150th Fighter Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 150th Fighter Wing


caption= 150th Fighter Wing emblem
dates= 1957-Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type= F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcon ("Vipers")
role= Multi-Role
size= Wing
command_structure= Air National Guard/Air Combat Command/12th Air Force
current_commander=Colonel Steven Ver Helst
garrison= Kirtland Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
nickname= The Tacos
The Enchilada Air Force
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Korea (Dec '50 - Nov '52)Vietnam (Tuy Hoa AB Jul '68 - Jun '69)
Operation Iraqi Freedom (Balad AB Aug 2004 - Nov 2004)(Balad AB Oct 2007- Jan 2008)
anniversaries=

Mission

The primary mission of the 150th Fighter Wing is air interdiction to support Twelfth Air Force and Air Combat Command with worldwide deployment capability. In addition the wing maintains a Defense Systems Evaluation tasking and conducts testing of different domestic and foreign surface-to-air missile systems and air defense artillery.

History

Origins

The New Mexico Air National Guard was federally recognized on 7 July 1947 as the 188th Fighter Bomber Squadron. The unit was composed of a utility flight equipped with Douglas B-26 light bombers, a fighter squadron composed of 100 officers and airmen flying 25 P-51 mustangs and three T-6 Texan trainers, plus a small weather detachment. The 188th's mission was changed from fighter bomber to fighter-interceptor in 1948.

Korean War

In December 1950, the unit was called to active duty for the Korean Conflict. A total of 54 officers and 400 airmen were assigned to Long Beach Municipal Airport, California. Most unit members were then absorbed by other Air Force units and dispatched to Japan and Korea. First Lieutenants Robert Lucas and Joseph Murray were killed while flying close air support missions in Korea. Captain Francis Williams and First Lieutenant Robert Sands were each credited with three MiG-15 kills. The unit was released from federal active duty in November 1952.

150th Tactical Fighter Group

In 1957, the unit was redesignated and federally recognized as the 150th Tactical Fighter Group.

Vietnam War

In January 1968, the group was activated as a result of the Pueblo Crisis, and in June of that year the 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron and approximately 250 maintenance and support personnel were deployed to Tuy Hoa Air Base. Republic of Vietnam. Remaining group members were assigned to various bases in South Korea. The unit flew over 6000 combat sorties in the F-100 Super Sabre and amassed over 630 medals and decorations before release from federal active duty in June 1969. Captain Michael Adams was killed in action and First Lieutenant Mitchell Lane is listed as missing in action. The unit received the AF Outstanding Unit Award with a bronze "V' for valor.

150th Fighter Group

The 150th Fighter Group was partially activated in support of Operation Desert Storm. On 11 December 1990, 44 members of the 150th Security Police Flight and other unit members were deployed to Saudi Arabia. All members returned home by May 1991.

150th Fighter Wing

In October 1995, the unit was renamed the 150th Fighter Wing.

The New Mexico Air National Guard has undergone several aircraft conversions throughout its history, including the F-80, F-100, A-7D and F-16C/D. Major accomplishments of the unit include: First ANG unit to receive the F-100 and A-7D fighter aircraft, first ANG unit to receive the Low Altitude Night Targeting Infra Red Navigational system (LANTIRN) equipped F-16C fighter aircraft, first ANG to be assigned to the prestigious Rapid Deployment Force, first ANG unit to participate in Bright Star joint service exercises in Southwest Asia, first ANG unit to receive the Low Altitude Night Attack modification to the A-7, and first ANG unit to participate in a deployed bare base operational readiness inspection. In addition, the 150th Fighter Group set an A-7 endurance record of 11 and 1/2 hours non-stop from Pease AFB, New Hampshire, to Cairo West Air Base, Egypt. The group has received the following awards: Spaatz Trophy in 1956, Winston P. Wilson Trophy in 1980, Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards in 1989 and February 1996, Top A-7 Team at Gunsmoke in 1989 and 1991, Distinguished Flying Unit Award in 1991, and Outstanding ANG-Unit in 1991. In 1995, unit pilots with specialized LANTIRN experience flew combat missions in Bosnia, leading to the current cease fire situation in that area.

