F-35A Lightning II
Tanker KC-135R Stratotanker

The Alabama Air National Guard (AL ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Alabama, United States of America. It is, along with the Alabama Army National Guard, an element of the Alabama National Guard.

Contents

As state militia units, the units in the Alabama Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command unless federalized. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Alabama through the office of the Alabama Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Alabama Air National Guard is headquartered in Montgomery, and its commander is Major General Sheryl E. Gordon.

Overview

Under the "Total Force" concept, Alabama Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Alabama ANG units are trained and equipped by the Air Force and are operationally gained by a Major Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Alabama Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window.

Along with their federal reserve obligations, as state militia units the elements of the Alabama ANG are subject to being activated by order of the governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. State missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense.

Components

The Alabama Air National Guard consists of the following major units:

Established 21 January 1922 (as: 106th Observation Squadron); operates: KC-135R Stratotanker
Stationed at: Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base, Birmingham
Gained by: Air Mobility Command
The 117th Air Refueling Wing flies the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. Its mission is to train and equip combat ready aircrews and support personnel to perform worldwide aerial refueling and airlift missions. [1]
Established 1 October 1947 (as: 160th Fighter Squadron); operates: F-35A Lightning II
Stationed at: Dannelly Field Air National Guard Base (aka Montgomery Regional Airport), Montgomery
Gained by: Air Combat Command
Flies F-35A Lightning II fighter for air defense, air superiority, and air sovereignty. [2]
Established 18 June 1954 (as: 225th Radio Relay Squadron)
Stationed at Abston Air National Guard Station; Montgomery
Gained by: Air Combat Command
The Group commands, organizes, trains, equips, and administers expeditionary communications squadrons.

History

Origins

The Alabama Air National Guard origins date to 27 August 1917 with the establishment of the 106th Aero Squadron as part of the World War I American Expeditionary Force. The 106th served in France on the Western Front, then after the 1918 Armistice with Germany was demobilized in 1919.

A Curtiss JN-6H of the 106th Observation Squadron, 1922 106th Observation Squadron Curtiss JN-6H.jpg
A Curtiss JN-6H of the 106th Observation Squadron, 1922

The Militia Act of 1903 established the present National Guard system, units raised by the states but paid for by the Federal Government, liable for immediate state service. If federalized by presidential order, they fall under the regular military chain of command. On 1 June 1920, the Militia Bureau issued Circular No.1 on organization of National Guard air units. [3]

The squadron was reformed on 21 January 1922 as the 125th Squadron, Alabama National Guard, received federal recognition as a Corps Aviation unit. (It was re-designated the 135th Observation Squadron on 25 January 1923 and then it was re-designated the 114th Observation Squadron as an aviation unit the 39th Division on 1 May 1923. On 16 January 1924, it was re-designated the 106th Observation Squadron as an aviation unit in the 31st Division.) Maj. James A. Meissner, a World War I ace who had flown with Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, led the effort to form the unit and served as its first commander. It is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II. [4]

The 106th Observation Squadron was ordered into active service on 125 November 1940 as part of the buildup of the Army Air Corps prior to the United States entry into World War II.

Alabama Air National Guard

On 24 May 1946, the United States Army Air Forces, in response to dramatic postwar military budget cuts imposed by President Harry S. Truman, allocated inactive unit designations to the National Guard Bureau for the formation of an Air Force National Guard. These unit designations were allotted and transferred to various State National Guard bureaus to provide them unit designations to re-establish them as Air National Guard units. [5]

The modern Alabama ANG received federal recognition on 25 November 1946 as the 106th Bombardment Squadron (Light) at Birmingham MAP (Sumpter Smith Field). It was equipped with B-26B/C Invaders and was assigned to Tactical Air Command. 18 September 1947, however, is considered the Alabama Air National Guard's official birth concurrent with the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate branch of the United States military under the National Security Act. [5]

On 1 October 1947 the 117th Fighter Group allotted by the National Guard Bureau, extended federal recognition and activated at Birmingham, with the 106th Bomb Squadron being assigned to the unit. The 160th Fighter Squadron at Montgomery was authorized by the National Guard Bureau and recognized also on 1 October 1947. The 160th was equipped with the F-51D Mustang and its mission was the air defense of the state. On 15 October 1962, the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 187th Tactical Reconnaissance Group was established by the National Guard Bureau. The 160th TRS becoming the group's flying squadron.

"Red Tails" F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 100th Fighter Squadron in Montgomery 100th Fighter Squadron F-16s with Romanian Air Force MiG-21s.jpg
"Red Tails" F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 100th Fighter Squadron in Montgomery

In 2007, the Alabama legislature requested the National Guard Bureau to allow the Alabama Air National Guard 160th Fighter Squadron to be re-designated as the 100th Fighter Squadron so the state could honor the legacy of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. This was obtained from the Air Force and on 12 September 2009, the 100th Flying Training Squadron was inactivated. The designation was transferred to the National Guard Bureau by the Air Force and it was allotted to the Alabama ANG. As a result, the 160th Fighter Squadron was inactivated, and the new 100th Fighter Squadron assumed its personnel, equipment and aircraft.

