Wisconsin Air National Guard | |
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Active | 12 November 1940 - present |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Wisconsin |
Branch | Air National Guard |
Role | "To meet state and federal mission responsibilities." |
Part of | Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs United States National Guard Bureau |
Garrison/HQ | Wisconsin Air National Guard, 2400 Wright St., Madison, Wisconsin, 53708 |
Commanders | |
Civilian leadership | President Barack Obama (Commander-in-Chief) Michael B. Donley (Secretary of the Air Force) Governor Scott Walker (Governor of the State of Wisconsin) |
State military leadership | Major General Donald P. Dunbar (Chief of Staff, Adjutant General ) |
Insignia | |
Emblem of the Wisconsin Air National Guard | |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | F-16 Fighting Falcon |
Tanker | KC-135R Stratotanker |
The Wisconsin Air National Guard (WI ANG) is the air force 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.
As state militia units, the units in the Wisconsin Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Wisconsin Air National Guard is headquartered in Madison, and its commander is currently[update] Brigadier General John E. McCoy.
Under the "Total Force" concept, Wisconsin Air National Guard units are considered to be reserve components of the United States Air Force (USAF). Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard consists of the following major units:
Support Unit Functions and Capabilities:
The Wisconsin Air National Guard origins date to 30 July 1940 with the establishment of the 126th Observation Squadron and is oldest unit of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. It is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.
The modern Wisconsin ANG received federal recognition on 25 June 1947 as the 126th Fighter Squadron at General Mitchell Field, Milwaukee. It was equipped with F-51D Mustangs and its mission was the air defense of the state. On 6 October 1948 the 176th Fighter Squadron was formed at Truax Field, Madison, also equipped with F-51D Mustangs with an air defense mission. On 23 June 1948, the 126th Fighter Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level and the 128th Fighter Group was federally recognized at Milwaukee. The 115th Fighter-Interceptor Group was federally recognized at Madison on 15 April 1956 when the 176th Fighter Squadron was expanded to a Group.
Today, the 128th Air Refueling Wing (128th ARW) provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The 115th Fighter Wing (115 FW) files the Block 30 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon fighter and is part of the USAF Air Combat Command attack forces performing air-interdiction and close air support (CAS).
After the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, elements of every Air National Guard unit in Washington 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, Wisconsin 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.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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