184th Intelligence Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 184th Intelligence Wing is located at McConnell AFB, Kansas
. It is one of three Air National Guard
wings that works with the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency.
The 184th Intelligence Wing encompasses a variety of missions at the federal, state, and community levels.
1. Federal: providing combat support for our nation—Guardsmen from our wing provide wartime support in the form of collecting and analyzing intelligence. Some unit members deploy overseas to augment active duty forces.
2. State: support to civil authority—The unit's primary responsibility is to the state of Kansas to assist civil authorities during natural disasters and civil strife in our state.
3. Community—Members of the 184th add value to our local communities by holding an annual science and technology camp for local kids (called STARBASE
), hosting games of the Kansas Special Olympics, and volunteering in various charitable activities.
The 184th Intelligence Wing has a proud history and a wealth of tradition. The unit was activated to federal service during WWII, the Korean War
, and the Vietnam War
, and has been honored with five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for exceptionally meritorious service.
Upon federal recognition as the 127th Observations Squadron on 4 August 1941, the unit was equipped with one BC-1A, one C-47, and four L-1 aircraft. The unit was on extended active duty in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 6 October 1941 to 6 October 1945 with duty in Tennessee and Okinawa, Japan.
Reorganized and re-designated the 127th Fighter Squadron on 7 September 1946, the unit began flying the P-51 Mustang
. In December 1949, the unit received the F-84 Thunderjet. Mobilized for the Korean War on 10 October 1950, the 127th transferred to England AFB in Alexandria, Louisiana, became part of the 137th Fighter Bomber Wing and deployed to Chaumont, France.
On 9 July 1952, after 21 months on active duty, the newly designed 127th Fighter Bomber Squadron returned to Wichita. For the following year, due to the shortage of jets in Korea, the unit once again flew the F-51 Mustang. In June 1954, the unit began flying the F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter.
Re-designated the 127th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in January 1958, the unit began flying the F-86 Sabre Jet. In April 1961, the 127th began flying the F-100 Super Sabre
and was designated the 127th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
ON 1 October 1962, as the whole Air National Guard reorganized into Groups and Wings, the 184th Tactical Fighter Group was born. In January 1968, after the North Korean seizure of the USS Pueblo, the 184th was ordered to active duty, deployed to Kunsan Air Base
, South Korea, and became a part of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing until released from active duty and returned to state control in June 1969.
On 25 March 1971, the unit became the 184th Tactical Fighter Training Group, a USAF Combat Crew Training School that conducted pilot training in the F-105 Thunderchief
for the next nine years.
On 1 October 1973, the 184th assumed responsibility for operating and maintaining the Smoky Hill Weapons Range at Salina, Kansas. With a land area of over 36000 acres (145.7 km²), Smoky Hill is the largest and most active Air National Guard weapons range in the country. Soon to be Great Plains Regional Training Center, Smoky Hill is on the leading edge of joint forces training.
On 7 August 1979, the 184th received its first F-4D Phantom II and on 8 October 1979 was re-designated the 184th Tactical Fighter Group, equipped with 50 F-4Ds. In April 1982, the 184th developed the F-4D Fighter Weapons Instructor Course and became the “Top Gun” school to meet the needs of active, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard
fighter aircrews for the Tactical Air Command
(TAC).
The 134th Tactical Control Flight, established at McConnell AFB on 15 September 1982, began providing much needed tactical radar control for the 184th fighter training mission.
A second flying squadron, the 177th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, established on 8 February 1984, became responsible for all F-4D conversion and upgrade training. To meet the F-4 training needs, the 184th flew up to 1,000 sorties a month.
On 8 July 1987, the 184th activated the 161st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron to conduct conversion and upgrade training in the F-16 Fighting Falcon
.
The F-4 “Phantom Farewell,” held on 31 March 1990, saw the last F-4’s depart the 184th and the 177th began its conversion to the F-16. The 161 TFTS began converting to F-16 C/D when the first C/D model arrived at McConnell in July 1990. With the deactivation of TAC and stand-up of the newly-established Air Combat Command
(ACC) in March 1992, the 184th dropped “Tactical” from its name, becoming a fighter group with fighter squadrons. The 134th was also re-designated the 134th Air Control Squadron.
In 1992 and 1993, the 184th won top honors for best maintenance in Air National Guard. At the same time, it was the largest guard unit in the country with 77 F-16s. In July 1993, the 184th Fighter Group became part of the newly established Air Education and Training Command
(AETC).
In July 1994, the unit was re-designated 184th Bomb Group and began converting to the B-1 Lancer
, also known as the "Bone," and once again became part of ACC. On 1 October 1995, the 184th became the 184th Bomb Wing (184 BW). The unit made history on 1 April 1996 when it became the first Air National Guard operational heavy bombardment wing in the country. As it had during its fighter years, the 184th excelled at maintenance, winning the Maintenance Effectiveness Award in 1998 and 2000.
