107th Attack Wing

107th Attack Wing
Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt · Public domain · source
Unit name	107th Attack Wing
Dates	1947–present
Country	United States
Role	Attack, reconnaissance
Size	Wing
Garrison	Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

107th Attack Wing is an air reserve formation of the United States Air Force with origins in post‑World War II air defense and a contemporary mission in remotely piloted aircraft operations. The unit connects historical airlift and fighter traditions with modern intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack roles, operating from a long‑established installation in upstate New York and participating in national and coalition operations. It maintains close ties with state authorities and federal organizations while contributing to NATO, United States Northern Command, and United States Southern Command objectives.

History

The wing traces lineage to units formed in the immediate postwar period that followed World War II demobilization and the establishment of the United States Air Force in 1947. During the Cold War the unit aligned with Air Defense Command and later with Military Airlift Command and Tactical Air Command assignments as national priorities shifted through the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the post‑Cold War era the wing adapted to expeditionary concepts endorsed by Goldwater–Nichols Act reforms and participated in operations associated with Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The transition to remotely piloted aircraft followed doctrinal developments influenced by Air Component Coordination Elements and collaborations with United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command for homeland defense and partner engagement missions.

Mission and Role

The wing’s current mission emphasizes persistent strike and intelligence support using remotely piloted aircraft to enable joint force commanders from United States Central Command, United States European Command, and United States Africa Command. It provides trained aircrew, intelligence analysts, and maintenance personnel to taskings under Air Force Reserve Command and serves as a dual‑status asset for the New York National Guard and federal mobilization. Its role supports contingency operations, homeland defense coordination with Federal Emergency Management Agency, and interagency missions with elements of Department of Homeland Security and the National Reconnaissance Office.

Units and Organization

Organizational elements include operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups modeled on Air Force modular wing constructs found in Air Force Instruction 38‑101. Key subordinate units encompass an operations group responsible for remotely piloted aircraft squadrons, a maintenance group overseeing ground support and depot interfaces with Air Logistics Complex partners, and a medical group aligned with Air Force Medical Service standards. The wing integrates personnel from components similar to Civil Air Patrol liaison cells and interoperates with active duty wings such as 432d Wing and Reserve counterparts like 919th Wing during joint taskings.

Aircraft and Equipment

Historically the unit operated fighters and transports including types akin to the North American F-51 Mustang, Republic F-84 Thunderjet, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, and mobility platforms comparable to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. In the twenty‑first century it transitioned to remotely piloted systems analogous to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper and associated sensor suites derived from AN/ASQ-236‑class pods and links compatible with Wideband Global SATCOM terminals. Ground equipment includes mission control stations, cryptologic workstations interoperable with National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency architectures, and support vehicles standardized by Air Force Materiel Command procurement frameworks.

Base and Facilities

The wing is based at an installation with historical ties to interwar aviation development and regional industrial centers, proximate to Niagara Falls and major transportation corridors linking to Buffalo, New York, Rochester, New York, and Canadian installations such as Canadian Forces Base Niagara Falls partnerships. Facilities comprise hardened hangars, secure operations centers built to TEMPEST and accreditation standards, air traffic control coordination points interfacing with Federal Aviation Administration control facilities, and training ranges used in conjunction with New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and regional civilian agencies.

Notable Operations and Deployments

The wing and its antecedent units supported air defense alert posture during the Berlin Airlift aftermath and deterrence missions through the Cold War including responses tied to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Elements mobilized for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, sustained rotations to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and provided persistent remotely piloted aircraft presence for counter‑insurgency and counter‑terrorism tasks that advanced NATO campaign objectives. The unit also contributed to domestic disaster response after events such as Hurricane Sandy and coordinated civil support in partnership with United States Northern Command and state emergency management agencies.

Honors and Emblems

Throughout its history the wing and predecessor organizations received awards and citations consistent with distinguished service in air defense, airlift, and expeditionary operations, including campaign streamers related to Southwest Asia Campaign phases and unit awards paralleling Meritorious Unit Award criteria. Its emblems reflect regional heritage, references to aeronautical tradition, and symbols consistent with heraldry overseen by Institute of Heraldry guidelines; these insignia incorporate motifs linked to local landmarks and operational missions recognized by state and federal authorities.

Category:Wings of the United States Air Force