Post 9/11

In August 2004 the New Mexico Air National Guard Deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Unit deployed with compenents of the Colorado ANG and the Montana ANG. All three units were assigned to the 332nd AEW.

In May 2006 the New Mexico ANG deployed to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea for a contingency deployment with the "Rocky Mountain Coalition" composed again of the New Mexico ANG, Colorado ANG, and Montana ANG, under the designation of the 186 EFS.

The unit deployed to Iraq again in October 2007 and returned in February 2008.

Today, the New Mexico Air National Guard is composed of State Headquarters, the 150th Fighter Wing, Logistics Group, Operations Group, Support Group, Medical Squadron and II subordinate squadrons and flights with an authorized strength of 120 officers and 919 enlisted members. Its primary mission is air interdiction in support of Twelfth Air Force, Air Combat Command', with worldwide deployment capability. Unit members are constantly on the go, participating in both humanitarian and military exercises throughout the year at locations across the globe.

In,addition to its primary mission, the wing also maintains a Defense Systems Evaluation tasking, which provides fighter aircraft support to the US Army Air Defense Center and White Sands Missile Range. Major program support has included testing of various US and foreign surface-to-air missile systems and air defense artillery.

Located on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the wing currently has over 20 F-16C Block 30 Aircraft, all being the MSIP Stage III. The large inlet became the standard for F110-powered Fighting Falcons from F-16C Block 30D #86-0262 onward (the so-called "Big-mouths"). The large inlet is referred to as the "modular common air intake duct".

Operating Areas

The New Mexico Air National Guard uses the Cato MOA, southwest of Albuquerque, from 13,500 feet to 51,000 feet with some supersonic flights conducted above 30,000 feet. The floor of Cato MOA, however, is too high, which restricts realistic training. Therefore, most of their air-to-air training is conducted in the northern portions of the airspace associated with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). In addition to Cato and WSMR, the Tacos make use of the Pecos MOA that is east of Albuquerque and North of Roswell. They often engage in joint exercises with Cannon AFB units and other air wings nationwide.

The 150FW schedules three Military Training Routes (MTR) that are wider than average to help dissipate the environmental effects of overflight. They usually get very few noise complaints. VR-176 is an MTR that accesses the White Sands Missile Range airspace and even though it is very wide, has the most noise avoidance areas. Every attempt is made to brief infrequent or transient users of VR-176 about the noise sensitive areas.

Assignments

Major Command/Gaining Command

*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-Present)
*Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1957-1991)

Previous designations

*150th Fighter Wing (1995-Present)
*150th Fighter Group (1992-1995)
*150th Tactical Fighter Group (1957-1992)

quadron assigned

*188th Fighter Squadron (1957-Present)

Bases assigned

*Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico (1947-Present)

Aircraft flown

*F-16 Fighting Falcon (1992-Present)
**F-16C Block 40 Lantirn Fighting Falcon (1992-2003)
**F-16 Block 30 Fighting Falcon (1992-Present)
**F-16D Fighting Falcon (1992-Present)
*C-26 Metroliner (???-Present)
*A-7 Corsair II (1973-1992)
*C-130 Hercules (???-???)
*F-100 Super Sabre (1958-1973)
*F-80 Shooting Star (1953-1958)
*P-51 Mustang (1947-1953)
*A-26 Invader (1947-1952)
*T-6 Texan (1947-1958)

Aircraft Numbers are OPSEC Material, Do Not Post Squadron Strengths.

References

External links

* [http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5598 Kirtland AFB Fact Sheet]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/150fw.htm GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://www.usafpatches.com/photo/thumbnails.php?album=164 USAFPatches.com]
* [http://www.desert-storm.com/soldiers/af.html Desert Storm.com]