In August 2002, the wing converted to the 184th Air Refueling Wing (184 ARW), flying the KC-135R Stratotanker. The 184 ARW gained four additional missions on 1 October 2002: the 184th Information Operations Group, 161st Intelligence Squadron, 177th Information Aggressor Squadron, and the 299th Network Operations Security Squadron.
In June 2007, the wing’s KC-135s were realigned to its sister unit, the 190th Air Refueling Wing
(190 ARW) at Forbes Field (former Forbes AFB) in Topeka, Kansas. This left the wing to capitalize on and grow its information and intelligence missions. It became the 184th Intelligence Wing that year.
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 184th Intelligence Wing is located at McConnell AFB, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. It is one of three Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The 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...
wings that works with the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency.
Mission
Intelligence gathering, information protection, threat deterrenceThe 184th Intelligence Wing encompasses a variety of missions at the federal, state, and community levels.
1. Federal: providing combat support for our nation—Guardsmen from our wing provide wartime support in the form of collecting and analyzing intelligence. Some unit members deploy overseas to augment active duty forces.
2. State: support to civil authority—The unit's primary responsibility is to the state of Kansas to assist civil authorities during natural disasters and civil strife in our state.
3. Community—Members of the 184th add value to our local communities by holding an annual science and technology camp for local kids (called STARBASE
STARBASE
STARBASE Youth Program is a nonresidential educational program for students that provides them with real-world applications of math and science. It was created in 1991 through a grant from the Kellogg Foundation. The first STARBASE program began at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan...
), hosting games of the Kansas Special Olympics, and volunteering in various charitable activities.
History
The 184th Intelligence Wing has more than 1300 personnel, more than half of which are traditional, part-time Guardsmen. The wing’s estimated economic impact during fiscal year 2006 was $113 million. Major equipment operated includes the DTS 10.2 Distributed Common Ground Station.The 184th Intelligence Wing has a proud history and a wealth of tradition. The unit was activated to federal service during WWII, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and has been honored with five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for exceptionally meritorious service.
Upon federal recognition as the 127th Observations Squadron on 4 August 1941, the unit was equipped with one BC-1A, one C-47, and four L-1 aircraft. The unit was on extended active duty in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 6 October 1941 to 6 October 1945 with duty in Tennessee and Okinawa, Japan.
Reorganized and re-designated the 127th Fighter Squadron on 7 September 1946, the unit began flying the P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The 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...
. In December 1949, the unit received the F-84 Thunderjet. Mobilized for the Korean War on 10 October 1950, the 127th transferred to England AFB in Alexandria, Louisiana, became part of the 137th Fighter Bomber Wing and deployed to Chaumont, France.
On 9 July 1952, after 21 months on active duty, the newly designed 127th Fighter Bomber Squadron returned to Wichita. For the following year, due to the shortage of jets in Korea, the unit once again flew the F-51 Mustang. In June 1954, the unit began flying the F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter.
Re-designated the 127th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in January 1958, the unit began flying the F-86 Sabre Jet. In April 1961, the 127th began flying the F-100 Super Sabre
F-100 Super Sabre
The 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...
and was designated the 127th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
ON 1 October 1962, as the whole Air National Guard reorganized into Groups and Wings, the 184th Tactical Fighter Group was born. In January 1968, after the North Korean seizure of the USS Pueblo, the 184th was ordered to active duty, deployed to Kunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base
Kunsan Air Base , is a United States Air Force base located on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is at the town of Gunsan about 150 miles south of Seoul. The town can be romanized as both Gunsan and Kunsan...
, South Korea, and became a part of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing until released from active duty and returned to state control in June 1969.
On 25 March 1971, the unit became the 184th Tactical Fighter Training Group, a USAF Combat Crew Training School that conducted pilot training in the F-105 Thunderchief
F-105 Thunderchief
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
for the next nine years.
On 1 October 1973, the 184th assumed responsibility for operating and maintaining the Smoky Hill Weapons Range at Salina, Kansas. With a land area of over 36000 acres (145.7 km²), Smoky Hill is the largest and most active Air National Guard weapons range in the country. Soon to be Great Plains Regional Training Center, Smoky Hill is on the leading edge of joint forces training.
On 7 August 1979, the 184th received its first F-4D Phantom II and on 8 October 1979 was re-designated the 184th Tactical Fighter Group, equipped with 50 F-4Ds. In April 1982, the 184th developed the F-4D Fighter Weapons Instructor Course and became the “Top Gun” school to meet the needs of active, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The 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...
fighter aircrews for 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).
