Oregon Air National Guard

Oregon Air National Guard
Active	1946 - present
Country	United States
Branch	Air National Guard
Role	"To meet state and federal mission responsibilities."
Motto	"When we are needed, we are there."
Commanders
Civilian leadership	President Barack Obama (Commander-in-Chief) Michael B. Donley (Secretary of the Air Force) Governor John Kitzhaber (Governor of the State of Oregon)
State military leadership	Major General Raymond F. Rees
Insignia
USAF Roundel
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F-15C/D Eagle

The Oregon Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is, along with the Oregon Army National Guard, an element of the Oregon National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state.

Overview

The Oregon Air National Guard operates the Portland Air National Guard Station at the Portland International Airport, Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, and the Camp Rilea Air Station in Warrenton where it trains and equips members to provide national defense and security, public disaster assistance, and search and rescue operations. ^[1]

Units

The Oregon Air National Guard program comprises the following:

114th Fighter Squadron

Main article: 114th Fighter Squadron

F-15C Eagle fighter from the 114th Fighter Squadron, in 2003.

This squadron is located with the 173d Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

The 114th Fighter Squadron was formed as a training squadron for Air National Guard F-4 Phantom II pilots in the Air Defense role in 1983. The 114th transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1989. Again the 114th Fighter Squadron was teaching the Air Defense role. The 114th Fighter Squadron also held an alert mission for a time as part of the NORAD network. The Ready Alert structures are still present at Kingsley Field where the 114th is based.

The squadron converted from F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to the F-15 aircraft in 1998. The 173d Fighter Wing has 19 PAI currently assigned. The fighter wing is assigned to the US Air Forces Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and is one of the primary "school houses" for F-15 pilots.

The 114th is currently expanding and taking on a larger role. As F-15C and F-15D operations in CONUS are disestablished and shifted to the [[Air National Guard, and as the Regular Air Force's 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall AFB, Florida divests itself from the F-15 Eagle training role in order to concentrate on F-22 Raptor training, the 173d Fighter Wing will assumed all F-15C/D training for CONUS-based Air National Guard pilots, maintenance personnel, and similar Regular Air Force personnel slated for the Air Force's remaining active duty F-15C/D units in England and Japan. During 2007, the 114th is due to receive five F-15s from other squadrons. The first of these new aircraft came from Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida.

116th Air Control Squadron

Main article: 116th Air Control Squadron

Located at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center near Warrenton/Astoria, Oregon.

The 116th ACS is a deployable radar/communications unit with superior mobility and response to the world's and local missions. They were the first unit to be activated in Oregon for Operation Noble Eagle, and they were the last to come off of that activation.

The 116th Aircraft Control Squadron was constituted and allotted to the National Guard effective 24 May 1946. On 8 July 1946 the 116th Aircraft Control Squadron was authorized to organize at Marietta AAB, Georgia and was assigned to the 154th Aircraft Control & Warning Group. Federal recognition was received 10 December 1946.

The unit was alerted for federal service on 6 December 1950. On 3 January 1951 the unit was notified it would be redesignated and reorganized as the 116th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron (Tactical) effective after 18 January 1951. The unit was activated on 8 January 1951 as the 116th Aircraft Control Squadron. A station change followed, 15 January 1951, to Sewart AFB, Tennessee. Redesignated and reorganized as the 116th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron (Tactical) and assigned to the 154th Aircraft Control & Warning Group (Tactical) occurred on 5 February 1951. From 9 to 20 February 1951 messages and letters changed the redesignation portion of the original messages and orders; so as, the 116th was redesignated 116th Tactical Control Squadron effective 5 February 1951 and assigned to the 154th Tactical Control Group. The unit was redesignated and reorganized as the 116th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron effective 6 July 1951 and assigned to the 154th Aircraft Control & Warning Group.

The unit was alerted for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and foreign service on 20 August 1951. Notified, 8 October 1951, of movement through NYPE and Casablanca, French Morocco for further movement as directed by Commanding General, USAF. On 14 November 1951 the readiness date for relocation changed from 1 December 1951 to 1 March 1952. The unit departed Sewart AFB, Tennessee on 2 June 1952 and arrived at Casablanca, French Morocco on 16 June 1952. The unit arrived at Nouasseur, French Morocco (PCS) on 11 August 1952. On 20 August 1952 the unit moved to Rabat Sale, French Morocco another PCS. The unit was relieved from active military service, less personnel and equipment, and returned to NGB control on 8 October 1952. The 116th Tactical Control Squadron (Control and Reporting Center) was constituted and allotted, 27 May 1971, with station at Portland ANG Base, Oregon and assigned to the 153rd Tactical Control Group. Federal recognition was received on 9 June 1971. The unit was reassigned to the 154th Tactical Control Group effective 1 April 1976. Redesignation as the 116th Tactical Control Flight occurred 1 May 1987. The unit moved (PCS) to Camp Rilea, Oregon effective 19 September 1988 and was designated 116th Tactical Control Squadron effective 15 October 1988. The unit designation changed to the 116th Air Control Squadron effective 16 June 1992.

