144th Fighter Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 144th Fighter Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard
, operationally gained by the Air Combat Command
(ACC) and located at Fresno Air National Guard Base / Fresno Yosemite International Airport
in Fresno, California
.
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
.
Prior to the formation of the United States Air Force as a separate branch of service, the US Army Air Corps first established the Air Corps Ferrying Command on 29 May 1941. Redesignated several times, it became the 1 Troop Carrier Command in July 1942 and trained troop carrier organizations and personnel. Disbanded on 4 Nov 1945. One of its Troop Carrier Wings was the 61st Troop Carrier Wing,active from 1943-1945. Constituted 5 Jun 1943 and activated on 13 Jun. Trained groups, troop carrier replacement personnel, and glider crews. Inactivated on 4 Oct 1945. Redesignated 61st Fighter Wing. The 61st Fighter Wing was allotted to the California Air National Guard
on 24 May 1946.
The origin of the 144th Fighter Wing dates back to 4 April 1948, barely six months after the formation of the Air National Guard in September 1947. On that date, the 61st Fighter Wing received federal recognition at NAS Alameda, Calif., followed by activation of the 194th Fighter Squadron on 25 June 1948. The 61st Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing on 1 November 1950.
The first aircraft assigned as of June 1948 included two T-6s, one B-26, one C-47, one L-17, and two borrowed P-51s. Shortly after the designation P-51 (P for pursuit) was changed to F-51 (F for fighter) and the existing F designator for photographic reconnaissance aircraft was dropped due to a new designation scheme throughout the USAF. Technically, they were P-51s when the 144th received them and changed to F-51s while the 144th flew them. The P-51D and later the P-51H were flown from 1948 until 31 October 1954. During its early years with the P-51D/H, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors. In June 1953, while still flying the P-51, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre jets, the 144th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition.
On 1 November 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 7 July 1955, the Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing, with the 194th becoming the 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The site of the Fresno Air National Guard Base has been used for military aviation since World War II, when it was known as Hammer Field.
The 144th continued to fly the F-86A from 1954 to 31 March 1958. On 1 April 1958, the transition was made to the F-86L, which was flown until 30 June 1964. On 1 July 1964, the 144th began flying the F-102 and continued flying this aircraft until 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974, the 144th brought the F-106 into service, and continued to fly this aircraft until 31 December 1983. On the first of January 1984, the F-4D became the wing's new aircraft, and was flown until 30 September 1989.
In 1979, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was reassigned from the Aerospace Defense Command
(ADC) to the Tactical Air Command
(TAC). On 1 October 1989, the wing began a new era by completing the transition to the air defense version of the F-16A Fighting Falcon, the Air Force's most advanced tactical fighter. 144 FW continued to fly this aircraft until September 1995, when the transition to the newer F-16C became complete. New engines and upgraded avionics make the F-16C among the most potent air defense weapons in the world. The wing's inventory of aircraft includes 18 F-16Cs, and one RC-26B aircraft.
In 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to Air Combat Command. Effective 16 March 1992, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with all related Fighter Interceptor Groups and Squadrons becoming Fighter Groups and Fighter Squadrons.
The 144th Fighter Wing is composed of the Headquarters Group and four subordinate units: Maintenance Group, which consists of the 144th Maintenance Squadron, 144th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and 144th Maintenance Operations Flight; Operations Group, which consists of the 194th Fighter Squadron and 144th Operations Flight; 144 Mission Support Group, which consists of 144th Civil Engineer Squadron, 144th Security Forces Squadron, 144th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 144th Communications Flight, 144th Mission Support Flight, and 144th Services Flight; and the 144th Medical Group.
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. During a Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in 1999, a 144th Fighter Wing four-ship flight achieved simulated kills on four actual MiG-29 aircraft. These were the first-ever MiG-29 kills in a Red Flag exercise.
The lineage of the 144th Fighter Wing all rests under 1st United States Air Force
, activated on 18 December 1940.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 144th Fighter Wing is a unit of the California Air National Guard
California Air National Guard
The California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
, operationally gained by the Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC) and located at Fresno Air National Guard Base / Fresno Yosemite International Airport
Fresno Yosemite International Airport
Fresno Yosemite International Airport , formerly known as Fresno Air Terminal, is a joint civil-military public airport located in eastern Fresno, in Fresno County, California. The airport is more than south of Yosemite National Park on California State Route 41. The airport covers and has two...
in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
.
Mission
The 144th Fighter Wing's mission is to provide air defense protection for California from the Mexican border to OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
utilizing the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
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
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
.
History
California Air National Guard
The California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
on 24 May 1946.
The origin of the 144th Fighter Wing dates back to 4 April 1948, barely six months after the formation of the Air National Guard in September 1947. On that date, the 61st Fighter Wing received federal recognition at NAS Alameda, Calif., followed by activation of the 194th Fighter Squadron on 25 June 1948. The 61st Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing on 1 November 1950.
The first aircraft assigned as of June 1948 included two T-6s, one B-26, one C-47, one L-17, and two borrowed P-51s. Shortly after the designation P-51 (P for pursuit) was changed to F-51 (F for fighter) and the existing F designator for photographic reconnaissance aircraft was dropped due to a new designation scheme throughout the USAF. Technically, they were P-51s when the 144th received them and changed to F-51s while the 144th flew them. The P-51D and later the P-51H were flown from 1948 until 31 October 1954. During its early years with the P-51D/H, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors. In June 1953, while still flying the P-51, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre jets, the 144th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition.
