Montana Air National Guard
Encyclopedia
The Montana Air National Guard is the air force
militia
of the U.S. state
of Montana
. It is, along with the Montana Army National Guard
, an element of the Montana National Guard
.
120th Fighter Wing
The 120th Fighter Wing originated in 1947 as the 186th Fighter Squadron, flying F-51D figheters and saw combat in Korea
in 1951 - 1952. In 1953, the 186th was the first Air National Guard unit to receive the F-86 Sabre jet.
The transition into the F-89C Scorpion in 1955 provided an all weather capability fighter interceptor for more than 10 years and included the "H" and "J" models. The 186th Fighter Squadron was expanded in 1966 with the receipt of the F-102A Delta Dagger and upgraded to the F-106 Delta Dart in 1972. In 1987 the 120th Fighter Wing transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In 2005 BRAC
directed a change to the 120th. In 2008 The F-16Cs were re-located to the Vermont Air National Guard
while the Montana ANG received 18 F-15C Eagle fighters, mostly coming from the Missouri Air National Guard
.
Subordinate units of the 120th Fighter Wing are:
Other Montana Air National Guard units are:
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
. It is, along with the Montana Army National Guard
Montana Army National Guard
The Montana Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
, an element of the Montana National Guard
Montana National Guard
The Montana National Guard consists of the:* Montana Army National Guard* Montana Air National Guard ** 120th Fighter Wing ** 219th RED HORSE Squadron When National Guard troops are called to federal service, the President serves as Commander-in-Chief...
.
120th Fighter Wing120th Fighter WingThe United States Air Force's 120th Fighter Wing is a unit located at Great Falls International Airport, Montana.-Mission:The 120th Fighter Wing, as part of the Montana Air National Guard,serves a dual mission:...
The 120th Fighter Wing originated in 1947 as the 186th Fighter Squadron, flying F-51D figheters and saw combat in KoreaKorean 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...
in 1951 - 1952. In 1953, the 186th was the first Air National Guard unit to receive the F-86 Sabre jet.
The transition into the F-89C Scorpion in 1955 provided an all weather capability fighter interceptor for more than 10 years and included the "H" and "J" models. The 186th Fighter Squadron was expanded in 1966 with the receipt of the F-102A Delta Dagger and upgraded to the F-106 Delta Dart in 1972. In 1987 the 120th Fighter Wing transitioned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In 2005 BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
directed a change to the 120th. In 2008 The F-16Cs were re-located to the Vermont Air National Guard
Vermont Air National Guard
The Vermont Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Vermont. It is, along with the Vermont Army National Guard, an element of the Vermont National Guard.-158th Fighter Wing:The 158th Fighter Wing was formed in 1946...
while the Montana ANG received 18 F-15C Eagle fighters, mostly coming from the Missouri Air National Guard
Missouri Air National Guard
The Missouri Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is, along with the Missouri Army National Guard, an element of the Missouri National Guard...
.
Subordinate units of the 120th Fighter Wing are:
- 186th Fighter Squadron186th Fighter SquadronThe 186th Fighter Squadron flies the F-15C Eagle. It is a unit of the Montana Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 120th Fighter Wing.-World War II:...
Other Montana Air National Guard units are:
- 219th RED HORSE Squadron