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===California Air National Guard===
===California Air National Guard===
The wartime 372d Fighter Group was re-activated and re-designated as the '''144th Fighter Group''', and was allotted to the [[California Air National Guard]], on 24 May 1946. It was organized at [[Naval Air Station Alameda]], California, and was extended federal recognition on 2 June 1948 by the [[National Guard Bureau]]. The 144th Fighter Group was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 372d Fighter Group. The 144th FG was assigned to the CA ANG [[61st Fighter Wing]]. It was assigned the [[194th Fighter Squadron]], equipped with F-51D Mustangs as its operational squadron. During its early years with the F-51D, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors.
The wartime 372d Fighter Group was re-activated and re-designated as the '''144th Fighter Group''', and was allotted to the [[California Air National Guard]], on 24 May 1946. It was organized at [[Naval Air Station Alameda]], California, and was extended federal recognition on 2 June 1948 by the [[National Guard Bureau]]. The 144th Fighter Group was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 372d Fighter Group. The 144th FG was assigned to the CA ANG [[61st Fighter Wing]]. It was assigned the [[194th Fighter Squadron]], equipped with F-51D Mustangs as its operational squadron. During its early years with the F-51D, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors.

===Air Defense===
In 1952 the 144th was transferred from [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC) to [[Air Defense Command]] (ADC), and the 194th was re-equipped with the long-distance [[F-51H Mustang]] being used as an interceptor. In June 1953, while flying the F-51H, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed [[F-86A Sabre]] jets, the 194th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition. On 1 November 1954, the 194th accomplished the transition from the piston-engine, propeller driven F-51H to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno, followed by the wing in 1957. On 7 July 1955, the 144th was re-designated as the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, a designation kept by the squadron for the next 37 years.

The 194th continued to fly the F-86A until 31 March 1958. On April 1, 1958, the transition was made to the F-86L, which was flown until 30 June 1964. On July 1, 1964, the 194th began flying the F-102 and continued flying this aircraft until 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974, the 194th brought the F-106 into service, and continued to fly this aircraft until 31 December 1983. On 1 October 1978 [[Aerospace Defense Command]] was inactivated, its units being re-assigned to [[Air Defense, Tactical Air Command]] (ADTAC). which was established compatible to a Numbered Air Force under TAC. TAC replaced the aging F-106s on 1 January 1984 with [[F-4D Phantom II]]s, being used in the air defense interceptor mission.

The 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing started receiving their first [[F-16A Fighting Falcon]]s on 1 October 1989. These were of the block 15 type, replacing the F-4D in the air defense and attack roles. The block 15 airframes weren’t exactly suited to the dedicated air defense mission the squadron was tasked to. This was fixed with the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) upgrade these aircraft received during 1990.

Effective 16 March 1992, the 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with all related Fighter Interceptor Groups and Squadrons becoming Fighter Groups and Fighter Squadrons. On 1 June 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to [[Air Combat Command]].

During this time the 194th FS also had an alert detachment at [[George AFB]]. This base was closed in 1992 due to the overall downsizing after the Cold War and the alert detachment moved to [[March Air Force Base]]. In 1995 the squadron transitioned to the more [[F-16C Fighting Falcon]] block 25 aircraft.

After having flown for 11 years with the block 25 airframes, a number of those came to the end of their operational lifespan. It was therefore decided that the airframes of the 194th FS were to be replaced with F-16C Block 32 aircraft. The conversion to these block 32 models started in December of 2006 and was gradually completed by the end of 2007.


===Lineage===
===Lineage===

Revision as of 21:14, 25 September 2012

144th Fighter Wing
144th Fighter Wing emblem
Active1943 - Present
CountryUS
BranchAir National Guard
TypeWing
RoleFighter Support
Part ofCalifornia Air National Guard
Garrison/HQFresno Air National Guard Base, California
Commanders
Current
commander		Col Sami Said[1]
Aircraft flown
Fighter18 F-16C Fighting Falcon
Trainer1 F-16D Fighting Falcon
Transport1 C-26A Metroliner
A pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons fly during a sortie for the weapons systems evaluation program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

The 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

Mission

The 144th Fighter Wing's mission is to provide air defense protection for California from the Mexican border to Oregon utilizing the F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter aircraft. The 144th also supports the nation's Counter Drug Program and responds to state emergencies when requested by the Governor of California.[2] The wing's current inventory of aircraft includes 18 F-16Cs, one F-16D, a two place fighter trainer, and one C-26A transport.

Units

The 144th Fighter Wing is comprised of the following units:

  • 144th Operations Group
194th Fighter Squadron
  • 144th Maintenance Group
  • 144th Mission Support Group
  • 144th Medical Group.

