175th Wing

175th Wing
United States Air Force · Public domain · source
Unit name	175th Wing
Dates	1962–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Air National Guard
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Wing
Role	Composite wing
Garrison	Whiteman Air Force Base (operates from St. Joseph Municipal Airport and Fort Leonard Wood)
Equipment	MQ-9 Reaper, C-130J Super Hercules

175th Wing

The 175th Wing is a composite formation of the Missouri National Guard assigned to the United States Air National Guard with mission sets spanning intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, airlift, and cyber operations. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the unit integrates unmanned aerial systems, tactical airlift, and command-and-control capabilities to support state emergency response and federal mobilizations for operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and NATO commitments. It works closely with installations including Whiteman Air Force Base, Fort Leavenworth, and interagency partners like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Overview

Formed as a tactical airlift and reconnaissance organization, the wing provides Missouri with airborne intelligence and transport assets capable of supporting United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command missions. Its composite structure combines remotely piloted aircraft operations, airlift squadrons, intelligence wings, and support groups, enabling interoperability with organizations such as the Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and multinational forces participating in exercises like Red Flag and Operation Atlantic Resolve. The wing trains for domestic disaster response alongside agencies including the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and metropolitan responders in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri.

History

Origins trace to tactical airlift units of the Air National Guard established during the Cold War, with lineage tied to units activated for the Berlin Crisis of 1961 and later for Vietnam War support roles. During the post-Cold War era the wing transitioned aircraft and missions amid Base Realignment and Closure processes, integrating unmanned systems during the Global War on Terror to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The wing adapted to 21st-century threats by adding cyber and intelligence elements similar to other Guard transformations seen in the National Guard Bureau modernization initiatives and partnering with Defense Intelligence Agency components for distributed operations.

Units and Organization

The wing comprises multiple subordinate units mirroring structures found in composite wings: an operations group hosting remotely piloted aircraft squadrons and airlift squadrons; a mission support group overseeing logistics and civil engineering similar to Air Force Civil Engineer Center relationships; an intelligence group aligned with Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency-type activities; and a medical group coordinating with Truman Medical Center and regional hospitals. Squadrons have historically collaborated with units like the 101st Air Refueling Wing, 139th Airlift Wing, and 152nd Airlift Wing for joint exercises.

Aircraft and Equipment

Primary platforms include the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft for persistent surveillance and strike-capable missions, and the C-130J Super Hercules for tactical airlift and humanitarian relief operations. The wing operates ground control stations, tactical datalinks compatible with Link 16, and maintenance equipment consistent with Air Force Materiel Command supply chains. Electronics and sensor suites include electro-optical/infrared payloads and signals intelligence gear interoperable with systems employed by National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Reconnaissance Office partners.

Operations and Deployments

Units from the wing have mobilized for overseas deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and multinational NATO efforts in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Domestic missions include disaster response for Hurricane Katrina, flood relief along the Missouri River, wildfire support in the Great Plains, and security augmentations for events such as the Presidential Inauguration and Super Bowl operations. Training deployments include participation in exercises like Red Flag, Northern Edge, and bilateral engagements with partners from Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The wing's primary facilities include hangars, ramp space, maintenance shops, and secure intelligence centers colocated near Whiteman Air Force Base and municipal airports in Missouri. Investments have focused on hardened command-and-control bunkers, ISR processing centers compatible with Distributed Common Ground System, and runways accommodating C-130 operations. Infrastructure partnerships extend to state emergency operations centers in Jefferson City, Missouri and regional logistics hubs tied to the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Commanders and Notable Personnel

Leadership has included state and federally recognized commanders drawn from Air National Guard senior officer ranks with experience in joint commands such as U.S. Southern Command and assignments to staff positions at the National Guard Bureau. Notable personnel have been deployed as squadron commanders, intelligence officers, and maintenance chiefs who later served in roles at organizations like Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency.

Category:Wings of the United States Air National Guard Category:Military units and formations established in 1962