Texas Air National Guard

Texas Air National Guard
Unit name	Texas Air National Guard
Dates	1923–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Texas
Branch	Air National Guard
Command structure	Texas Military Department, National Guard Bureau, Air National Guard
Garrison	Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas
Battles	World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War

Texas Air National Guard. The Texas Air National Guard is the aerial militia of the State of Texas, operating as both a state and federal military reserve force. It is a component of the Texas Military Department and the United States Air Force's Air National Guard. With a lineage dating to the 1920s, its units have participated in every major U.S. conflict since World War II and perform vital homeland security and disaster response missions within Texas.

History

The origins trace to the federally recognized 111th Observation Squadron in 1923, initially part of the Texas National Guard and flying Curtiss JN-4 biplanes. During World War II, its units were federalized, with the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron seeing action in the European Theater of Operations. In the postwar 1947 formation of the United States Air Force, the modern Texas Air National Guard was established. Its units were activated during the Korean War and the Berlin Crisis of 1961, and it played a significant role in the Vietnam War, with RF-4C Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft deployed to Southeast Asia. The 149th Fighter Wing became one of the first guard units to convert to the F-16 Fighting Falcon in the 1980s. Following the September 11 attacks, Texas Air National Guard fighter units began continuous combat air patrols under Operation Noble Eagle and deployed extensively to Southwest Asia for the Global War on Terrorism.

Organization

The Texas Air National Guard is administered by the Texas Military Department under the Governor of Texas, with its headquarters at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. For federal missions, it is commanded by the National Guard Bureau and falls under the United States Department of the Air Force. The primary command is the Texas Air National Guard Headquarters, which oversees all flying wings and geographically separated units. It is an integral part of the Total Force Integration concept, routinely training and deploying with Active Duty United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve units.

Major units and bases

The largest unit is the 149th Fighter Wing, an F-16 Fighting Falcon training wing located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland AFB. The 136th Airlift Wing, based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, operates the C-130H Hercules for tactical airlift. The 147th Attack Wing at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston flies the MQ-9 Reaper for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Other key units include the 254th Combat Communications Group at Garland and the 272nd Engineering Installation Squadron at Brownsville. The Texas State Guard provides complementary state-duty support.

Missions and operations

Its dual mission encompasses federal combat operations and state emergency response. Federal missions include worldwide aerospace control, airlift, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of United States Northern Command, United States Southern Command, and United States Central Command. State missions, directed by the Governor of Texas, involve disaster relief for events like Hurricane Harvey, wildfire support, and security assistance. Personnel consistently deploy for operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Aircraft

The inventory includes multi-role fighters like the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, primarily used for air-to-air combat and close air support. The C-130H Hercules provides tactical airlift and aerial firefighting capabilities. The remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper is employed for persistent strike and reconnaissance. Past aircraft have included the F-102 Delta Dagger, F-4 Phantom II, RF-4C Phantom II, and A-7 Corsair II. Maintenance is performed by highly skilled aircraft maintenance technicians across the wings.

Notable personnel

Brigadier General John B. Connally Jr. served as a navigator in World War II before becoming Governor of Texas. Lieutenant Colonel James H. Kasler, a 111th Fighter Squadron pilot, was a highly decorated Korean War ace and Vietnam War prisoner of war. Major General Charles D. Metcalf served as Director of the Air National Guard. The guard has also produced several NASA astronauts, including Colonel Michael E. Fossum, who flew on Space Shuttle missions and served as Commander of the International Space Station.

Category:Texas Air National Guard Category:Air National Guard Category:Military in Texas