History

World War II

Activated in October 1943 as the 372d Fighter Group at Hamilton Field, California. During World War II, the squadron was an Operational Training Unit (OTU), equipped with second-line P-39 Aircobras and P-40 Warhawks. Its mission was to train newly-graduated pilots from Training Command in combat tactics and maneuvers before being assigned to their permanent combat unit. Initially assigned to IV Fighter Command, then transferred to III Fighter Command in 1944, being re-equipped with P-51D Mustangs. It took part in air-ground maneuvers and demonstrations, participating in the Louisiana Maneuvers in the summer of 1944 and in similar activities in the US until after V-J Day.

Inactivated in November 1945.

California Air National Guard

The wartime 372d Fighter Group was re-activated and re-designated as the 144th Fighter Group, and was allotted to the California Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, and was extended federal recognition on 2 June 1948 by the National Guard Bureau. The 144th Fighter Group was bestowed to the history, honors, and colors of the 372d Fighter Group. The 144th FG was assigned to the CA ANG 61st Fighter Wing. It was assigned the 194th Fighter Squadron, equipped with F-51D Mustangs as its operational squadron. During its early years with the F-51D, the unit earned prominence as one of the Air Force's most respected aerial gunnery competitors.

Air Defense

In 1952 the 144th was transferred from Tactical Air Command (TAC) to Air Defense Command (ADC), and the 194th was re-equipped with the long-distance F-51H Mustang being used as an interceptor. In June 1953, while flying the F-51H, the unit qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre jets, the 194th, which represented the Air National Guard, placed fifth in competition. On 1 November 1954, the 194th accomplished the transition from the piston-engine, propeller driven F-51H to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. At the same time, the 194th relocated to Fresno, followed by the wing in 1957. On 7 July 1955, the 144th was re-designated as the 194th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, a designation kept by the squadron for the next 37 years.

The 194th continued to fly the F-86A until 31 March 1958. On April 1, 1958, the transition was made to the F-86L, which was flown until 30 June 1964. On July 1, 1964, the 194th began flying the F-102 and continued flying this aircraft until 24 July 1974. On 25 July 1974, the 194th brought the F-106 into service, and continued to fly this aircraft until 31 December 1983. On 1 October 1978 Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated, its units being re-assigned to Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC). which was established compatible to a Numbered Air Force under TAC. TAC replaced the aging F-106s on 1 January 1984 with F-4D Phantom IIs, being used in the air defense interceptor mission.

The 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing started receiving their first F-16A Fighting Falcons on 1 October 1989. These were of the block 15 type, replacing the F-4D in the air defense and attack roles. The block 15 airframes weren’t exactly suited to the dedicated air defense mission the squadron was tasked to. This was fixed with the Air Defense Fighter (ADF) upgrade these aircraft received during 1990.

Effective 16 March 1992, the 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing was redesignated as the 144th Fighter Wing (144th FW), with all related Fighter Interceptor Groups and Squadrons becoming Fighter Groups and Fighter Squadrons. On 1 June 1992, the 144th FW was reassigned to Air Combat Command.

During this time the 194th FS also had an alert detachment at George AFB. This base was closed in 1992 due to the overall downsizing after the Cold War and the alert detachment moved to March Air Force Base. In 1995 the squadron transitioned to the more F-16C Fighting Falcon block 25 aircraft.

After having flown for 11 years with the block 25 airframes, a number of those came to the end of their operational lifespan. It was therefore decided that the airframes of the 194th FS were to be replaced with F-16C Block 32 aircraft. The conversion to these block 32 models started in December of 2006 and was gradually completed by the end of 2007.

Lineage

  • Constituted as 372d Fighter Group on 12 October 1943
Activated on 28 October 1943
Re-designated 372d Fighter-Bomber Group in April 1944
Re-designated 372d Fighter Group in June 1944
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
  • Re-designated 144th Fighter Group and allotted to California ANG on 24 May 1946.
Extended federal recognition on 2 June 1948
Status changed from Group to Wing, 31 October 1950
Re-designated: 144th Fighter Wing, 31 October 1950
Re-designated: 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 1 October 1952
Re-designated: 144th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 1 December 1952
Re-designated: 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 7 July 1955
Re-designated: 144th Fighter Wing, 16 March 1992

Assignments

Gained by: Tactical Air Command
Gained by: 28th Air Division, Air Defense Command, 1 October 1952
Gained by: San Francisco Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command, 1 July 1960
Gained by: 26th Air Division, Air Defense Command, 1 April 1966
Gained by: 26th Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, 1 January 1970
Gained by: Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), 1 October 1979
Gained by: First Air Force, Tactical Air Command, 9 December 1985
Gained by: Northwest Air Defense Sector (NWADS), 1 July 1987
Gained by: Western Air Defense Sector (WADS), 1 October 1997-Present

Components

  • 144th Operations Group, 16 March 1992-Present
Assigned to 144 OG, 16 March 1992-Present

Stations

Aircraft

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ "Colonel Sami D. Said". Air National Guard. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  2. ^ 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=144th_Fighter_Wing&oldid=514548993"