New Jersey Air National Guard

New Jersey Air National Guard
Insignia of the New Jersey Air National Guard
Active	1930 - present
Country	United States
Branch	Air National Guard
Role	"To meet state and federal mission responsibilities."
Part of	New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Department of Defense
Headquarters	Trenton, New Jersey
Commanders
Civilian leadership	President Barack Obama (Commander-in-Chief) Michael B. Donley (Secretary of the Air Force) Governor Chris Christie (Governor of the State of New Jersey)
State military leadership	Major General Maria Falca-Dodson
Insignia
USAF Roundel

The New Jersey Air National Guard consists of almost 2300 Guardsmen from New Jersey. The New Jersey Air National Guard is governed through the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

On the homefront, the Guard is responsible for Homeland Security tasks in the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Air Guard has flown over 17,000 hours in the Middle East during ongoing operations for the Global War on Terrorism.^[1]

Major Commands of the New Jersey Air National Guard

108th Air Refueling Wing

The '108th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard that is responsible for aerial refueling. They fly the KC-135R Stratotanker and are based out of McGuire Air Force Base. In addition to their primary air refueling mission, the Wing also supports an Intelligence Squadron and a Contingency Response Group. The Commander of the 108th Air Refueling Wing is Brigadier General Michael Cunniff.

177th Fighter Wing

The 177th Fighter Wing or the "Jersey Devils" is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard stationed at Atlantic City International Airport. During statewide missions the 177th job is to protect life and property, provide disaster relief, and ensure public safety when called upon by the Governor. When federalized it is their job to provide combat ready personnel, aircraft and equipment for worldwide deployment in support of US Air Force objectives. The Fighter Wing is made up of primarily F-16C/D aircraft. The Commander of the 177th Fighter Wing is Colonel Robert C. Bolton.

Awards and Decorations of the NJ National Guard

• New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal

• New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal

• New Jersey Valor Ribbon

• New Jersey Commendation Medal

• New Jersey Medal of Honor

• New Jersey Good Conduct Ribbon

• New Jersey Merit Award

• New Jersey Desert Storm Service Medal

• New Jersey Desert Storm Ribbon

• New Jersey State Service Award

• New Jersey Recruiting Award

• New Jersey Governor's Unit Award

• New Jersey Unit Strength Award

References

1. ^ fact given by Major General Glenn K. Rieth, during his re-nomination hearing in the New Jersey State Senate Judiciary Committee

External links

United States Air Force portal

Official sites

• 108th Air Refueling Wing
• 177th Fighter Wing
• New Jersey Air Guard (N.J. Dept. of Military & Veteran Affairs)