159th Fighter Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 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 (122 FS) is tasked to provide air superiority over Louisiana and the Gulf Coast while supporting USNORTHCOM and NORAD. To perform this vital role requires active air defense alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
was originally formed in December 1940 as the 122nd Observation Squadron, a National Guard unit of the then-US Army Air Corps. Since its inception, the Louisiana ANG has participated in World War II, the Korean War
, the Cold War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Kosovo, Operation Noble Eagle, Air Expeditionary Force Deployments, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism.
The Louisiana ANG's flying unit, the 159th Fighter Wing (159 FW), is nicknamed the "Bayou Militia" and operationally-gained by the Air Combat Command
(ACC). Previously nicknamed the "Cajun Militia", and before that the "Coonass Militia." The title "Coonass Militia" was changed to "Cajun Militia" in 1992 because of concerns about its "political incorrectness". In the late 1990s the Cajun Militia title was changed to the current "Bayou Militia."
A trained force of more than 1500 men and women, the 159 FW contains one of the Air National Guard's premier F-15 fighter wings.
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 provides its troops an opportunity to enjoy civilian life while contributing to the welfare of the country, state and community.
The 159th Fighter Wing flies F-15C and F-15D aircraft with a primary mission of air sovereignty.
On June 25, 1999, members of the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans ANG, while on deployment to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, flying F-15A aircraft, intercepted two Russian TU-95 "Bear-H" aircraft.
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.
In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, the Department of Defense recommended to realign the 142d Fighter Wing
(ANG) at Portland IAP AGS, Oregon, by distributing the wing's F-15 aircraft to the 159th Fighter Wing (ANG), New Orleans ARS, Louisiana (nine aircraft) and another installation. New Orleans had above average military value for reserve component bases, and realigning aircraft from Portland would create another optimum-sized fighter squadron at New Orleans. By relocating the geographically separated Air National Guard squadron onto New Orleans, the Air Force would best utilize available facilities on the installation while reducing the cost to the government to lease facilities in the community
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.
This Fighter Wing also includes the 159th CAM Squadron (Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance).
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 159th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The 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...
fighter unit located at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
.
Mission
The mission of the 159th Fighter Wing is to:- Provide mission-ready, deployable forces
- Provide secure and efficient air base operations
- Deter, prevent and defeat threats to the homeland
- Provide immediate emergency support to civil authorities in accordance with the Stafford Act
- Be an active part of the local community with support and participation
- Report to the Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard and to 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 ....
's 12th Air Force
The 159th Fighter Wing, along with its operational flying unit, the 122nd Fighter Squadron (122 FS) is tasked to provide air superiority over Louisiana and the Gulf Coast while supporting USNORTHCOM and NORAD. To perform this vital role requires active air defense alert 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
History
The present day Louisiana Air National GuardLouisiana Air National Guard
The Louisiana Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is, along with the Louisiana Army National Guard, an element of the Louisiana National Guard...
was originally formed in December 1940 as the 122nd Observation Squadron, a National Guard unit of the then-US Army Air Corps. Since its inception, the Louisiana ANG has participated in World War II, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the Cold War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, Kosovo, Operation Noble Eagle, Air Expeditionary Force Deployments, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Global War on Terrorism.
The Louisiana ANG's flying unit, the 159th Fighter Wing (159 FW), is nicknamed the "Bayou Militia" and operationally-gained by the Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air 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 ....
(ACC). Previously nicknamed the "Cajun Militia", and before that the "Coonass Militia." The title "Coonass Militia" was changed to "Cajun Militia" in 1992 because of concerns about its "political incorrectness". In the late 1990s the Cajun Militia title was changed to the current "Bayou Militia."
A trained force of more than 1500 men and women, the 159 FW contains one of the Air National Guard's premier F-15 fighter wings.
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 provides its troops an opportunity to enjoy civilian life while contributing to the welfare of the country, state and community.
The 159th Fighter Wing flies F-15C and F-15D aircraft with a primary mission of air sovereignty.
On June 25, 1999, members of the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans ANG, while on deployment to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, flying F-15A aircraft, intercepted two Russian TU-95 "Bear-H" aircraft.
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.
In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, the Department of Defense recommended to realign the 142d Fighter Wing
142d Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 142d Fighter Wing is a unit located in Oregon.-Mission:To serve the nation, State, and community by providing mission-ready units, personnel and equipment for:* Air defense of the Pacific Northwest....
(ANG) at Portland IAP AGS, Oregon, by distributing the wing's F-15 aircraft to the 159th Fighter Wing (ANG), New Orleans ARS, Louisiana (nine aircraft) and another installation. New Orleans had above average military value for reserve component bases, and realigning aircraft from Portland would create another optimum-sized fighter squadron at New Orleans. By relocating the geographically separated Air National Guard squadron onto New Orleans, the Air Force would best utilize available facilities on the installation while reducing the cost to the government to lease facilities in the community
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.
This Fighter Wing also includes the 159th CAM Squadron (Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance).
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 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–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...
/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...
(1971–1992) - 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...
/Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(1968–1971) - 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 Defense Command (1947–1971)
Previous designations
- 159th Fighter Wing (1995–Present)
- 159th Fighter Group (1992–1995)
- 159th Tactical Fighter Group (1971–1992)
- 159th Fighter Interceptor Group (1960?-1971)
Units assigned
- 159th Operations Group
- 122nd Fighter Squadron122nd Fighter SquadronThe 122nd Fighter Squadron is an active unit of the Louisiana Air National Guard, which flies the F-15C/D Eagle. Its parent unit is the 159th Fighter Wing.-Mission:...
(1946–Present) - 159th Operations Support Flight
- 122nd Fighter Squadron
- 159th Maintenance Group (???-2008?)
- 159th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 159th Maintenance Squadron
- 159th Maintenance Operations Flight
- 159th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 159th Mission Support Group
- 159th Civil Engineering Squadron
- 159th Communications Squadron
- 159th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 159th Security Forces Squadron
- 159th Mission Support Flight
- 159th Services Flight
- 159th Medical Group
- 159th Medical Squadron
Bases stationed
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New OrleansNaval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New OrleansNaval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans is a base of the United States military located in Belle Chasse, unincorporated Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, United States. NAS JRB New Orleans is home to the 159th Fighter Wing as well as other naval activities...
, (1957–Present) - Naval Air Station Lakefront New Orleans La (19??-1957) until base moved to Belle Chase La
Aircraft & Missiles Operated
- F-15C/D EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
2007–Present - F-15A/B Eagle 1985-2007
- F-4 Phantom IIF-4 Phantom IIThe McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
(???-1986) - F-100D Super Sabre (1971-???)
- F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
(1960–1971) - F-86D Sabre (19??-1960)