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177TH FIGHTER WING

Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey (Get Directions)

The 177th Fighter Wing is located at the Atlantic City International Airport, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The wing has been at this location since 1958. Our Mission Aircraft is a single seat F-16C, Fighting Falcon, aircraft. Since October 1998, the wing has had an active involvement in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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EXPLORE

State Benefits

The Air Guard offers a regular paycheck, tuition assistance and more. Benefits include money for education through the Montgomery G.I. Bill, a military retirement plan, affordable health and life insurance – even access to free space-available air travel.
STATE BENEFITS
Education Benefits

100% tuition waiver (up to 16 credit hours per semester) at any NJ state (public), college/university or community college for all members and surviving dependents of NJ Guard members. Available through graduate level.

Group Insurance

As a member of the Air Guard, you'll be eligible for low-cost health insurance for you and your family, along with low-cost life insurance, so you know your loved ones are protected.  These Insurances include:

  • TRICARE Dental Insurance (METLIFE) - The only dental plan sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) for National Guard/Reserve sponsors and their fmailies.  With the TDP, you will enjoy a nationwide network of more than 65,000 participating dentists, high-quality customer service and comprehensive dental coverage designed specifically with you in mind!
  • TRICARE Medical Insurance - Medical Coverage is available in different options necessary to meet the needs of different individuals.  From individuals to families insurance is available for those in full time or part time status to ensure coverage is available.  Families and Part-time  members coverage is offered through TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and  it is a premium-based health plan available worldwide to Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve (and their families) who are not eligible for, or enrolled in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.
  • Servicemans Group Life Insurance (SGLI) - SGLI is a low cost group life insurance members of the Air Guard can purchase.  SGLI coverage is available in $50,000 increments up to the maximum of $400,000.
Injury Death Benefits
Workers' Comp.
Medical Benefits
None
Miscellaneous
Public employees authorized up to 90 days military leave/yr; free hunting and fishing licenses; free admission to state parks, free burial in state veterans cemetery; distinctive auto plates.
Reimbursement
Tolls are free going to and from drills.
State Tax Advantage
No state tax on military retirement at age 62 and above.
Workers Compensation
State Active Duty
SEE NATIONAL BENEFITS

National Benefits

Members of the Air Guard receive a variety of educational and other military benefits.
NATIONAL BENEFITS
Base Post Exchange
Yes. Unlimited
Base Post Facilities
Yes. Unlimited
Base Post Theater
Yes. Unlimited
Burial Flag
Yes
Commissary
Unlimited use of commissary.
Education Benefits

Federal education benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill are available to most unit members provided they enlist for 6 years. These benefits are available to our members after completion of basic training and technical school. This program is a non-contributory benefit, meaning no payment or reduction in pay is required to receive these benefits. Federal benefits received: Montgomery GI Bill chapter 1606; up to $333 per month to offset college cost of attending college fulltime. Other Air National Guard Education Benefits for members enlisting for six years in a critical skills job may be available based on current incentive programs.  These benefits include: Montgomery GI Bill kicker up to $350 per month for full-time college enrollment, Student loan repayment program; up to $20,000 paid throughout enlistment. If you have prior military service and elected the active duty MGIB, you may still take advantage of this benefit up to a maximum of 48 months of combined benefits at the full-time rate. Find more information on the Montgomery GI Bill Rates here.

Legal Assistance
Limited
Military Burial Assistance
Yes
Military Clothing Sales Stores
Yes. Unlimited
Military Death Gratuity
Yes
Military Medical Dental
Medical, only if duty-related
Military Recreation Facilities
Yes
Military Red Cross Assistance
No
Official Library Services
Yes
Pay And Allowances

Basic pay (4 days for working 1 weekend). Non prior service enlisted members will start off between E-1 -E-3 (Airman Basic - Airman First Class). New officers that have never been in the military before start as an O-1 (2nd Lieutenant). Medical Professionals may come at a higher rank based on experience and education. The military pay scale can be viewed here.

Retirement Points

1 per drill period, 2 per day for a drill weekend. 1 per day for annual training or additional active Duty days performed throughout the year. More information can be found here.

Sgli Medical Dental
Yes. Up to $400,000. Nominal fee
Space Available Travel
Continental U.S., to include, Hi, Ak, PR, VI, GU
Survivor Benefit Plan
Yes, with 20 years service, if elected
Transient Billeting
Yes
Tricare Medical Dental

The Member is covered for Duty-related medical Dental conditions through TRICARE Dental Program (TDP), the only dental plan sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) for National Guard/Reserve sponsors and their families.  With the TDP, you will enjoy a nationwide network of more than 65,000 participating dentists, high-quality customer service and comprehensive dental coverage designed specifically with you in mind! Find more information on the TRICARE Dental Program here.

For Activated or members  serving on Active Duty for 30 days or longer medical coverage is provided/available for member and family until completion of Active Duty orders. Coverage continues for  180 days  after being released from active status if activated in support of a contingency operation.

For Traditional Part Time members, TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based health plan available worldwide to Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve (and their families) who are not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program.  

Key Features include:
• Comprehensive health coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra (in the U.S.) or TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Standard (overseas)
• Two types of coverage available: TRS member-only and TRS member-and-family
• Freedom to access covered services from any TRICARE authorized provider or hospital
• Access to military treatment facility (MTF) care on a space-available basis

Find more information on the TRICARE Reserve Select here.

Va Medical Dental
If injury/illness sustained in line of duty
VGLI Veteran Life Insurance
Yes, after retirement
Wearing Of Uniform
As required
SEE MISSION

Mission

The 177th Fighter Wing is located in New Jersey and is primarily involved in the F-16 Fighting Falcon Mission.
MISSION
Plane
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Its mission is to provide a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.
Plane
Tactical Air Control Party
The mission of the Tactical Air Control Party is to provide numerous critical functions on the modern battlefield including, advising ground forces on aircraft employment and capabilities, coordinating and controlling aerospace operations, and participating in battle planning.
This unit has the following related Missions:
This unit has the following careers available:
177th Fighter Wing has no upcoming events.