Tucson Air National Guard Base: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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Military use of the Tuscon Airport began in 1956 when the Arizona Air National Guard 152d Fighter Interceptor Squadron began operating Korean War vintage F-86A Sabres from the airport. The squadron was a component of [[Air Defense Command]]. At that time the "base" consisted of an old adobe farmhouse and a dirt-floor hangar with enough space for three aircraft. |
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Despite the facility limitations, the Air Defense Command's Fourth Air Force judged the 152d FIS outstanding in accomplishing its air defense mission. It declared the unit "Best in the West" in the 1950s and the early 1960s. Late in 1968 the unit received its first of five Air Force Outstanding Unit Citations for converting from the F-100 day-fighter to the all-weather F-102 "Delta Dagger" interceptor aircraft in just 10 months. The unit did it faster and better than any other Air National Guard unit converting to the F-102. The Air National Guard officially redesignated the unit as the 162d Tactical Fighter Training Group and the 152d Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1969. |
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The unit's new mission was producing combat-ready pilots for the F-100 aircraft. They graduated their first students in 1970. Shortly afterward, the unit formed the Air National Guard Fighter Weapons School in Tucson. This school taught Air Guard and Reserve fighter pilots from throughout the country to effectively use advanced tactics and weapons technology. |
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The unit received its second Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation for successfully continuing to train F-100 students while completing the most challenging conversion in the unit's history. That tasking was to convert from F-100s to A-7Ds. In the early 1980s the Group also received the A-7K, a two-seat combat-capable training aircraft. This was the first time an aircraft manufacturer produced a new aircraft specifically designed for Air National Guard use. |
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The unit received its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation in the 1970s and began another dimension in training in 1983 when the unit added the A-7 Fighter Weapons School. During the 1980s the unit received its fourth Outstanding Unit Citation and the Spaatz Trophy. The Spaatz trophy recognized the 162nd Fighter Wing as the outstanding Air National Guard unit in the United States. |
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In 1985, the unit began a unique dual training mission in the F-16 and A-7 aircraft. |
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In 1990 the unit received its fifth Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation. Midsummer 1991 saw the retirement of all its A-7D aircraft. Now the unit flies the F-16 C/D and the newer F-16E/F "Fighting Falcon" aircraft plus a single C-26A "Metroliner" light transport aircraft. |
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The ultramodern Air Guard Base at Tucson is very different from the adobe farmhouse and dirt-floor hangar of 50 years ago. What remains unchanged is the outstanding dedication of the men and women working to make the 162nd Fighter Wing one of the finest fighter training wings in the world. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 17:44, 8 May 2011
Tucson Air National Guard Base
 | |
|---|---|
| Part of Arizona Air National Guard (ANG) | |
| Tucson International Airport, Arizona | |
 Main gate of Tucson Air National Guard Base | |
| Coordinates | 32°06′55″N 110°55′50″W / 32.11528°N 110.93056°W |
| Type | Air National Guard Base |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1956-Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison |  162d Fighter Wing |
Tucson Air National Guard Base is a United States Air Force base, located at Tucson International Airport, Arizona. It is located 7.4 miles (11.9 km) south of Tuscon, Arizona.
Units
Tucson ANGB is the home of the 162d Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard. The wing manages a fleet of more than 70 F-16 C/D and Mid-Life Update Fighting Falcons. Units stationed at the base are:
- 162d Operations Group
- Operations Support Flight
- 148th Fighter Squadron
- 152d Fighter Squadron
- 195th Fighter Squadron
- International Military Student Office (IMSO)
- 162d Maintenance Group
- 162d Medical Group
- 162d Mission Support Group
- Geographically Separated Units (at Davis-Monthan AFB)
- 162d Fighter Wing Alert Detachment
- Operation Snowbird
- 214th Reconnaissance Group
History
Military use of the Tuscon Airport began in 1956 when the Arizona Air National Guard 152d Fighter Interceptor Squadron began operating Korean War vintage F-86A Sabres from the airport. The squadron was a component of Air Defense Command. At that time the "base" consisted of an old adobe farmhouse and a dirt-floor hangar with enough space for three aircraft.
Despite the facility limitations, the Air Defense Command's Fourth Air Force judged the 152d FIS outstanding in accomplishing its air defense mission. It declared the unit "Best in the West" in the 1950s and the early 1960s. Late in 1968 the unit received its first of five Air Force Outstanding Unit Citations for converting from the F-100 day-fighter to the all-weather F-102 "Delta Dagger" interceptor aircraft in just 10 months. The unit did it faster and better than any other Air National Guard unit converting to the F-102. The Air National Guard officially redesignated the unit as the 162d Tactical Fighter Training Group and the 152d Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1969.
The unit's new mission was producing combat-ready pilots for the F-100 aircraft. They graduated their first students in 1970. Shortly afterward, the unit formed the Air National Guard Fighter Weapons School in Tucson. This school taught Air Guard and Reserve fighter pilots from throughout the country to effectively use advanced tactics and weapons technology.
The unit received its second Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation for successfully continuing to train F-100 students while completing the most challenging conversion in the unit's history. That tasking was to convert from F-100s to A-7Ds. In the early 1980s the Group also received the A-7K, a two-seat combat-capable training aircraft. This was the first time an aircraft manufacturer produced a new aircraft specifically designed for Air National Guard use.
The unit received its third Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation in the 1970s and began another dimension in training in 1983 when the unit added the A-7 Fighter Weapons School. During the 1980s the unit received its fourth Outstanding Unit Citation and the Spaatz Trophy. The Spaatz trophy recognized the 162nd Fighter Wing as the outstanding Air National Guard unit in the United States. In 1985, the unit began a unique dual training mission in the F-16 and A-7 aircraft.
In 1990 the unit received its fifth Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation. Midsummer 1991 saw the retirement of all its A-7D aircraft. Now the unit flies the F-16 C/D and the newer F-16E/F "Fighting Falcon" aircraft plus a single C-26A "Metroliner" light transport aircraft.
The ultramodern Air Guard Base at Tucson is very different from the adobe farmhouse and dirt-floor hangar of 50 years ago. What remains unchanged is the outstanding dedication of the men and women working to make the 162nd Fighter Wing one of the finest fighter training wings in the world.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency