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| 145th Airlift Group | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 145th Airlift Group |
| Caption | Emblem of the group |
| Dates | Established 1962–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Air National Guard |
| Type | Airlift |
| Role | Tactical airlift, aeromedical evacuation |
| Garrison | Portland Air National Guard Base |
| Identification symbol | 145 AG emblem |
145th Airlift Group is an Air National Guard airlift formation assigned to tactical airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions. The unit operates strategic and tactical transport aircraft in support of state, national, and international taskings, integrating with active duty formations and allied air forces. It traces lineage through Cold War reorganizations and post‑9/11 expeditionary deployments, contributing to humanitarian relief, combat logistics, and joint operations.
The unit was constituted amid Cold War force structure changes influenced by the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the Vietnam War, and Air Force Realignment initiatives under the Pentomic Division era. During the late 20th century the group participated in NATO exercises such as Operation Reforger, interoperability trials with United States European Command, and crisis response linked to Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Shield. In the post‑Cold War period the group supported United States Southern Command engagements, disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina, and expeditionary rotations for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The group has worked alongside components of the Air Mobility Command, Pacific Air Forces, and multinational partners including the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Canadian Forces.
The group's mission emphasizes rapid global mobility, aeromedical evacuation, and tactical airlift in support of federal and state authorities. It trains to execute intra‑theater airlift for units deploying to Central Command and European Command theaters, supports contingency operations directed by the National Guard Bureau, and provides disaster response for incidents such as Mount St. Helens eruption aftermath and regional floods. The unit maintains readiness for taskings from the Department of Defense and coordinates with civil agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state emergency management counterparts.
The group comprises operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical components aligned with Air National Guard organizational models. Key subordinate elements include an operations squadron, maintenance squadron, mission support group, and aeromedical evacuation squadron, each interoperating with higher echelon headquarters such as the ANG Readiness Center and attached wings under Air National Guard Bureau tasking. The unit’s command relationships have included federalization under presidential orders and assignment to numbered air forces like the 18th Air Force during contingencies.
Over its history the group transitioned through a series of airframes and support systems reflecting evolving airlift requirements. Platforms flown include tactical transports and utility aircraft analogous to models operated by ANG units: earlier cargo types from the Lockheed C-130 Hercules family, rotary wing support from Bell UH-1 Iroquois in joint missions, and modern aeromedical configured transports. Ground equipment and avionics upgrades paralleled programs overseen by Air Force Materiel Command and interoperability standards from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The group executed rotational deployments supporting Kosovo War logistics, Operation Iraqi Freedom sustainment flights, and Operation Enduring Freedom aeromedical evacuations. Humanitarian sorties included multinational relief with United Nations coordination following seismic events and tropical cyclones in coordination with United States Agency for International Development. Training and exercise participation included Red Flag, Cooperative Cope Thunder‑style scenarios, and bilateral exercises with Japan Self-Defense Forces and regional partners in Pacific Air Forces areas of responsibility.
The group is headquartered at a primary airfield used for Air National Guard operations and joint basing, providing ramp, maintenance, and medical facilities compatible with theater airlift requirements. Its home station integrates with state aviation infrastructure and shares logistics corridors with active duty installations and Federal Aviation Administration airspace management. The base has hosted home station exercises, contingency staging, and joint training with regional military and civil agencies.
The unit badge and insignia incorporate heraldic elements reflecting airlift heritage and state identity, approved in accordance with United States Air Force emblem regulations. The group and its personnel have received unit commendations, campaign streamers, and individual awards associated with deployments to theaters recognized by Department of Defense campaign designations. Honors include citations for disaster response, expeditionary excellence, and interoperability achievements during NATO and bilateral operations.
Category:Air National Guard units Category:Air transport units and formations of the United States Category:Military units and formations established in 1962