New Hampshire Air National Guard

New Hampshire Air National Guard
Unit name	New Hampshire Air National Guard
Caption	Emblem of the New Hampshire Air National Guard
Country	United States
Allegiance	New Hampshire
Branch	United States Air National Guard
Type	Air Force militia
Role	Air defense; airlift; reconnaissance; support
Garrison	Pease Air National Guard Base
Nickname	Granite State Guard
Motto	Guardians of the Granite State
Commander1	Governor of New Hampshire
Commander1 label	State Commander
Commander2	Adjutant General of New Hampshire
Commander2 label	State Adjutant General

New Hampshire Air National Guard is the air militia component associated with the United States Air Force and the National Guard Bureau, based principally in Portsmouth at Pease Air National Guard Base. It traces lineage to post-World War II reorganizations and serves both state and federal roles under the dual-status framework involving the United States Department of Defense, the Governor of New Hampshire, and the Secretary of the Air Force. The organization supports continental defense, overseas contingency operations, and civil support missions in coordination with federal partners such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and regional entities like the New England National Guard.

History

The unit originated from post-World War II demobilization and the 1947 establishment of the United States Air Force when federalized aviation assets transitioned into state-controlled units modeled after the Air National Guard. During the Korean War the component provided personnel to units of the United States Air Force and coordinated with the Continental Air Command. In the Cold War era the organization integrated into air defense networks including the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment and interoperability initiatives with the North American Aerospace Defense Command and Strategic Air Command elements. Following the September 11 attacks the unit expanded expeditionary operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism, deploying personnel to theaters overseen by United States Central Command and United States European Command. Recent history includes transformation under the Total Force Policy and participation in homeland security responses alongside the United States Northern Command and state emergency authorities.

Organization and Units

The command structure aligns with the National Guard Bureau and the New Hampshire National Guard under the Adjutant General. Primary components include the 157th Air Refueling Wing and subordinate groups and squadrons coordinated with the Air Mobility Command when federally activated. Associated units have included airlift detachments, intelligence squadrons, and support elements synchronized with Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, and regional interagency partners such as the New Hampshire State Police and New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Liaison roles extend to the United States Northern Command components, the Civil Air Patrol, and reserve elements such as the United States Air Force Reserve Command.

Missions and Operations

Statutory missions encompass air refueling, airlift, reconnaissance support, and state-directed emergency response consistent with directives from the Governor of New Hampshire. Federal missions have included air refueling for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and rotational support for Operation Inherent Resolve. Domestic operations include disaster response coordination during events declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and homeland security support following Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and regional winter storms affecting New England. The unit routinely supports partner-nation exercises coordinated by commands such as United States European Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command.

Aircraft and Equipment

Historically equipped with tankers, transports, and utility aircraft, the primary airframe in recent decades has been the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker for air refueling missions under Air Mobility Command. Other legacy platforms have included transports aligned with C-130 Hercules variants and reconnaissance systems interoperable with MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper mission networks operated by allied units. Ground equipment comprises maintenance fleets, air traffic control assets interoperable with the Federal Aviation Administration, and logistics systems compatible with Defense Logistics Agency supply chains. Sensor suites, communications gear, and defensive systems adhere to standards promulgated by the Secretary of the Air Force and interoperability frameworks like the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System.

Base Facilities and Locations

Headquartered at Pease Air National Guard Base, the unit occupies facilities on the former Pease Air Force Base installation within the Portsmouth/Pease complex adjacent to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. Facilities include hangars, maintenance depots, fuel farms, and family support centers integrated with municipal infrastructure in Rockingham County. Training ranges and forward operating locations coordinate with regional civil aviation authorities, and contingency basing agreements exist with installations such as Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Andrews, and regional airports across Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York.

Training and Exercises

Personnel train under programs set by the Air National Guard Professional Education Center, Air Education and Training Command, and joint exercises with United States Northern Command. Regular participation includes Operation Noble Eagle air sovereignty missions, multinational exercises like Northern Edge, and bilateral training with partner forces from Canada coordinated through North American Aerospace Defense Command frameworks. Exercises emphasize air refueling proficiencies, joint terminal attack control integration with United States Army elements, and interoperability with civil agencies during FEMA-coordinated disaster response drills. Professional development leverages schools at Air University and joint training at locations such as Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst.

Notable Deployments and Honors

Deployments include sustained rotations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, contributions to Operation Unified Protector-era logistics, and homeland response during Hurricane Katrina. The unit and individual members have received recognitions consistent with awards administered by the Department of the Air Force and the Governor of New Hampshire, and have been cited for meritorious service during multinational operations and state emergencies. Collaborative missions with partners such as the Civil Air Patrol, United States Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency have reinforced regional resilience and garnered commendations from both federal and state authorities.

Category:Air National Guard units of the United States Category:Military units and formations in New Hampshire