Oregon Air National Guard
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The Oregon Air National Guard cannot keep jets in the air without the coordinated teamwork of its various units.
The Oregon Air National Guard consists of the following units:
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[edit] 114th Fighter Squadron
This squadron is located with the 173d Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The squadron converted from F-16 aircraft to the F-15 aircraft in 1989/90. The 173d Fighter Wing has 19 PAI currently assigned. The fighter wing is assigned to the US Air Forces Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and is one of the primary "school houses" for F-15 pilots.
[edit] 116th Air Control Squadron
Located at Camp Rilea near Warranton/Astoria Oregon.
[edit] 123d Fighter Squadron
Previously designated as the 123d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, the squadron was renamed the 123d Fighter Squadron in 1992.
The squadron converted to the F-15 aircraft in 1989/90, with most of those planes coming from the 318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at McChord AFB, which was being disbanded.
The Unit has been flying the F-15 Eagle fighter since 1989. - The 142d Fighter Wing has 15 PAI and 3 BAI/AR F-15A and F-15B Eagles. Two of its aircraft sit alert in support of NORAD 24 hours a day.
[edit] 123d Weather Flight
[edit] 125th Special Tactics Squadrons
Located on Portland Air National Guard Base (PANGB)
[edit] 142d Fighter Wing
The Oregon Air National Guard and 142d Fighter Wing's rich history began just prior to World War II when the United States, monitoring the war raging in Europe and China, began focusing less on neutrality and more on preparedness. Answering the call to arms, Major G. Robert Dodson, an Oregonian serving with the 321st Observation Squadron Reserve at Pearson Field, Vancouver, Washington, requested the National Guard Bureau's authorization to form an Oregon flying unit. His short, official request- "We've got people, we've got a place, and we're ready!"- launched the 123d Observation Squadron on April 18, 1941.
Five months later the squadron was federally activated under different unit designations flying the O-47, BC-1A and later the F-5 reconnaissance version of the P-38 in the China-Burma theatre and with others serving in Europe. At the war's end, the unit regrouped as the 123d Fighter Squadron. By 1946, the ever-expanding unit was redesignated the 142d Fighter Interceptor Group.
In 1951, the group mobilized in support of the Korean War. After supporting the Korean conflict it remained very active in air defense matters through the intervening Cold War years, eventually becoming a Fighter Wing in 1995. Since it's creation the wing has flown the O-47, BC-1A, F-5, F-51, B-25J, F-86, F-94, F-89, F-102, F-101, F-4C, T-33 and a host of support aircraft. Today the fighting "Redhawks" are proud to continue service as a component of the Total Force in defense of our nation flying the F-15A/B, providing both continuous air defense and air superiority capabilities. With more than 1,000 officers and airmen, the unit guards the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour alert as part of the North American Air Defense (NORAD) system.
As a vital asset to Air Combat Command and Air Expeditionary Force structures, the 142d Fighter Wing participates around the globe supporting drug interdiction where needed, USAFE air defense, as well as contingency operations over Iraq for both Operations Northern Watch in Turkey and Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia.
The base was selected by the 2005 BRAC to close. 11th hour negotiations between the political delegations from the states of Washington and Oregon saved the base from closure. Ironically the argument made by several groups to save the base was that of the NORAD mission it performed and the air cover it provided for the Pacific Northwest was essential to Homeland Security. However the 2005 BRAC commission recommended keeping a small detachment in place at the base in order to support NORAD but close all other operations. As part of the recommendations of the 2005 BRAC, the 939th Air Refueling Wing, US Air Force Reserve (who flew KC-135 Aircraft) which was collocated on the Portland Air Base has terminated operations.
[edit] 173d Fighter Wing
The 173d Fighter Wing is located at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The 173d Fighter Wing provides training for new pilots and pilot instructors on Air to Air combat tactics and basic flight instruction on the F-15. Also, Flight Surgeons, Dentists, and Optometrists receive specialized training on treating the unique physiological problems of pilots. The base in Klamath Falls is the more modern of the two major ANG`installations in Oregon.
[edit] 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron
Located on Kingsley Field.
[edit] 272d Combat Comm. Squadron
Located on Portland ANGB. Slated for closure due to the 2005 BRAC.
