Oregon Air National Guard

Oregon Air National Guard
Unit name	Oregon Air National Guard
Caption	F-15 Eagle of the Oregon Air National Guard
Dates	1946–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	State of Oregon
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Air force militia
Role	Air defense, airlift, search and rescue
Garrison	Portland Air National Guard Base
Motto	"Protect and Serve"
Notable commanders	Governor of Oregon

Oregon Air National Guard

The Oregon Air National Guard is the aerial militia component of Oregon's National Guard (United States), serving both state and federal authorities under the United States Department of Defense, Governor of Oregon, and the United States Secretary of the Air Force. Activated in the post-World War II reorganization of the United States Army Air Forces, the force has operated from installations such as Portland Air National Guard Base and collaborated with units including the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command.

History

The origins trace to federal recognition of aerial units after World War II and the establishment of the United States Air Force in 1947, with early lineage linked to prewar aviation squadrons and veterans of the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of World War II. During the Korean War and the Vietnam War the organization mobilized in coordination with the Department of Defense and the North American Aerospace Defense Command for continental air defense alongside regular Air Force wings. In the post-Cold War era the unit adjusted force structure following the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations and participated in operations following the September 11 attacks, including contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Organization and Units

The Oregon Air National Guard comprises wings, groups, and squadrons organized for air defense, airlift, and support, with headquarters at Portland International Airport and relationships with the Oregon National Guard and the Oregon State Police for state missions. Principal elements have included fighter wings operating under the Air Combat Command and airlift units aligned with Air Mobility Command, integrating with federal formations such as the Pacific Air Forces for regional exercises. Support units coordinate with civilian agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state emergency management offices, and local law enforcement during domestic responses.

Roles and Missions

Primary missions include air sovereignty alert, tactical air defense, tactical airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and search and rescue, supporting operations under presidential mobilization orders and gubernatorial emergency proclamations. The organization executes homeland defense missions in coordination with NORAD and provides disaster response during events like Pacific Northwest storms and seismic incidents referenced to the Cascadia subduction zone. Overseas, it performs strategic and tactical airlift in theater support to operations run by the United States Central Command, United States Northern Command, and multinational coalitions established by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Equipment and Aircraft

Historically equipped with a progression of fighters and transports, the force has flown aircraft including legacy fighters similar to the F-15 Eagle and transport platforms akin to the C-130 Hercules, with logistics and maintenance supported through depots modeled after Ogden Air Logistics Complex and Tinker Air Force Base practices. Ground systems include air defense radars interoperable with Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System networks and command systems compatible with Airborne Warning and Control System protocols. Contractor partnerships for sustainment mirror arrangements used by the Defense Logistics Agency and Lockheed Martin in regional maintenance programs.

Deployments and Operations

Units have deployed to theaters supporting Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, participating in expeditionary rotations under Air Expeditionary Force constructs and multinational exercises such as Red Flag and RIMPAC. State missions have included search and rescue and humanitarian assistance following incidents like major floods and wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, coordinated with entities such as the United States Coast Guard, National Hurricane Center advisories when relevant, and state emergency operations centers. Interagency domestic operations have also involved collaboration with United States Northern Command homeland defense taskings and FEMA-led recovery efforts.

Notable Personnel and Awards

Notable members have included career aviators and commanders who attained recognition across service awards like the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, and Air Medal for combat and peacetime service, as well as state-level honors conferred by the Governor of Oregon. Units have received citations and commendations similar to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and campaign streamers associated with Southwest Asia Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal rotations. Personnel have participated in leadership exchanges with organizations such as the United States Air Force Academy and been alumni of training institutions like Air University.

Category:Military in Oregon Category:Air National Guard units