Activations (Partial and Unit)

Deployments

• 1971 Portland ANG Base, Oregon In-garrison 17 members to Volk Field WI
• 1972 Portland ANG Base, Oregon In-garrison 15–29 July, Guard Strike IV (Westacs)
• 1973 Boise, Idaho Sentry Westacs II South of Gowen Field
• 1974 Portland ANG Base, Oregon In-garrison
• 1975 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon
• 1976 Portland ANG Base, Oregon In-garrison 14-28 Aug
• 1977 Coyote Lake, Fort Irwin, CA Brave Shield XVI 5–23 July
• 1978 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Taurus Beach 78 5-19 Aug
• 1979 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Taurus Beach 79 7–21 July
• 1980 North Bend AFS, Oregon Felix Brave 23 Feb - 1 Mar
• 1980 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Taurus Beach III 12–26 July
• 1981 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Felix Keynote 81-4 Sept
• 1982 Yakima Firing Range, Yakima, WashingtoGnolden Blade 82 1–15 May
• 1983 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Sentry Eagle 83
• 1984 Portland ANG Base/North Bend ANGS 14–28 July
• 1985 Kingsley Field/Swan Lake Peak Kingsley Field Deployment 85-1 7-22 Sep
• 1986 Portland, ANG Base, Oregon Inland Viking 11–27 July
• 1986 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Beaver Hunt 86 17–19 July
• 1987 Portland ANG Base, Oregon Road Warrior
• 1988 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Beaver Hunt 88
• 1988 Camp Rilea Unit Relocation October October
• 1988 Bear River Ridge
• 1989 Panama Sentry Eagle 89-3 Aug
• 1989 Pedro Dome, AK Brim Frost 89 18 Jan-4 Feb
• 1989 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Beaver Hunt 89\ 12-17June
• 1990 Camp Pendelton, California Sentry Eagle 90-3 4-19 Aug
• 1990 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Beaver Hunt 90 June
• 1990 Laredo, Texas Anchor Mark V Aug -1 Oct (?)
• 1991 Angie III\ Feb - May 91
• 1991 Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic
• 1992 Dominican Republic Angie III
• 1992 Tonopah, NV Green Flag 92-5
• 1993 Letica Columbia,
• 1993 Tonopah, NV Green Flag 93-3
• 1994 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon In-garrison
• 1995 Tonopah, NV Green Flag 95-3
• 1996 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon In-garrison
• 1997 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon In-garrison/ORI
• 1998 Italy Operation Deliberate Guard May-July (Personnel Only)
• 1998 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Weasel Hunt 98
• 1999 Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Sentry West 99
• 2000 Pedro Dome, AK Cope Thunder, Northern Edge
• 2000 Jackson, WY Noble Eagle 2000
• 2001 NAS Whidbey Is. WA Noble Eagle Oct 2001-2002
• 2001 Nevada Red Flag
• 2002 Neah Bay, WA & Mt Hebo, OR May (?) - June (?) 2002
• 2002 Jackson Hole, WY 2 July 2002 - 9 Sep 2003
• 2003 Grand Teton National Park, WY Operation Noble Eagle
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006 Afghanistan 06 Sep 2006 - 07 Jan 2007
• 2007 US/Mexican border Operation JumpStart
• 2008 US/Mexican border Operation JumpStart, Afghanistan ONE
• 2009 Afghanistan ONE Sep 2008 - Feb 2009

116th timeline

Air Control Squadron Allotted: 24 May 1946 to ANG

Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron (Tactical), Marietta Army Air Base, Georgia Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee July 1951 – 8 October 1952

Tactical Control Squadron Portland, Air National Guard Base, Oregon Relocated: Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon October 1988 9 June 1971 – 1 May 1987

Tactical Control Flight Portland, Air National Guard Base, Oregon Relocated: Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon October 1988 1 May 1987 – 16 June 1992

Air Control Squadron Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon Redesignated: ACS 16 June 1992 Equipment: MPS-11A, TPS-40, TPS-43E, TPS-75, replacement radar August 1975 due to structural failures.

