144th Fighter Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 144th Fighter Wing


caption= 144th Fighter Wing emblem
dates= 1950 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force/Air National Guard
type= Wing
role= Fighter Support
size=
command_structure= United States Air Force/Air National Guard
current_commander= Jonathan S. Flaughercite web|url= http://www.144fw.ang.af.mil/resources/biographies/bio.asp?id=10812|title= Colonel Jonathan S. Flaugher|accessdate= 2008-04-11|publisher= Air National Guard]
garrison= Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California
ceremonial_chief=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=
aircraft_fighter= 18 F-16C Fighting Falcon
aircraft_trainer= 1 F-16D Fighting Falcon
aircraft_transport= 1 C-26A Metroliner

The United States Air Force's 144th Fighter Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard located at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California.

Mission

The 144th Fighter Wing's mission is to provide air defense protection for California from the Mexican border to Oregon utilizing the F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter aircraft. The 144th also supports the nation's Counter Drug Program and responds to state emergencies when requested by the Governor of California. [http://www.144fw.ang.af.mil/ 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard]

History

The origin of the 144th Fighter Wing dates back to April 4, 1948. On that date, the 61st Fighter Wing received federal recognition at Alameda, CA, followed by activation of the 194th Fighter Squadron on June 25, 1948. On November 1, 1950 the 61st Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing. [http://www.militarymuseum.org/144FW.html California State Militia and National Guard Unit Histories: 144th Fighter Wing]

On November 1, 1954, the 194th accomplished the transition from the P-51 to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno followed by the 144th three years later. On July 7, 1955, the Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing, with the 194th becoming the 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

In 1979, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was reassigned from the Air Defense Command to the Tactical Air Command. On October 1, 1989, the wing completed the transition the F-16A Fighting Falcon. The 144th continued to fly this aircraft until September 1995, when the transition to the newer F-16C became complete.

In 1992, the 144th was reassigned to Air Combat Command, and on March 16 of the same year the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing.

Throughout its history the 144th has earned a number of honors and distinctions. The wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1967, 1973, 1978, 1988 and 1994. Other honors include winning the William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons meet at Tyndall AFB in Florida, and numerous maintenance and safety awards. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/144fw.htm 144th Fighter Wing] During a Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in 1999, a 144th Fighter Wing four-ship flight killed four actual MiG-29s. These were the first-ever MiG-29 kills in a Red Flag exercise.

Assignments

Major Command

*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-Present)
*Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1972-1992)
*Air National Guard/Air Defense Command (1948-1972)

Previous designations

*144th Fighter Wing (1992-Present)
*144th Fighter Interceptor Wing (1955-1992)
*144th Fighter Bomber Wing (1950-1955)
*61st Fighter Wing (1947-1950)

quadrons assigned

* 194th Fighter Squadron

Bases stationed

*Fresno Yosemite International Airport (1957-Present)
**March Air Reserve Base (Detachment 1) (1999-Present)
*Alameda Naval Air Station (1947-1957)

Aircraft operated

*RC-26B Metroliner (???-Present)
*F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (1995-Present)
*F-16A Fighting Falcon (1989-1995)
*F-4D Phantom II (1983-1989)
*F-106 Delta Dart (1974-1983)
*F-102 Delta Dagger (194-1974)
*F-86L Sabre (1958-1964)
*F-86A Sabre (1954-1958)
*P-51 Mustang (1948-1954)
*L-17 Navion (1948-???)
*C-47 Skytrain (1948-???)
*B-26 Marauder (1948-???)
*T-6 Texan (1948-???)

Decorations

* [http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AwardsNet/SearchUnitAwards.aspx?Mode=Graphics Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)]
**

References

External links

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/144fw.htm 144th Fighter Wing - GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://calairdefense.com/ California Air Defense Association - Save the 144th Fighter Wing]