113th Wing

113th Wing
United States Air Force · Public domain · source
Unit name	113th Wing
Caption	Emblem of the 113th Wing
Dates	1923–present
Country	United States
Type	Wing
Role	Air Defense, Air Refueling, Intelligence
Command structure	Air National Guard, United States Air Force
Garrison	Will Rogers World Airport

113th Wing is an Air National Guard formation with lineage tracing to a 1920s aviation unit. Stationed at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the Wing has transitioned through fighter, reconnaissance, and refueling roles while supporting national and international operations. It operates under dual state and federal status, contributing to domestic response efforts for Hurricane Katrina, Tropical Storm Harvey, and other homeland missions, alongside overseas deployments to theaters associated with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

History

The unit originated from early 20th-century aviation elements that later became part of the National Guard Bureau structure and post-World War II United States Air Force organization. During the Cold War the formation integrated into continental air defense networks alongside units from Air Defense Command and later Tactical Air Command. In the late 20th century the Wing adopted roles tied to strategic mobility connected with Strategic Air Command transitions and the reorganization of Air Mobility Command. The post-9/11 security environment accelerated federal activations supporting Operation Noble Eagle and expeditionary rotations linked to Combined Joint Task Force operations. Throughout peacetime, the Wing supported civil authorities during crises like Great Flood of 1993 and domestic emergency logistics coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mission and Organization

The Wing’s mission has encompassed air sovereignty, aerial refueling, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions in coordination with North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Northern Command, and Air National Guard state leadership. Organizationally it reports to the National Guard Bureau when not federalized and aligns operationally with gaining commands such as Air Combat Command or Air Mobility Command depending on assigned aircraft and mission sets. The unit provides trained personnel to support joint operations with formations like United States Central Command, United States European Command, and interagency partners including Department of Homeland Security taskings. Training and readiness align with standards promulgated by Air Force Instruction 36-2201 and readiness frameworks linked to the Total Force concept.

Units and Structure

The Wing comprises multiple subordinate elements including operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups, mirrored in structures similar to active-duty wings such as 1st Fighter Wing, 94th Airlift Wing, and 157th Air Refueling Wing. Squadrons historically associated with the Wing have included fighter and refueling squadrons paralleling designations used by formations like 125th Fighter Wing and 151st Air Refueling Wing. Administrative support interfaces with state-level organizations such as the Oklahoma National Guard and federal organizations like Air Force Personnel Center. Deployable expeditionary units follow force-generation models comparable to the Air Expeditionary Force construct, enabling integration with units like 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Aircraft and Equipment

Over its history the Wing has operated a succession of aircraft types reflecting evolving missions, mirroring transitions seen in units operating F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon families. The later acquisition of tanker platforms aligned it with fleets such as the KC-135 Stratotanker and aerial refueling doctrine promulgated by Air Mobility Command. In intelligence and reconnaissance roles the Wing employed systems comparable to sensors used on platforms like the RC-26, and in tactical air defense periods it flew interceptors analogous to those in the inventories of MiG-21 adversary assessments. Support equipment includes ground systems standardized under Defense Logistics Agency contracts and maintenance practices consistent with Technical Order procedures.

Deployments and Operations

The Wing has been mobilized for domestic disaster response, international conflict support, and homeland defense missions. Notable activations involved support for Operation Desert Storm logistics, continuous expeditionary rotations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and personnel contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom advisory and combat support missions. Continental deployments included airspace defense missions under Operation Noble Eagle, and humanitarian airlift and aeromedical missions coordinated with United States Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command taskings. The Wing participated in multi-national exercises with partners from NATO and bilateral exercises with forces from nations such as Canada and Mexico.

Insignia and Traditions

Insignia and unit heraldry reflect Oklahoma heritage and Air National Guard lineage, incorporating imagery paralleling state symbols like those in the Oklahoma state seal and motifs common to units honored with awards such as the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Ceremonial traditions align with Guard practices during change-of-command events similar to rites observed by 1st Air National Guard formations. The Wing maintains lineage and honors documented in institutional records preserved by archives connected to the Air Force Historical Research Agency and state military museums.

Category:Wings of the United States Air National Guard Category:Military units and formations in Oklahoma