Oregon Air National Guard - History

History

The Oregon Air National Guard origins date to 30 July 1940 with the establishment of the 123d Observation Squadron and is oldest unit of the Oregon Air National Guard. It is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.

The modern OR ANG received federal recognition on 30 August 1946 as the 142d Fighter Group at Portland Municipal Airport, Portland. Its 123d Fighter Squadron was equipped with F-51D Mustangs and its mission was the air defense of the state.

Today the 142d Fighter Wing at Portland and the 173d Figher Wing at Klamath Falls both fly the F-15 Eagle with a homeland defense mission. After the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, elements of every Air National Guard unit in Oregon has been activated in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Flight crews, aircraft maintenance personnel, communications technicians, air controllers and air security personnel were engaged in Operation Noble Eagle air defense overflights of major United States cities. Also, OR ANG units have been deployed overseas as part of Operation Noble Eagle in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq as well as other locations as directed.

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