103d Airlift Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 103d Airlift Wing
former_name=103d Fighter Wing


caption= 103d Airlift Wing emblem
dates= 1952-Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type= Wing
role= Cargo Airlift/Passenger Airlift
size=
command_structure= Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command
current_commander=
garrison= Bradley ANGB, Connecticut
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname="Flying Yankees"
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=

The United States Air Force's 103d Airlift Wing is an Air National Guard airlift unit located at Bradley ANGB, Connecticut.

Mission

Before the completion of the BRAC realignment with the 104th Fighter Wing in Massachusetts, the 103 FW provided the firepower of the A-10 for close-air support as well as combat search and rescue missions, while maintaining an expeditionary combat support capability. In 2005 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended consolidating the wing with the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Municipal Airport in Massachusetts, and establish an aircraft maintenance depot at Bradley ANG Base, with no flying mission. When the BRAC recommendations were announced, Connecticut sued the Defense Department, arguing that the closure of the guard unit without the governor's approval would violate states' rights set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Before the lawsuit could make it to trial, Connecticut and DoD officials reached a compromise where the A-10s would be transferred to Barnes Municipal Airport, and the 103 FW would transition to flying C-21 learjets, and by 2014 would again transition to the C-27J Spartans. [ [http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=318070&A=2425 Connecticut Wins Bradley Air Wing Fight, ‘Flying Mission’ and Jobs Saved; Lawsuit to be Dropped] ] As of June 2007, the unit has been reconstituted as the 103d Airlift Wing, according to official advertisements for job vacancies at the wing.

The wing's new mission will be to provide cargo and passenger airlift, medevac, and distinguished visitor support.

History

Assignments

Major Command/Gaining Command

*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1 Jun 1992-Present)
*Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1971-1 Jun 1992)

Previous designations

*103d Airlift Wing (2007-Present) [ [http://www.ct.ngb.army.mil/jobs/dispjobBRAC.asp?jobid=07-0772 CTANG Job Vacancies] ]
*103d Fighter Wing (1979-2007)
*103d Fighter Group (Apr 1971-1979)
*103d Fighter Interceptor Group (1952-Apr 1971)

quadrons assigned

*103d Air Control Squadron
*118th Airlift Squadron (2007-Present)
*118th Fighter Squadron (1952-2007)

Bases stationed

*Bradley ANGB, Connecticut (1952-Present)

Aircraft OperatedWorld Airpower Journal. (1992). US Air Force Air Power Directory. Aerospace Publishing: London, UK. ISBN 1-880588-01-3

*C-27J Spartan (2014)
*C-21A Learjet (2007-2014)
*A-10A Thunderbolt II (1979-2007)
*C-12 Huron (???-???)
*F-100D Super Sabre (1971-1979)
*F-102 Delta Dagger (1965-1971)
*F-100A Super Sabre (1959-1965)
*F-86 Sabre (1958-1959)
*F-94B Starfire (1956-1958)
*F-84D Thunderjet (1954-1956)
*F-51 Mustang (1952-1954)
*P-47 Thunderbolt (1947-1952)
*C-47 Skytrain (1947-1950)
*B-26 Marauder (1947-1950)
*T-6 Texan (1947-1950)
*L-5 Sentinel (1947-1950)
*L-19 Bird Dog (1947-1950)

Decorations

*
**1992-1994 [http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AwardsNet/UnitAwardSearchResults.aspx?Mode=Graphics&SearchType=Starts%20With&SearchBy=103 AFPC Award Search]
**(200x?) [http://www.ctbrad.ang.af.mil/ourmission.html 103d FW Mission]

References

External links

* [http://www.ctbrad.ang.af.mil Bradley Air National Guard Base, Connecticut]
* http://www.philippecolin.net/Updates.html