156th Airlift Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 156th Airlift Wing is an airlift unit located at Muniz ANGB, Puerto Rico
.
was federally recognized on 23 November 1947. All PRANG activities were consolidated at the International Airport in May 1956.
On 10 April 1958, the 156th Tactical Fighter reorganized into a Fighter Group. On 1 January 1976, the 156th Tactical Fighter Group converted from F-104 Starfighter
to A-7D Corsair. The first A-7s arrived in November and the last in March 1976.
On Jan 12th 1981, in the 1981 Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport attack
, 9 A-7'S were blown up. In the largest attack ever on American Air Force Base since the Vietnam War
. The hostage situation in Iran overshadowed this development. The eleven National Guard planes at Muñiz Air Base were alleged by socialist organizations to be destined for use against popular insurgents in El Salvador. These allegations were never proven and may have been self-serving.
On 1 August 1987, the 156th Tactical Fighter Group reorganized into a Four-Deputy structure according to the new Air National Guard policy.
The unit took part, from 24–28 June 1991, in Granada South exercise, Panama.
From 11–18 August 1991, it deployed to Iquique, Chile for Condor II Exercise and then from 18-24 Aug 1991, to Asuncion with the Paraguayan Air Force for training. From 7–20 September 1991, it deployed to Fortunata II, Volk Field, Wisconsin and then again from 2–6 December 1991, to Granada South, Panama.
From 20 February to 6 March 1993, the unit took part in the "Caminos de Paz" exercise at Golfito, and then deployed from 12-21 Aug 1993, to Asunción, Paraguay, marking its First F-16 Deployment. From 5–13 November 1994, the unit took part in the Condor III Exercise held in Iquique, Chile.
On 1 Oct 1995, 156th Fighter Group was officially redesignated as Fighter Wing, before taking part from 21–30 October 1995 in Operation Tiger II. This was the first time U.S. Forces had deployed to Brazil since World War II. The 156 FW then deployed to Tyndall AFB from 12–18 November 1995. The 156 FW held its Mobility Exercise on 20 January 1996 and its Mobility Exercise on 18–19 October 1996.
On 14–17 November 1996, the 156 FW took part in Operational Readiness Inspection, Phase I. In February 1997, the 156th Fighter Wing Mobility Exercise was conducted at Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba. 80% of personnel mobilized to conduct dramatic war time situations. From 19–22 March 1997, the 156th Fighter Wing Operational Readiness Inspection was held at Roosevelt Roads.
On 22 November 1997, Muñiz Air National Guard Base received its first C-130s while celebrating its 50th federal recognition Anniversary. On 10 February 1998, the Air Force announced conversion of the 156th Fighter Wing from F-16A/B Fighting Falcon aircraft to C-130 aircraft and on 3 March 1998 Last F-16 departed from the 156th Fighter Wing. On 11 September 1998 a ceremony was held to mark the arrival of the first C-130. On 1 October 1998, the Department of the Air Force issued the official order designating the 156th Fighter Wing as 156th Airlift Wing.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 156th Airlift Wing is an airlift unit located at Muniz ANGB, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Mission
The mission of the 156th Airlift Wing is to provide global airlift and agile force to execute and accomplish tasked mission. Support Southern Command in theater airlift and joint military exercises while displaying military capabilities and bolster United States ties with our Latin American neighbors.History
The Puerto Rico Air National GuardPuerto Rico Air National Guard
The Puerto Rico Air National Guard is the air force militia of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is, along with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, an element of the Puerto Rico National Guard.History=...
was federally recognized on 23 November 1947. All PRANG activities were consolidated at the International Airport in May 1956.
On 10 April 1958, the 156th Tactical Fighter reorganized into a Fighter Group. On 1 January 1976, the 156th Tactical Fighter Group converted from F-104 Starfighter
F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
to A-7D Corsair. The first A-7s arrived in November and the last in March 1976.
On Jan 12th 1981, in the 1981 Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport attack
1981 Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport attack
On January 12, 1981, the Ejército Popular Boricua , a Puerto Rican terrorist organization, carried out multiple bombings at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. At the time, it was the largest attack on U.S. military forces since the Vietnam War.The bombings took place at the Air National...
