179th Airlift Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 179th Airlift Wing is a military airlift organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard
and located at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport
, Ohio
. The 179th AW is currently reequipping from the C-130 Hercules
to the C-27 Spartan to provide direct airlift support to the United States Army
.
The 164th Fighter Squadron was formed and federally recognized at Mansfield Municipal Airport
on 20 June 1948 after community leaders and veterans formed an advisory committee chaired by Colonel Alan P. Tappan. with the objective of locating an Air National Guard Unit in Mansfield, Ohio
.
With the Air National Guard providing nearly 50% of the USAF’s tactical airlift capability, the 179th AW supported combat and humanitarian operations and exercises around the world, including:
Due to BRAC 2005, the wing was to have lost its aircraft by late summer 2010. Its assigned C-130H Hercules
aircraft were dispersed to Little Rock Air Force Base
, Arkansas
, and Maxwell Air Force Base
, Alabama
. However, due to the base's superior record and recommendations for reconsideration by state and local officials, the base was incorporated into the Ohio Air National Guard's future by receiving a bridge mission of flying a C-21 mission until it becomes operational in the C-27J Spartan.
On July 20, 2008, the 179th AW continued its growth by the standing up of the 200th Red Horse (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers
) detachment. The Mansfield base has been assigned with 200 Red Horse personnel and another 200 will be assigned to Port Clinton. A new building across the airfield is to be constructed to house the attachment with an approximated completion in 2010.
The 179th AW, along with the 175th Wing
of the Maryland Air National Guard
, was the first unit to train and deploy the C-27J in 2010. It is expected to achieve initial operational capability in October 2010 and make its first combat deployment, to Afghanistan
, in March 2011.
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 179th Airlift Wing is a military airlift organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard
Ohio Air National Guard
The Ohio Air National Guard is a part of the United States National Guard and an Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force. It is composed of approximately 5,000 airmen and officers assigned to four flying wings and eight non-flying support units. OHANG units are based in Columbus,...
and located at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport
Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport
Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport is a city-owned, joint civil-military, public-use airport located three miles north of the central business district of Mansfield, a city in Richland County, Ohio, United States....
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The 179th AW is currently reequipping from the C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
to the C-27 Spartan to provide direct airlift support to the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Mission
To develop highly qualified operations, logistics, support and medical professionals who provide airlift to serve the state and nation.History
The 179th Airlift Wing is located at Mansfield Lahm Airport in Mansfield, Ohio. The wing's 179th Operations Group and its subordinate 164th Airlift Squadron are in the process of equipping with and training crews in the C-27J Spartan tactical airlifter.The 164th Fighter Squadron was formed and federally recognized at Mansfield Municipal Airport
Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport
Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport is a city-owned, joint civil-military, public-use airport located three miles north of the central business district of Mansfield, a city in Richland County, Ohio, United States....
on 20 June 1948 after community leaders and veterans formed an advisory committee chaired by Colonel Alan P. Tappan. with the objective of locating an Air National Guard Unit in Mansfield, Ohio
Mansfield, Ohio
Mansfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Richland County. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio in the western foothills of the Allegheny Plateau, approximately southwest of Cleveland and northeast of Columbus....
.
With the Air National Guard providing nearly 50% of the USAF’s tactical airlift capability, the 179th AW supported combat and humanitarian operations and exercises around the world, including:
- Volant Oak (Panama) 1979 - 1999
- Volant Partner (Germany) 1987 - 1992
- Reforger (Alaska) 1983
- Operation Desert Shield (Saudi Arabia) 1990
- Operation Desert Storm (Kuwait) 1991
- Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) 1992–1993
- Operation Provide Promise (Bosnia) 1993–1994
- Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia) 1996–1999
- Operation Joint Guard (Bosnia) 1998–1999
- Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia) 1999–2002
- Operation Southern Watch (Mid-East) 1996–1999
- Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti) 1994
- Operation Shining Hope (Kosovo) 1999
- Operation Noble Eagle 2001-2002
- Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) 2003-2004 (550 total missions)
- Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) 2003-2004 (2100 total missions)
Due to BRAC 2005, the wing was to have lost its aircraft by late summer 2010. Its assigned C-130H Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
aircraft were dispersed to Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.-Overview:...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, and Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. However, due to the base's superior record and recommendations for reconsideration by state and local officials, the base was incorporated into the Ohio Air National Guard's future by receiving a bridge mission of flying a C-21 mission until it becomes operational in the C-27J Spartan.