On 1 November 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 7 July 1955, the Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing, with the 194th becoming the 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The site of the Fresno Air National Guard Base has been used for military aviation since World War II, when it was known as Hammer Field.
The 144th continued to fly the F-86A from 1954 to 31 March 1958. On 1 April 1958, the transition was made to the F-86L, which was flown until 30 June 1964. On 1 July 1964, the 144th began flying the F-102 and continued flying this aircraft until 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974, the 144th brought the F-106 into service, and continued to fly this aircraft until 31 December 1983. On the first of January 1984, the F-4D became the wing's new aircraft, and was flown until 30 September 1989.
In 1979, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was reassigned from the Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(ADC) to the Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(TAC). On 1 October 1989, the wing began a new era by completing the transition to the air defense version of the F-16A Fighting Falcon, the Air Force's most advanced tactical fighter. 144 FW continued to fly this aircraft until September 1995, when the transition to the newer F-16C became complete. New engines and upgraded avionics make the F-16C among the most potent air defense weapons in the world. The wing's inventory of aircraft includes 18 F-16Cs, and one RC-26B aircraft.
In 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to Air Combat Command. Effective 16 March 1992, the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with all related Fighter Interceptor Groups and Squadrons becoming Fighter Groups and Fighter Squadrons.
The 144th Fighter Wing is composed of the Headquarters Group and four subordinate units: Maintenance Group, which consists of the 144th Maintenance Squadron, 144th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and 144th Maintenance Operations Flight; Operations Group, which consists of the 194th Fighter Squadron and 144th Operations Flight; 144 Mission Support Group, which consists of 144th Civil Engineer Squadron, 144th Security Forces Squadron, 144th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 144th Communications Flight, 144th Mission Support Flight, and 144th Services Flight; and the 144th Medical Group.
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. During a Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in 1999, a 144th Fighter Wing four-ship flight achieved simulated kills on four actual MiG-29 aircraft. These were the first-ever MiG-29 kills in a Red Flag exercise.
The lineage of the 144th Fighter Wing all rests under 1st United States Air Force
First Air Force
The First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
, activated on 18 December 1940.
Major Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1992 – present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1972–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(1968–1972) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Defense Command (1948–1968)
USAF
- 144th Fighter Wing (1992 – present)
- 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing (1955–1992)
- 144th Fighter Bomber Wing (1950–1955)
- 61st Fighter Wing (1947–1950)
USAAF
- 61st Troop Carrier Wing (5 June 1943 – 4 Nov 1945)
- 1 Troop Carrier Command (Jul 1942 - 4 Nov 1945)
- Air Transport Command (30 April 1942)
- Army Air Forces Ferrying Command (31 March 1942)
- Army Air Forces Ferry Command (9 March 1942)
- Army Air Corps Ferrying Command (29 May 1941)
Groups and Squadrons assigned
- 144th Operations Group (144 OG)
- 194th Fighter Squadron194th Fighter SquadronThe 194th Fighter Squadron is an aviation unit of the California Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 144th Fighter Wing. The 194th is located at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, CA...
(194 FS) - 144th Operations Support Flight (144 OSF)
- 194th Fighter Squadron
- 144th Maintenance Group (144 MXG)
- 144th Maintenance Squadron (144 MXS)
- 144th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (144 AMS)
- 144th Maintenance Operations Flight (144 MOF)
- 144th Mission Support Group (144 MSG)
- 144th Security Forces Squadron (144 SFS)
- 144th Civil Engineering Squadron (144 CES)
- 144th Logistics Readiness Squadron (144 LRS)
- 144th Communications Flight (144 CF)
- 144th Mission Support Flight (144 MSF)
- 144th Base Services Flight (144 BSF)
- 144th Base Contracting Office (144 BCO)
- 144th Medical Group (144 MDG)
Bases stationed
- Fresno Yosemite International AirportFresno Yosemite International AirportFresno Yosemite International Airport , formerly known as Fresno Air Terminal, is a joint civil-military public airport located in eastern Fresno, in Fresno County, California. The airport is more than south of Yosemite National Park on California State Route 41. The airport covers and has two...
/ Fresno ANGB (1957 – present)- March Air Reserve BaseMarch Air Reserve BaseMarch Joint Air Reserve Base is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's 4th Air Force Headquarters and the 452d Air Mobility Wing , the largest air mobility wing of the 4th Air Force...
(Detachment 1) (1999 – present)
- March Air Reserve Base
- Hayward Air National Guard Base (1949–1957)
- Naval Air Station AlamedaNaval Air Station AlamedaNaval Air Station Alameda was a United States Navy Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, on San Francisco Bay.NAS Alameda had two runways: 07-25 and 13-31...
(1947–1949)
Aircraft operated
- RC-26B Metroliner (1995 – present)
- F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (1995 – present)
- F-16A Fighting Falcon (1989–1995)
- F-4D Phantom II (1983–1989)
- F-106 Delta DartF-106 Delta DartThe Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. Designed as the so-called "Ultimate Interceptor", it has proven to be the last dedicated interceptor in USAF service to date...
(1974–1983) - F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
(194-1974) - F-86L Sabre (1958–1964)
- F-86A Sabre (1954–1958)
- P-51 MustangP-51 MustangThe North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
(1948–1954) - L-17 Navion (1948–1954)
- C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1948–1954) - B-26 MarauderB-26 MarauderThe Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
(1948–1954) - T-6 TexanT-6 TexanThe North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
(1948–1954)