, 9 A-7'S were blown up. In the largest attack ever on American Air Force Base since the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The hostage situation in Iran overshadowed this development. The eleven National Guard planes at Muñiz Air Base were alleged by socialist organizations to be destined for use against popular insurgents in El Salvador. These allegations were never proven and may have been self-serving.
On 1 August 1987, the 156th Tactical Fighter Group reorganized into a Four-Deputy structure according to the new Air National Guard policy.
The unit took part, from 24–28 June 1991, in Granada South exercise, Panama.
From 11–18 August 1991, it deployed to Iquique, Chile for Condor II Exercise and then from 18-24 Aug 1991, to Asuncion with the Paraguayan Air Force for training. From 7–20 September 1991, it deployed to Fortunata II, Volk Field, Wisconsin and then again from 2–6 December 1991, to Granada South, Panama.
From 20 February to 6 March 1993, the unit took part in the "Caminos de Paz" exercise at Golfito, and then deployed from 12-21 Aug 1993, to Asunción, Paraguay, marking its First F-16 Deployment. From 5–13 November 1994, the unit took part in the Condor III Exercise held in Iquique, Chile.
On 1 Oct 1995, 156th Fighter Group was officially redesignated as Fighter Wing, before taking part from 21–30 October 1995 in Operation Tiger II. This was the first time U.S. Forces had deployed to Brazil since World War II. The 156 FW then deployed to Tyndall AFB from 12–18 November 1995. The 156 FW held its Mobility Exercise on 20 January 1996 and its Mobility Exercise on 18–19 October 1996.
On 14–17 November 1996, the 156 FW took part in Operational Readiness Inspection, Phase I. In February 1997, the 156th Fighter Wing Mobility Exercise was conducted at Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba. 80% of personnel mobilized to conduct dramatic war time situations. From 19–22 March 1997, the 156th Fighter Wing Operational Readiness Inspection was held at Roosevelt Roads.
On 22 November 1997, Muñiz Air National Guard Base received its first C-130s while celebrating its 50th federal recognition Anniversary. On 10 February 1998, the Air Force announced conversion of the 156th Fighter Wing from F-16A/B Fighting Falcon aircraft to C-130 aircraft and on 3 March 1998 Last F-16 departed from the 156th Fighter Wing. On 11 September 1998 a ceremony was held to mark the arrival of the first C-130. On 1 October 1998, the Department of the Air Force issued the official order designating the 156th Fighter Wing as 156th Airlift Wing.
Major Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(1998–Present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1992–1998) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1960–1992)
Previous designations
- 156th Airlift Wing (1998–Present)
- 156th Fighter Wing (1995–1998)
- 156th Fighter Group (1992–1995)
- 156th Tactical Fighter Group (1960–1992)
Squadrons assigned
- 198th Airlift Squadron198th Airlift SquadronThe 198th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 156th Airlift Wing.-Mission:...
(1960–Present) - 140th Air Defense Squadron (1976–1998)
- 141st Air Ground Defense Squadron (1982–1998)
- 285th Combat Communications Squadron (2010–Present)
Aircraft Operated
- C-130EC-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
(1998–Present) - F-16A ADF/BF-16 Fighting FalconThe General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
(1992–1998) - A-7D/KA-7 Corsair IIThe Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
(1975–1992) - C-26AC-26 Metroliner|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Donald, David, general editor. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, ON: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X....
(1990s) - O-2A/BO-2 SkymasterThe O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster utilized as an observation and forward air control aircraft...
(1973-74) - VT-29A (1972-?)
- U-3A/B (1972-?)
- F-104B/C/DF-104 StarfighterThe Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
(1967–1975) - TC-131EC-131 SamaritanThe Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240.-Design and development:...
(1970s-1980s) - C-54EC-54 SkymasterThe Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
(1960s-1970s) - F-86HF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1960–1967) - F-86DF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1956–1960) - F-86EF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1952–1956) - T-33A (1950s)
- T-6T-6 TexanThe North American Aviation T-6 Texan was a single-engine advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, United States Navy, Royal Air Force and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II and into the 1950s...
(1947-?) - C-45 (1947-?)
- A-26A-26 InvaderThe Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
(1947-?) - C-47C-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1947-1960s) - P-47NP-47 ThunderboltRepublic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...
(1947–1952)