Montana Air National Guard | |
---|---|
Active | 27 June 1947 - present |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Montana |
Branch | Air National Guard |
Role | "To meet state and federal mission responsibilities." |
Part of | Montana Department of Military Affairs |
Garrison/HQ | Montana Air National Guard Headquarters, 2800 Airport 2nd Street, Great Falls, Montana, 59404 |
Commanders | |
Civilian leadership | President Joe Biden (Commander-in-Chief) Frank Kendall III (Secretary of the Air Force) Governor Greg Gianforte (Governor of the State of Montana) |
State military leadership | Brigadier General Buel J. Dickson |
Insignia | |
Emblem of the Montana Air National Guard/120th Airlift Wing | |
Aircraft flown | |
Transport | C-130H Hercules |
The Montana Air National Guard (MT ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Montana, United States of America. Along with the Montana Army National Guard it is an element of the Montana National Guard.
As state militia units, the units in the Montana Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Montana though the office of the Montana Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Montana Air National Guard is headquartered in Great Falls, and its commander is currently [update] Brigadier General Buel J. Dickson.
Under the "Total Force" concept, Montana Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Montana 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, they 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 obligations, Montana ANG elements are subject to activation by the Governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety.[ citation needed ] 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.
The Montana Air National Guard consists of the following major unit:
Support Unit Functions and Capabilities:
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. [2]
Lt. Col. Willard Sperry, a decorated combat pilot, began building the Montana Air National Guard at Gore Field, Great Falls. On 27 June 1947, the 186th Fighter Squadron was activated and federally recognized. Within two weeks, six F-51D Mustangs arrived. Its mission was the air defense of the state. [3] 18 September 1947, however, is considered the Montana 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. [2]
On 1 July 1955 the 186th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 120th Fighter Group (Air Defense) was allotted by the National Guard Bureau, extended federal recognition and activated.
Today the Montana ANG performs an airlift mission, equipped with C-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft.
After the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, elements of every Air National Guard unit in Montana 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, Montana 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.
Notable members of the Montana Air National Guard include the likes of champion bowler MSgt Thoroughman, ex-crew chief and Red Dick winner Ed Moyer, and "The Man" Monte Howse.
The Texas Air National Guard (TX ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Texas, United States of America. It is, along with the Texas Army National Guard, an element of the Texas National Guard. No element of the Texas Air National Guard is under United States Air Force command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Texas through the office of the Texas Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Texas Air National Guard is headquartered at Camp Mabry, Austin, and its chief of staff is Brigadier General Matthew Barker.
The Colorado Air National Guard (CO ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Colorado, United States of America. It is, along with the Colorado Army National Guard, an element of the Colorado National Guard. The units of the Colorado Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Colorado through the office of the Colorado Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Colorado Air National Guard is headquartered in Centennial, and its commander is currently Major General H. Michael Edwards.
The Georgia Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Georgia, United States of America. It is, along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard.
The Missouri Air National Guard (MO ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Missouri, United States of America. It is, along with the Missouri Army National Guard, an element of the Missouri National Guard.
The Kentucky Air National Guard (KY ANG) is the aerial militia of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States of America. It is, along with the Kentucky Army National Guard, an element of the Kentucky National Guard.
The West Virginia Air National Guard (WV ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of West Virginia, United States of America. It is, along with the West Virginia Army National Guard, an element of the West Virginia National Guard, and is also closely associated with the United States Air Force.
The New York Air National Guard (NY ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of New York, United States of America. It is, along with the New York Army National Guard, an element of the New York National Guard.
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.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard (WI ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Wisconsin, United States of America. It is, along with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, an element of the Wisconsin National Guard.
The Arkansas Air National Guard, commonly known as the Arkansas Air Guard, is the aerial militia of the State of Arkansas, United States of America. It is, along with the Arkansas Army National Guard, an element of the Arkansas National Guard. As state militia units, the units in the Arkansas Air National Guard are not typically in the normal United States Air Force chain of command unless federalized. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Arkansas through the office of the Arkansas Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Arkansas Air National Guard is headquartered at North Little Rock, and its commander is currently Brigadier General Thomas D. Crimmins.
The Nevada Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Nevada, United States of America. Along with the Nevada Army National Guard, it is an element of the Nevada National Guard. The units of the Nevada Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Nevada through the office of the Nevada Adjutant General unless it is federalized by order of the President of the United States.
The 138th Fighter Wing is a unit of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, stationed at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base at Tulsa International Airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If activated to federal service as a United States Air Force unit, the 138 FW is gained by the Air Combat Command (ACC).
The 140th Wing is a unit of the Colorado Air National Guard, stationed at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.
The Indiana Air National Guard (IN ANG) is the aerial militia of the state of Indiana, United States of America. It is, along with the Indiana Army National Guard, an element of the Indiana National Guard.
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, along with the Mississippi Army National Guard, an element of the Mississippi National Guard.
The North Carolina Air National Guard (NCANG) is the aerial militia of the State of North Carolina, United States of America. It is, along with the North Carolina Army National Guard, an element of the North Carolina National Guard.
The North Dakota Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of North Dakota, United States. Along with the North Dakota Army National Guard, it is an element of the North Dakota National Guard.
The 140th Operations Group is a unit of the Colorado Air National Guard, stationed at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado. If activated to federal service, the group is gained by Air Combat Command of the United States Air Force.
The 186th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the Montana Air National Guard 120th Airlift Wing located at Great Falls International Airport, Montana. The 186th is equipped with the C-130H Hercules.
The 120th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Montana Air National Guard, stationed at Great Falls Air National Guard Base at Great Falls International Airport, Montana. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.