The 134th Tactical Control Flight, established at McConnell AFB on 15 September 1982, began providing much needed tactical radar control for the 184th fighter training mission.
A second flying squadron, the 177th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, established on 8 February 1984, became responsible for all F-4D conversion and upgrade training. To meet the F-4 training needs, the 184th flew up to 1,000 sorties a month.
On 8 July 1987, the 184th activated the 161st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron to conduct conversion and upgrade training in 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...
.
The F-4 “Phantom Farewell,” held on 31 March 1990, saw the last F-4’s depart the 184th and the 177th began its conversion to the F-16. The 161 TFTS began converting to F-16 C/D when the first C/D model arrived at McConnell in July 1990. With the deactivation of TAC and stand-up of the newly-established 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) in March 1992, the 184th dropped “Tactical” from its name, becoming a fighter group with fighter squadrons. The 134th was also re-designated the 134th Air Control Squadron.
In 1992 and 1993, the 184th won top honors for best maintenance in Air National Guard. At the same time, it was the largest guard unit in the country with 77 F-16s. In July 1993, the 184th Fighter Group became part of the newly established Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
(AETC).
In July 1994, the unit was re-designated 184th Bomb Group and began converting to the B-1 Lancer
B-1 Lancer
The Rockwell B-1 LancerThe name "Lancer" is only applied to the B-1B version, after the program was revived. is a four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force...
, also known as the "Bone," and once again became part of ACC. On 1 October 1995, the 184th became the 184th Bomb Wing (184 BW). The unit made history on 1 April 1996 when it became the first Air National Guard operational heavy bombardment wing in the country. As it had during its fighter years, the 184th excelled at maintenance, winning the Maintenance Effectiveness Award in 1998 and 2000.
In August 2002, the wing converted to the 184th Air Refueling Wing (184 ARW), flying the KC-135R Stratotanker. The 184 ARW gained four additional missions on 1 October 2002: the 184th Information Operations Group, 161st Intelligence Squadron, 177th Information Aggressor Squadron, and the 299th Network Operations Security Squadron.
In June 2007, the wing’s KC-135s were realigned to its sister unit, the 190th Air Refueling Wing
190th Air Refueling Wing
The United States Air Force's 190th Air Refueling Wing is an aerial refueling unit located at Forbes Field, Kansas.-History:...
(190 ARW) at Forbes Field (former Forbes AFB) in Topeka, Kansas. This left the wing to capitalize on and grow its information and intelligence missions. It became the 184th Intelligence Wing that year.
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...
(1962–1992) - 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...
/Air Defense Command (1950–1962)
Previous designations
- 184th Intelligence Wing (2007–Present)
- 184th Air Refueling Wing (2002–2007)
- 184th Bomb Wing (1995–2002)
- 184th Bomb Group (1992–1995)
- 184th Tactical Fighter Group (1979–1992)
- 184th Tactical Fighter Training Group (1971–1979)
- 184th Tactical Fighter Group (1962–1971)
- 184th Air Defense Wing (1950–1962)
Units assigned
- 184th Intelligence Group
- 161st Intelligence Squadron161st Intelligence SquadronThe 161st Intelligence Squadron is a unit of the Kansas Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 184th Intelligence Wing. It operates the Distributed Common Ground System.-Mission:...
- 161st Intelligence Squadron
- 184th Regional Support Group
- 127th Command and Control Squadron
- 249th Air Support Operations Squadron
- Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range
- 177th Information Aggressor Squadron
- 299th Network Operations Security Squadron
- 134th Air Control Squadron
- 284th Air Support Operations Squadron
- 184th Medical Group
Bases stationed
- McConnell AFB, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(1969–Present) - Kunsan Air BaseKunsan Air BaseKunsan Air Base , is a United States Air Force base located on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is at the town of Gunsan about 150 miles south of Seoul. The town can be romanized as both Gunsan and Kunsan...
, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
(1968–1969) - McConnell AFB, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(1952–1968) - Alexandria Army Air Base, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
(1950–1952)- Deployed to Chaumont, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- Deployed to Chaumont, France
- TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
and Okinawa, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1941–1949)
Aircraft Operated
- KC-135R Stratotanker (2002–2007)
- B-1B Lancer (1994–2002)
- F-16 Fighting FalconF-16 Fighting FalconThe 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...
(1987–1993) - F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
(1979–1990) - F-105D/F Thunderchief (1971–1979)
- 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...
(1961–1971) - F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1958–1961) - F-80 Shooting Star (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...
(1952–1954) - F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
(1949–1952) - 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...
(1946–1949) - North American BC-1A (1941-1946?)
- 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...
(1941-1946?) - L-1 Vigilant (1941-1946?)