Today, the 117th Air Refueling Wing (117 ARW) provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The 187th Fighter Wing (187 FW) operated the F-16 Fighting Falcon and deploys around the world as part of Air Expeditionary Forces. On April 21, 2023, the 187th Fighter Wing retired its inventory of F-16s after 35 years of service. Preparations began to take delivery of new production F-35A Lightning II aircraft, with initial delivery scheduled for December 2023. [6]

After the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, elements of every Air National Guard unit in Alabama has been activated in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Flight crews, aircraft maintenance personnel, communications technicians, air controllers and air security personnel were engaged in Operation Noble Eagle air defense overflights of major United States cities. Also, Alabama ANG units have been deployed overseas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq as well as other locations as directed.

Role in the Bay of Pigs Invasion

According to information from Seymour M. Hersh, author of The Dark Side of Camelot during early preparations to the Bay of Pigs Invasion, President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally asked then-Governor of Alabama John Malcolm Patterson (who served as a lieutenant in Eisenhower's staff during the World War II) to use the aircraft of Air National Guard of Alabama (Patterson, as governor, was commander-in-chief of the guard) by Cuban émigrés to attack and pilots to train them in deep secret in Nicaragua. Patterson agreed and then-commander, Major General George R. Doster was ordered to oversee all operation.[ citation needed ]

Notable personnel

In late 1972 and early 1973, he drilled with the 187th Fighter Wing.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Oregon Air National Guard (OR ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Oregon, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Oregon Army National Guard an element of the Oregon National Guard of the United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Georgia Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Georgia, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force, and along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Jersey Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The New Jersey Air National Guard (NJ ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of New Jersey, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the New Jersey Army National Guard, an element of the New Jersey National Guard of the larger United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Ohio Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Ohio, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Ohio Army National Guard an element of the Ohio National Guard of the larger United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pennsylvania Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PA ANG) is the aerial militia of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard an element of the Pennsylvania National Guard of the larger United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The New York Air National Guard (NY ANG) is the aerial militia of the U.S. state of New York. It is an element of the New York National Guard as part of the larger Air National Guard, a reservist force under the command of the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Tennessee Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Tennessee, United States of America. It is, along with the Tennessee Army National Guard an element of the Tennessee National Guard of the larger United States National Guard Bureau and a reserve of the United States Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">117th Air Refueling Wing</span> Military unit

The 117th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard, stationed at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base Birmingham, Alabama. If activated to federal service, it is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisconsin Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Wisconsin Air National Guard (WI ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Wisconsin, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, an element of the Wisconsin National Guard, National Guard and United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Iowa Air National Guard (IA ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Iowa, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Iowa Army National Guard, an element of the Iowa National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">187th Fighter Wing</span> Military unit

The 187th Fighter Wing is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard, assigned to Dannelly Field, Alabama. If activated to federal service in the United States Air Force, the 187 FW is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Washington Air National Guard (WA ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Washington, United States. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Washington Army National Guard an element of the Washington National Guard and of the much larger United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Kansas Air National Guard (KS ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Kansas, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Kansas Army National Guard, an element of the Kansas National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Air National Guard</span> Military unit

The Mississippi Air National Guard, commonly known as the Mississippi Air Guard, is the aerial militia of the State of Mississippi, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Mississippi Army National Guard, an element of the Mississippi National Guard of the much larger United States National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">106th Air Refueling Squadron</span> Military unit

The 106th Air Refueling Squadron is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard 117th Air Refueling Wing. It is assigned to Birmingham Air National Guard Base, Alabama and is equipped with the KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">112th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 112th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing located at Toledo Air National Guard Base, Ohio. The 112th is equipped with the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">100th Fighter Squadron</span> United States Air National Guard fighter wing

The 100th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing located at Dannelly Field, Alabama. The 100th is equipped with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">160th Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 160th Fighter Squadron is an inactive unit of the Alabama Air National Guard. It was last assigned to the 187th Fighter Wing, stationed at Montgomery Air National Guard Base, Alabama. It was inactivated on 13 September 2007, with personnel and equipment being transferred to the 100th Fighter Squadron. The unit was reactivated as 160th Attack Squadron of the 163rd Attack Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montgomery Air National Guard Base</span> Military airbase in Alabama, US

Montgomery Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">117th Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 117th Operations Group is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard, stationed at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base, Alabama. If activated into federal service, it is gained by Air Mobility Command.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. 117th Air Refueling Wing website
  2. 187th Fighter Wing website
  3. ANG Chronology 1908–2007, see also Brief History of the Minnesota Air National Guard and the 133rd Airlift Wing, 1.
  4. "117th ARW History page". Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  5. 1 2 Rosenfeld, Susan and Gross, Charles J (2007), Air National Guard at 60: A History. Air National Guard history program AFD-080527-040 Archived 13 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Farewell to over 35 years flying the Viper". 187th Fighter Wing. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2024.