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===Lineage===
===Lineage===
* Designated 159th Fighter Interceptor Group, and allotted to Louisiana ANG, in 1958
: Extended federal recognition on 1 March 1958
: Re-designated: 159th Tactical Fighter Group, 5 Dec 1970
: Re-designated: 159th Fighter Group, 15 Mar 1992
: Status changed from Group to Wing, 11 October 1995
: Re-designated: 159th Fighter Wing, 11 October 1995


===Assignments===
===Assignments===
* 136th Air Defense Wing, 1 March 1958
* Louisiana Air National Guard, 30 August 1961
: Gained by: Montgomery Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command
: Gained by: 32d Air Division, Air Defense Command, 1 April 1966
: Gained by: 32d Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, 15 January 1968
: Gained by: Tactical Air Command, 5 December 1970
: Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992


===Components===
===Components===
* 159th Operations Group, 15 March 1992-Present
* 122d Fighter-Interceptor (late Tactical Fighter, Fighter) Squadron, 1 March 1958-Present


===Stations===
===Stations===
* [[Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans|NAS New Orleans (later NAS-JRB)]], Louisiana, 1 March 1958-present


===Aircraft===
===Aircraft===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[F-86L Sabre Interceptor]], 1958-1960
* [[TF/F-102A Delta Dagger]], 1960-1970
* [[F-100D/F Super Sabre]], 1970-1979
* [[F-4C Phantom II]], 1979-1985
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[F-15A/B Eagle]], 1985-2006
* [[Lockheed WC-130H]], 1989–Present
* [[F-15C/D Eagle]], 2006-present
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 09:35, 1 November 2012

159th Fighter Wing
159th Fighter Wing emblem
Active1958-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchAir National Guard
TypeWing
RoleFighter Interception
Part ofLouisiana Air National Guard
Garrison/HQNaval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana
Nickname(s)Bayou Militia
F-15C Eagles assigned to the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing fly over southern Louisiana wetlands July 11 during an exercise.

The 159th Fighter Wing (159 FW) is a unit of the Louisiana Air National Guard, stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

The 122d Fighter Squadron, assigned to the Wings 159th Operations Group, is a descendant organization of the 122d Observation Squadron, established on 30 July 1940. It is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.

Overview

The Air National Guard's premier F-15 Unit, the 159th Fighter Wing, nicknamed "The Bayou Militia," is a trained force of more than 1500 men and women has proudly served the United States in almost every conflict in America's history. The 159th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana. The 159th Fighter Wing, along with its operational flying unit, the 122nd Fighter Squadron, is tasked with providing air superiority over Louisiana and the Gulf Coast while supporting USNORTHCOM and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).

The title "Coonass Militia" was changed to "Cajun Militia" in 1992 because of concerns about its "political incorrectness".[1][2] In the late 1990s the Cajun Militia title was changed to the current "Bayou Militia."

The Louisiana Air Guard is unique compared to other reserve force components in that it is tasked with dual missions. The LA ANG's state and federal missions are to provide trained, well-equipped personnel who can augment the active forces during both national emergencies and/or war, and to provide assistance during national disasters and civil disturbances.

The LA ANG use Warning Area airspace over the Gulf of Mexico for most of their training. Supersonic flight, necessary for realistic training, is conducted away from the shoreline in a manner that does not disturb the public. Generally speaking, they have good airspace within which to train. Some forms of chaff, however, do interfere electronically with the Houston FAA ARTCC. However, the 159FW has a good working relationship with Houston ARTCC. A modification of Warning Area W-59 to a north/south orientation would impact the 159FW ability to train effectively and efficiently. Training would be hampered by long distances to and from the southern end of the Warning Area. Safety would be compromised since air/sea rescue could not respond in a timely manner at the greater distances.

159th Fighter Wing/Louisiana Air National Guard was awarded the coveted "Outstanding Air National Guard Unit" in 2003. This prestigious award is given annually to the Air National Guard unit which meets or exceeds the criteria from the National Guard Bureau. The 159th Fighter Wing has shown extreme professionalism and dedication to the mission of protecting the United States and its allies.[3]

Units

The 159th Fighter Wing consists of the following units:

  • 159th Operations Group
122d Fighter Squadron
  • 159th Maintence Group
  • 159th Mission Support Group
  • 159th Medical Group
  • 214th Engineering & Installation Squadron
  • 236th Combat Communications Squadron (GSU at Hammond LA)
  • 259th Air Traffic Control Squadron (GSU at Alexandria LA)
  • 122d Air Support Operations Squadron (GSU at Pineville LA)

History

Lineage

  • Designated 159th Fighter Interceptor Group, and allotted to Louisiana ANG, in 1958
Extended federal recognition on 1 March 1958
Re-designated: 159th Tactical Fighter Group, 5 Dec 1970
Re-designated: 159th Fighter Group, 15 Mar 1992
Status changed from Group to Wing, 11 October 1995
Re-designated: 159th Fighter Wing, 11 October 1995

Assignments

  • 136th Air Defense Wing, 1 March 1958
  • Louisiana Air National Guard, 30 August 1961
Gained by: Montgomery Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command
Gained by: 32d Air Division, Air Defense Command, 1 April 1966
Gained by: 32d Air Division, Aerospace Defense Command, 15 January 1968
Gained by: Tactical Air Command, 5 December 1970
Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992

Components

  • 159th Operations Group, 15 March 1992-Present
  • 122d Fighter-Interceptor (late Tactical Fighter, Fighter) Squadron, 1 March 1958-Present

Stations

Aircraft

References

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

  1. ^ NOLA.com: Special Edition with the Times-Picayune
  2. ^ Air National Guard Patches
  3. ^ http://www.goang.com/office/default.aspx?office=bc2ab413-43fe-4a03-b1c0-c5afba563c16&type=Events

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=159th_Fighter_Wing&oldid=520872841"