Louisiana Air National Guard
Encyclopedia
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
. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force
, as well as its state mission.
, 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
, 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.
Militia (United States)
The role of militia, also known as military service and duty, in the United States is complex and has transformed over time.Spitzer, Robert J.: The Politics of Gun Control, Page 36. Chatham House Publishers, Inc., 1995. " The term militia can be used to describe any number of groups within the...
of the U.S. state of 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...
. It is, along with the Louisiana Army National Guard
Louisiana Army National Guard
The Louisiana Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force...
, an element of the Louisiana National Guard
Louisiana National Guard
The Louisiana National Guard consists of the:*Louisiana Army National Guard** includes the U.S. 256th Infantry Brigade*Louisiana Air National Guard-External links:*** compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History...
. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force
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...
, as well as its state mission.
History
The present day Louisiana Air 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 WarKorean 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
159th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 159th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana.-Mission:The mission of the 159th Fighter Wing is to:* Provide mission-ready, deployable forces...
, 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.
Units
- 159th Fighter Wing159th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 159th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana.-Mission:The mission of the 159th Fighter Wing is to:* Provide mission-ready, deployable forces...
, 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... - 214th Engineering & Installation Squadron, 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...
- 236th Combat Communications Squadron236th Combat Communications SquadronThe United States Air Force's 236th Combat Communications Squadron is an Air National Guard combat communications unit located at Hammond, Louisiana...
, Hammond Northshore Regional AirportHammond, LouisianaHammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University... - 259th Air Traffic Control Squadron, Alexandria, LouisianaAlexandria, LouisianaAlexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
- 122nd Air Support Operations Squadron, Pineville, LouisianaPineville, LouisianaPineville is a city in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is adjacent to the city of Alexandria, and is part of that city's Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,829 at the 2000 census....