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In July 1960, the 159th converted to the [[F-102 Delta Dagger]]s. In 1962, the 122d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was assigned to the [[Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center]], Mississippi, for six weeks of intensive flying training. Involved were 150 officers and airmen, including support elements from the 159th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 159th Material Squadron and 159th Air Base Squadron.
In July 1960, the 159th converted to the [[F-102 Delta Dagger]]s. In 1962, the 122d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was assigned to the [[Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center]], Mississippi, for six weeks of intensive flying training. Involved were 150 officers and airmen, including support elements from the 159th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 159th Material Squadron and 159th Air Base Squadron.

====Tactical Air Command====
[[File:122d Tactical Fighter Squadron - North American F-100F-5-NA Super Sabre 56-3761.jpg|thumb|left|122d Tactical Fighter Squadron - North American F-100F-5-NA Super Sabre 56-3761]]
In December 1970 the 159th was transferred from [[Aerospace Defense Command]] to [[Tactical Air Command]]. ADC was phasing down its manned interceptor force as the chances of a Soviet Bomber attack on the United States seemed remote. The unit was re-designated the 159th Tactical Fighter Group, and the 122d Tactical Fighter Squadron was re-equipped with [[F-100D/F Super Sabre]]s. In 1970, the F-100 was still considered a first-line aircraft, and most of the F-100s in the inventory were serving in [[South Vietnam]] flying combat missions. The Super Sabres received by the 122d came from the [[USAFE]] [[20th Tactical Fighter Wing]] which was transitioning to the [[General Dynamics F-111F]]. With the conversion to the F-100s, the ADC 24-hour alert status ended and retraining in tactical fighter missions began.

The 159th flew the F-100s for almost a decade, retiring the aircraft beginning in April 1979 when the 122d began receiving [[F-4C Phantom II]] aircraft from active-duty units. In 1979 Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated, with Tactical Air Command taking over the Continental US Air Defense Mission. The 159th was assigned to [[Air Defense, Tactical Air Command]] (ADTAC), a named unit at the [[Numbered Air Force]] level under TAC. Under ADTAC, the 122d began to fly Air Defense missions again with the F-4C, although the squadron was dual-hatted and continued to fly Tactical Fighter training missions with the Phantom.
[[File:122d Tactical Fighter Squadron - McDonnell F-4C-18-MC Phantom 63-7506.jpg|thumb|122d Tactical Fighter Squadron - McDonnell F-4C-18-MC Phantom 63-7506 still in Vietnam War camouflage livery]]
The Phantoms were ending their service life in the mid-1980s, and in 1986, the F-4Cs were replaced by F-15A/B Eagles. As the F-15s had no tactical bombing capability at the time, the 122d continued the Air Defense mission under TAC.




Revision as of 09:53, 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

122d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron - Convair F-102A Delta Dagger 56-1314

In 1958, the Louisiana Air National Guard 122d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 159th Fighter Interceptor Group was established by the National Guard Bureau on 1 April 1958. The 122d FIS becoming the group's flying squadron. Other support squadrons assigned into the group were the 159th Headquarters, 159th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 159th Combat Support Squadron, and the 159th USAF Dispensary. The 122d FIS was equipped with the F-86L Sabre Interceptor.

Air Defense mission

With the F-86L, the squadron stood a runway alert program on full 24-hour basis - with armed jet fighters ready to "scramble" at a moment's notice. This event brought the 159th into the daily combat operational program of the USAF, placing it on "the end of the runway" alongside regular USAF-Air Defense Fighter Squadrons.

In July 1960, the 159th converted to the F-102 Delta Daggers. In 1962, the 122d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was assigned to the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Mississippi, for six weeks of intensive flying training. Involved were 150 officers and airmen, including support elements from the 159th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 159th Material Squadron and 159th Air Base Squadron.

Tactical Air Command

122d Tactical Fighter Squadron - North American F-100F-5-NA Super Sabre 56-3761

In December 1970 the 159th was transferred from Aerospace Defense Command to Tactical Air Command. ADC was phasing down its manned interceptor force as the chances of a Soviet Bomber attack on the United States seemed remote. The unit was re-designated the 159th Tactical Fighter Group, and the 122d Tactical Fighter Squadron was re-equipped with F-100D/F Super Sabres. In 1970, the F-100 was still considered a first-line aircraft, and most of the F-100s in the inventory were serving in South Vietnam flying combat missions. The Super Sabres received by the 122d came from the USAFE 20th Tactical Fighter Wing which was transitioning to the General Dynamics F-111F. With the conversion to the F-100s, the ADC 24-hour alert status ended and retraining in tactical fighter missions began.

The 159th flew the F-100s for almost a decade, retiring the aircraft beginning in April 1979 when the 122d began receiving F-4C Phantom II aircraft from active-duty units. In 1979 Aerospace Defense Command was inactivated, with Tactical Air Command taking over the Continental US Air Defense Mission. The 159th was assigned to Air Defense, Tactical Air Command (ADTAC), a named unit at the Numbered Air Force level under TAC. Under ADTAC, the 122d began to fly Air Defense missions again with the F-4C, although the squadron was dual-hatted and continued to fly Tactical Fighter training missions with the Phantom.

122d Tactical Fighter Squadron - McDonnell F-4C-18-MC Phantom 63-7506 still in Vietnam War camouflage livery

The Phantoms were ending their service life in the mid-1980s, and in 1986, the F-4Cs were replaced by F-15A/B Eagles. As the F-15s had no tactical bombing capability at the time, the 122d continued the Air Defense mission under TAC.


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

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

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=520874127"