123d Fighter Squadron

Main article: 123d Fighter Squadron

Previously designated as the 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, the squadron was renamed the 123d Fighter Squadron in 1992. The 123d Fighter Squadron reports to the 142d Fighter Wing.

The squadron converted to the F-15 aircraft in 1989/90, with most of those planes coming from the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at McChord AFB, which was being disbanded.

The Unit has been flying the F-15 Eagle fighter since 1989 . - The 142d Fighter Wing has 15 PAI and 3 BAI/AR F-15A and F-15B Eagles. The unit is presently converting to F-15C and F-15D Eagles. Two of its aircraft sit alert in support of NORAD 24 hours a day.

123d Weather Flight

125th Special Tactics Squadron

Main article: 125th Special Tactics Squadron

Located on Portland Air National Guard Base (PANGB). It is one of only two of this type of unit in the Air National Guard. It was officially established on 1 May 2005.[1] As of that date, it is the Air National Guard's newest unit. Located at the Portland International Airport, the 125 STS is currently hiring Special Operations Weather Team members (SOWT), as well as Combat Controllers (CCT). SOWT candidates at the 125 STS have the unique requirement to integrate fully into the existing CCT team structure, as well as perform the historical function of Special Operations Weather support to ALL SOF capable military units, particularly Army Special Forces.

142d Fighter Wing

Main article: 142d Fighter Wing

A F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 142d Fighter Wing out Portland, Oregon pulls away from a KC-135 Tanker aircraft after refueling.

The history of the Oregon Air National Guard and the 142d Fighter Wing began just prior to World War II when the United States, monitoring the war raging in Europe and China, began focusing less on neutrality and more on preparedness. Answering the call to arms, Major G. Robert Dodson, an Oregonian serving with the 321st Observation Squadron Reserve at Pearson Field, Vancouver, Washington, requested the National Guard Bureau's authorization to form an Oregon flying unit. His short, official request- "We've got people, we've got a place, and we're ready!"- launched the 123d Observation Squadron on April 18, 1941.

Five months later the squadron was federally activated under different unit designations flying the O-47, BC-1A and later the F-5 reconnaissance version of the P-38 in the China-Burma theatre and with others serving in Europe. At the war's end, the unit regrouped as the 123d Fighter Squadron. By 1946, the ever-expanding unit was redesignated the 142d Fighter Interceptor Group.

In 1951, the group mobilized in support of the Korean War. After supporting the Korean War it remained very active in air defense matters through the intervening Cold War years, eventually becoming a Fighter Wing in 1995. Since its creation the wing has flown the O-47, BC-1A, F-5, F-51, B-25J, F-86, F-94, F-89, F-102, F-101, F-4C, T-33 and a host of support aircraft. Today the fighting "Redhawks" are proud to continue service as a component of the Total Force in defense of our nation flying the F-15C/D, providing both continuous air defense and air superiority capabilities. With more than 1,000 officers and airmen, the unit guards the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour alert as part of the North American Air Defense system.

As a vital asset to Air Combat Command and Air Expeditionary Force structures, the 142d Fighter Wing participates around the globe supporting drug interdiction where needed, USAFE air defense, as well as contingency operations.

173d Fighter Wing

Main article: 173d Fighter Wing

F-15 Eagle from the 173d Fighter Wing

The 173d Fighter Wing is located at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The 173d Fighter Wing provides training for new pilots and pilot instructors on Air to Air combat tactics and basic flight instruction on the F-15. Also, Flight Surgeons, Dentists, and Optometrists receive specialized training on treating the unique physiological problems of pilots. The base in Klamath Falls is the more modern of the two major ANG installations in Oregon.

270th Air Traffic Control Squadron

Main article: 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron

Located on Kingsley Field.

272d Combat Comm. Squadron

Main article: 272d Combat Communications Squadron

Located on Portland ANGB. Slated for closure due to the reset of Air National Guard resources.

See also

United States Air Force portal

• Oregon Military Department
• Air National Guard

Military of the United States portal

References

1. ^ "Oregon Military Department - Agency History". Oregon Blue Book (Online). Salem, Oregon: Oregon Secretary of State. 2002. http://bluebook.state.or.us/state/executive/military_dept/military_dept_history.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-23. 

External links

• Oregon Military Department
• Oregon National Guard web site
• 142d Fighter Wing
• 173d Fighter Wing
• Global Security - 142d Fighter Wing
• Global Security - 173d Fighter Wing