175th Wing
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| 175th Wing | |
|---|---|
 175th Wing emblem |
|
| Active | 1962-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Composite: Fighter and Tactical Airlift |
| Role | Air Combat |
| Garrison/HQ | Warfield Air National Guard Base, Maryland |
| Motto | Librati In Promptu (“Poised in Readiness”) |
| Engagements | USS Pueblo Crisis; Operation SOUTHERN WATCH; Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR; Operation ENDURING FREEDOM |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Brig Gen Guy M. Walsh |
The United States Air Force's 175th Wing (175 WG) is a composite fighter and tactical airlift unit located at Warfield Air National Guard Base at the Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland. It is unique among Air National Guard units in that the 175 WG has three active USAF gaining commands: the Air Combat Command for its fighter aircraft, the Air Mobility Command for its airlift aircraft, and United States Air Forces in Europe for its 235th Civil Engineer Flight.
Contents |
[edit] Mission
The Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing is comprised of two flying units and support staff, the 104th Fighter Squadron and the 135th Airlift Group. Nearly 2,000 full-time and traditional part-time air guard members are employed by the Maryland Air National Guard, contributing over $76 million dollars annually to Maryland’s economy.
The 175th Wing has both federal and state missions to augment active military forces and to provide assistance to state authorities during natural disasters, civil disturbances and other emergencies. In peacetime, the 175th Wing prepares for wartime taskings, natural catastrophes, and major civilian accidents by participating in various deployments and exercises. The unit must maintain the capability to meet mobility standards and worldwide deployment when directed by competent authority.
The 175th Wing consists of two distinct flying units with different missions—the 104th Fighter Squadron, flying the A-10C “Thunderbolt II” single-seat attack and close air support aircraft, and the 135th Airlift squadron, operating the C-130J “Hercules” transport aircraft.
As part of a USAF-wide effort to upgrade its fleet of A-10s, the A-10 is currently undergoing the precision engagement modification (PEM), which includes new wings and adds upgraded cockpit displays, moving map, hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS), digital stores management, LITENING and Sniper advanced targeting pod integration, situational awareness data link (SADL), GPS-guided weapons, and upgraded DC power. Precision engagement modified aircraft are designated as the A-10C. The 175 WG was the first USAF unit selected to upgrade to this new aircraft, receiving its first A-10C in October 2006 and achieving initial operational capability (IOC) with the A-10C in September 2007.
[edit] History
The 175th Wing (175 WG) was organized in 1962 as the 175th Fighter Group. At the time of its organization, it was the second group-sized headquarters in the Maryland Air National Guard. From 1962 until 1996, Maryland had two flying groups: the 135th Airlift Group and the 175th Fighter Group. In 1996, the 175th was reorganized as a composite wing and 135th was inactivated, with its flying squadron reassigned to the new 175th Wing. At this time, support units previously assigned to the 135th were inactivated and their personnel transferred to equivalent units within the 175th. Subsequently, the 135th was reactivated the 135th Airlift Group and assigned to the 175th Wing as a subordinate group, with separate operations and maintenance units.
Prior to 11 Sep 2001, the wing made multiple deployments to Kuwait in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, enforcing the United Nations Security Council Resolutions that created a "No Fly Zone" for Iraqi military aircraft over southern Iraq in the wake of Operation DESERT STORM. The 175 WG is fully integrated into the Air Force's Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force (AEF) operational construct, and since 11 Sep 2001, the wing has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
 175 WG firefighters extinguish a mock aircraft fire during exercise Coronet White 05. |
[edit] Assignments
[edit] Major Command
- Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-Present) for A-10C assets
- Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command (1999-Present) for C-130J assets
- Air National Guard/United States Air Forces in Europe (1996-Present) for 235th Civil Engineer Flight
- Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1962-1992)
[edit] Previous designations[1]
- 175th Tactical Fighter Group
- 175th Fighter Group
[edit] Subordinate Units
- 135th Airlift Group
- 135th Airlift Squadron (1996-Present)
- 135th Aerial Port Flight
- 135th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 135th Maintenance Operations Flight
- 135th Maintenance Squadron
- 135th Operations Support Flight
- 135th Airlift Squadron (1996-Present)
- 175th Operations Group
- 104th Fighter Squadron (1962-Present)
- 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 175th Civil Engineer Squadron
- 175th Communications Squadron
- 175th Information Operations Squadron
- 175th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 175th Maintenance Group
- 175th Maintenance Operations Flight
- 175th Maintenance Squadron
- 175th Medical Group
- 175th Mission Support Group
- 175th Mission Support Flight
- 175th Operations Group
- 175th Operations Support Flight
- 175th Security Forces Squadron
- 175th Services Flight
- 235th Civil Engineer Flight
- 175th Student Flight
- 104th Fighter Squadron (1962-Present)
[edit] Bases stationed
- Martin State Airport, Maryland (1962-Present)
[edit] Aircraft operated
- A-10 Thunderbolt II (1979-Present)
- C-130 Hercules (1980-Present)
[edit] Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
- 1999-2001
- 1998-1999
- 1996
- 1992-1994
- 2006-2007
[edit] References
- ^ Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
- ^ Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)
[edit] External links
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