107th Fighter Group

107th Fighter Group
Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt · Public domain · source
Unit name	107th Fighter Group
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter
Role	Air defense, tactical fighter
Garrison	Newark Liberty International Airport

107th Fighter Group The 107th Fighter Group is a United States Air Force unit with origins in the National Guard, historically associated with the New Jersey Air National Guard and based at Newark Liberty International Airport. The group served in multiple periods of activation, participating in air defense, continental air operations, and expeditionary deployments linked to major 20th and 21st century conflicts. Its personnel and subordinate squadrons have interacted with numerous units, bases, and commands across the United States Air Force, Air National Guard, and allied forces.

History

Activated in the interwar and World War II era, the unit traces antecedents to prewar Army Air Corps organizations and later reconstitution under Air National Guard frameworks. During World War II the group was connected to theater-level organizations such as the United States Army Air Forces and supported operations that intersected with campaigns in the European Theater of Operations (World War II), linking logistic and operational efforts to formations like the Eighth Air Force, Twelfth Air Force, and other numbered air forces. Postwar reorganization under the National Security Act of 1947 and integration into the United States Air Force involved reassignment to air defense roles aligned with commands including the Air Defense Command and later the Tactical Air Command and Air Combat Command. The Cold War era saw coordination with continental air defense systems, NORAD-related structures such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and collaborations with Federal Civil Defense initiatives and strategic airlift elements. In later decades, the group participated in contingency operations tied to Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, embedding with expeditionary wings and combined task forces.

Organization and Assignments

The group’s organizational structure incorporated multiple fighter squadrons and support elements, with administrative alignment under state and federal authorities involving the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the National Guard Bureau. Subordinate units over time included fighter squadrons that associated with units like the 119th Fighter Squadron, squadrons that trained alongside Air National Guard units from neighboring states, and support links to logistics entities such as the Air Force Materiel Command and depot maintenance facilities. The 107th’s assignments connected it to numbered air forces including the First Air Force, Tenth Air Force, and air defense sectors that interfaced with regional wings such as the 26th Air Division and the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing. Stationing involved airfields and bases like Newark Airport, Mitchel Field, Westover Air Reserve Base, and coordination with joint installations such as Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst.

Aircraft Operated

Throughout its history the group flew a succession of fighter and interceptor aircraft reflecting technological shifts and doctrinal change. Early piston-engine operations involved types comparable to P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang airframes used in World War II contexts. Cold War jet transitions included first-generation fighters and interceptors akin to the F-86 Sabre and all-weather interceptors such as the F-94 Starfire. Later tactical conversions saw aircraft similar to the F-100 Super Sabre, multirole fighters like the F-4 Phantom II, and modern air superiority and strike aircraft comparable to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and export-equivalent models operated by ANG units. Airlift, reconnaissance, and support integrations occasionally linked the group’s operations with types including the C-130 Hercules and airborne command platforms such as the E-3 Sentry in joint exercises.

Campaigns and Operations

The 107th participated in campaigns and operations spanning major 20th century conflicts and post-9/11 expeditionary missions. In World War II contexts the group’s personnel and materiel contributions related to campaigns within the European Theatre of World War II and operations that intersected with campaigns like the Normandy landings and the Battle of the Bulge through support and replacement pipelines. Cold War alert rotations and NORAD-integrated patrols tied the unit into continental defense operations during crises such as the Berlin Crisis of 1961 and heightened readiness during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the post-Cold War era the group’s deployments and attachments supported Operation Desert Shield, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Northern Watch, and expeditionary tasking for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, integrating with coalition commands such as United States Central Command and combined air operations centers.

Honors and Lineage

The 107th’s lineage reflects federal recognition, state militia roots, and redesignations consistent with USAF and ANG practices under statutes including the Militia Act of 1903 traditions and administrative guidance from the National Guard Bureau. Decorations and honors associated with unit personnel and affiliated squadrons have included citations linked to campaigns recognized by the Department of the Air Force and awards parallel to decorations such as the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and campaign streamers authorized by the Center of Military History (United States). The unit’s heritage has been preserved through association with museums and historical organizations including the National Museum of the United States Air Force and state-level aviation heritage groups in New Jersey, which document its contributions alongside other historic units like the 94th Fighter Squadron and the 56th Fighter Group.

Category:United States Air National Guard