On July 20, 2008, the 179th AW continued its growth by the standing up of the 200th Red Horse (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers
Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers
United States Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers units are the Service's equivalent of the USMC Combat Engineers and Navy Seabees....
) detachment. The Mansfield base has been assigned with 200 Red Horse personnel and another 200 will be assigned to Port Clinton. A new building across the airfield is to be constructed to house the attachment with an approximated completion in 2010.
The 179th AW, along with the 175th Wing
175th Wing
The United States Air Force's 175th Wing is a composite fighter and tactical airlift unit located at Warfield Air National Guard Base at the Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland...
of the Maryland Air National Guard
Maryland Air National Guard
The Maryland Air National Guard is the air force component of the militia of the U.S. state of Maryland. As a dual-status organization, it is also considered a reserve component of the United States Air Force.-Mission:...
, was the first unit to train and deploy the C-27J in 2010. It is expected to achieve initial operational capability in October 2010 and make its first combat deployment, to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, in March 2011.
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 Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(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...
/Military Airlift CommandMilitary Airlift CommandThe Military Airlift Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command of the USAF which was headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. It was constituted on 1 January 1966 and active until the end of the Cold War, when the Air Force table of organization was revised...
(1976–1992) - 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...
/Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
(1962–1976) - 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 (1957–1962) - 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...
(1948–1957) - 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...
(1946–1948)
Previous designations
- 179th Airlift Wing (1 October 1995–present)
- 179th Airlift Group (16 March 1992-1 October 1995)
- 179th Tactical Airlift Group (5 January 1976-16 March 1992)
- 179th Tactical Fighter Group (19 October 1962-5 January 1976)
- 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron (20 June 1948-19 October 1962)
- 363rd Fighter Squadron (1942–1946)
Squadrons assigned
- 179th Operations Group
- 164th Airlift Squadron164th Airlift SquadronThe 164th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 179th Airlift Wing.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command...
(1958–Present)- 179th Operations Support Flight
- 179th Mission Support Group
- 179th Communications Flight
- 179th Mission Support Flight
- 179th Security Forces Squadron
- 179th Civil Engineer Squadron
- 179th Services Flight
- 179th Aerial Port Flight
- 179th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 179th Maintenance Group
- 179th Maintenance Squadron
- 179th Aircraft Generation Squadron
- 179th Logistics Squadron
- 179th Logistics Support Flight
- 179th Medical Squadron
Aircraft Operated
- C-27 Spartan (2010-)
- C-21A (Military version of the Learjet 35) (2010-?)
- C-130 HerculesC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1976-2010?) - F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super SabreThe North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
(1972–1976) - F-84F ThunderstreakF-84F ThunderstreakThe Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was an American-built swept-wing turbojet fighter-bomber. While an evolutionary development of the straight-wing F-84 Thunderjet, the F-84F was a new design. The RF-84F Thunderflash was a photo reconnaissance version....
(1958–1972) - F-80 Shooting Star (1953–1955)
- 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...
(1948–1953) - P-47 ThunderboltP-47 ThunderboltRepublic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
(1946–1948) - 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...
(1944–1946)
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- Outstanding Ohio Air National Guard Unit
- Outstanding Air National Guard Airlift/Tanker unit
- Maj Gen John T. Pesch Flight Safety Award
- Air National Guard Comptroller Organization of the Year
- MAC Outstanding Intelligence Branch of the Year
- Air National Guard Maintenance Effectiveness Award
- First runner-up 21AF Outstanding Reserve Forces Unit