187th Fighter Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 187th Fighter Wing (187 FW) is a unit located at Dannelly Field
, Alabama
.
In 1971, the Thunderflash was replaced by the RF-4C Phantom II, which was flown for 17 years. From 1971-1982, the group remained in the reconnaissance role. The 187th won many honors during this timeframe, including the best reconnaissance unit in the nation in the Photo Finish "81" competition.
In 1982, the 187th changed missions from reconnaissance to the multi-purpose fighter role after acquiring the F-4D. The Group established itself as a premier tactical fighter unit by capturing overall top honors in the ANG Fangsmoke competition in 1987. In October 1988, the Group converted to the F-16.
In June 2011, the wing's commander, Colonel Jeffery Smiley resigned from his position after an Air Force inspector general investigation substantiated allegations of misconduct by Smiley. The investigation concluded that Smiley had used an F-16 for personal trips, had improperly received pay for compensation time, had neglected to perform a climate assessment survey for three years, and had improperly coerced officers under his command to join the National Guard Association of the United States
.
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 187th Fighter Wing (187 FW) is a unit located at Dannelly Field
Montgomery Regional Airport
Montgomery Regional Airport , also known as Dannelly Field, is a joint civil-military public airport located six miles southwest of the central business district of Montgomery, a city in Montgomery County and the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
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Mission
To provide the state Governor, National Command Authority, and Combatant Commanders with a superbly equipped and trained general purpose F-16C+ Block 30 Aviation Package, associated Expeditionary Combat Support functions and RC-26B counter drug package for worldwide combat and peacetime/humanitarian tasking in support of our community, state, and national interests.160th Fighter Squadron (1947)
The roots of the 187th Fighter Wing date back to 1952 when the Alabama Air National Guard organized the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Birmingham, Alabama equipped with the RF-51 Mustang. The squadron moved to Dannelly Field on January 1, 1953, and entered the jet age with the arrival of the RF-80 in 1955. Within a year, the 160th transitioned to the RF-84 Thunderflash aircraft, which served as the squadron’s primary aircraft for the next 15 years.187th Tactical Fighter Group (1962)
The squadron was mobilized during the Berlin Crisis in 1961-1962. In August 1962, the squadron returned to normal peacetime status and was reorganized. It was then officially designated the 187th Reconnaissance Group.In 1971, the Thunderflash was replaced by the RF-4C Phantom II, which was flown for 17 years. From 1971-1982, the group remained in the reconnaissance role. The 187th won many honors during this timeframe, including the best reconnaissance unit in the nation in the Photo Finish "81" competition.
In 1982, the 187th changed missions from reconnaissance to the multi-purpose fighter role after acquiring the F-4D. The Group established itself as a premier tactical fighter unit by capturing overall top honors in the ANG Fangsmoke competition in 1987. In October 1988, the Group converted to the F-16.
In June 2011, the wing's commander, Colonel Jeffery Smiley resigned from his position after an Air Force inspector general investigation substantiated allegations of misconduct by Smiley. The investigation concluded that Smiley had used an F-16 for personal trips, had improperly received pay for compensation time, had neglected to perform a climate assessment survey for three years, and had improperly coerced officers under his command to join the National Guard Association of the United States
National Guard Association of the United States
The National Guard Association of the United States was founded in 1878 as a congressional lobbying organization for National Guard issues. A member of the Military Coalition, NGAUS lobbies on behalf of 45,000 officers who comprise the membership of the organization...
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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...
(1962–1992)
Previous designations
- 187th Fighter Wing (1992–Present)
- 187th Fighter Group (1992–1995)
- 187th Tactical Fighter Group (1962–1992)
Squadrons assigned
- 160th Fighter Squadron160th Fighter SquadronThe 160th Fighter Squadron flew the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. It was unit of the Alabama Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 187th Fighter Wing...
(1947–2007) - 100th Fighter Squadron100th Fighter SquadronThe 100th Fighter Squadron currently flies the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 187th Fighter Wing...
(2007–present)
Aircraft & Missiles Operated
- Fairchild RC-26B Metroliner (???-Present)
- General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon (1994–Present)
- General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1988–1994)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II (1983–1988)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II (1971–1983)
- Republic RF-84F Thunderflash (1956–1971)
- Lockheed RF-80 Shooting Star (1955–1956)
- North American RF-51D Mustang (1952–1955)
- Lockheed RF-80A Shooting Star (1951–1952)
- North American P-51D Mustang (1947–1951)
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1998-2000
- 1995-1997
- 1991-1993
See also
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
- 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...
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe 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...