- 144th Fighter Wing
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 144th Fighter Wing
caption= 144th Fighter Wing emblem
dates=1950 - Present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force /Air National Guard
type= Wing
role= Fighter Support
size=
command_structure=United States Air Force /Air National Guard
current_commander= Jonathan S. Flaughercite web|url= http://www.144fw.ang.af.mil/resources/biographies/bio.asp?id=10812|title= Colonel Jonathan S. Flaugher|accessdate= 2008-04-11|publisher= Air National Guard]
garrison=Fresno Yosemite International Airport ,Fresno, California
ceremonial_chief=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=
aircraft_fighter= 18F-16C Fighting Falcon
aircraft_trainer= 1F-16D Fighting Falcon
aircraft_transport= 1C-26A Metroliner The
United States Air Force 's 144th Fighter Wing is a unit of theCalifornia Air National Guard located atFresno Yosemite International Airport inFresno, California .Mission
The 144th Fighter Wing's mission is to provide air defense protection for
California from theMexican border toOregon utilizing theF-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter aircraft. The 144th also supports the nation's Counter Drug Program and responds to state emergencies when requested by theGovernor of California . [http://www.144fw.ang.af.mil/ 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard]History
The origin of the 144th Fighter Wing dates back to
April 4 ,1948 . On that date, the 61st Fighter Wing received federal recognition atAlameda, CA , followed by activation of the194th Fighter Squadron on June 25, 1948. OnNovember 1 ,1950 the 61st Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing. [http://www.militarymuseum.org/144FW.html California State Militia and National Guard Unit Histories: 144th Fighter Wing]On
November 1 ,1954 , the 194th accomplished the transition from theP-51 to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno followed by the 144th three years later. OnJuly 7 ,1955 , the Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing, with the 194th becoming the 194th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.In
1979 , the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was reassigned from theAir Defense Command to theTactical Air Command . OnOctober 1 ,1989 , the wing completed the transition theF-16A Fighting Falcon. The 144th continued to fly this aircraft untilSeptember 1995 , when the transition to the newerF-16C became complete.In
1992 , the 144th was reassigned toAir Combat Command , and onMarch 16 of the same year the 144th Fighter Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing.Throughout its history the 144th has earned a number of honors and distinctions. The wing received the
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in1967 ,1973 ,1978 ,1988 and1994 . Other honors include winning the William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons meet atTyndall AFB inFlorida , and numerous maintenance and safety awards. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/144fw.htm 144th Fighter Wing] During a Red Flag exercise atNellis AFB in1999 , a 144th Fighter Wing four-ship flight killed four actualMiG-29 s. These were the first-ever MiG-29 kills in a Red Flag exercise.Assignments
Major Command *
Air National Guard /Air Combat Command (1992-Present)
*Air National Guard /Tactical Air Command (1972-1992)
*Air National Guard /Air Defense Command (1948-1972)Previous designations
*144th Fighter Wing (1992-Present)
*144th Fighter Interceptor Wing (1955-1992)
*144th Fighter Bomber Wing (1950-1955)
*61st Fighter Wing (1947-1950)quadrons assigned
*
194th Fighter Squadron Bases stationed
*
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (1957-Present)
**March Air Reserve Base (Detachment 1) (1999-Present)
*Alameda Naval Air Station (1947-1957)Aircraft operated
*
RC-26B Metroliner (???-Present)
*F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (1995-Present)
*F-16A Fighting Falcon (1989-1995)
*F-4D Phantom II (1983-1989)
*F-106 Delta Dart (1974-1983)
*F-102 Delta Dagger (194-1974)
*F-86L Sabre (1958-1964)
*F-86A Sabre (1954-1958)
*P-51 Mustang (1948-1954)
*L-17 Navion (1948-???)
*C-47 Skytrain (1948-???)
*B-26 Marauder (1948-???)
*T-6 Texan (1948-???)Decorations
References
External links
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/144fw.htm 144th Fighter Wing - GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://calairdefense.com/ California Air Defense Association - Save the 144th Fighter Wing]
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