 |
| Home > Welcome |
|
The 103rd Airlift Wing Mission is to train, organize, and equip personnel to provide an operationally-ready component of the militia to:
- Deploy and employ as directed in support of national objectives
- Support the office of the governor and provide resources in emergencies
- Participate proactively in programs benefiting the community and its members
Connecticut's Air National Guard operates from Bradley Air National Guard Base at Bradley Airport and an Air Station in Orange.
The two locations host units officially named the 103rd Airlift Wing and 103rd Air Control Squadron, which are more commonly known as the "Flying Yankees" and "Yankee Watch." In addition, a new unit formed at Bradley ANG Base in 2008 is known as the 103rd Air Operations Group or "Yankee Strike."
Sited in a new facility atop a hillside adjacent to Long Island Sound, the 103rd Air Control Squadron mission is real-time detection, identification and surveillance of air traffic for combat operations and homeland defense.
Until April 2008, the 103rd Fighter Wing provided the awesome firepower of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the warthog, for close-air support as well as combat search and rescue missions. The Flying Yankees are now an Airlift Wing with a new flying mission, an aircraft engine repair facility and recruiting has begun for an Air Operations Center at Bradley.
In a few years, the 103rd Airlift wing will receive the C-27 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA). With a proven history of innovation on the A-10 and C-21, the Flying Yankees are certain to overcome the inherent challenges of flying a new aircraft by refining training, maintenance techniques and tactical employment to ensure the success of the program. The warrior mindset of the Flying Yankees aircrew and maintenance members, garnered from decades of expeditionary experience is an ideal match for the demand of forward bases. Whether operating from austere airfields or more robust locations, the blue-suit maintenance team of the Flying Yankees will keep the JCA as ready to deliver critical cargo as they did with the lethal firepower of the A-10. The Flying Yankees can be as proud of providing the critical airlift that eliminates the need for vulnerable convoys as they are now of their ability to interdict enemy supplies. Until the JCA is ready for fielding, the wing is flying the C-21 transport aircraft providing aircrew training, high priority passenger airlift, counter drug and homeland security support, and medical evacuation. The C-21 provides the flying bridge mission essential to keeping the unit's pilots and maintainers sharp until the Joint Cargo Aircraft arrives. The Flying Yankees took over maintenance and began flying missions in support of the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center - JOSAC - on October 1, 2007.
The combat, command and planning experience of Connecticut's airmen will form the foundation of an Air Operations Center/Air Mobility Detachment (AOC/AMD) at Bradley in the 103rd Air Operations Group. Experienced fighter, airlift and bomber airmen will find exciting opportunities in the AOC/AMD not available before today. Likewise, the pool of experienced controllers from the 103rd Air Control Squadron will home-grow the brightest candidates to this mission. Connecticut's high-skill and high-tech population will ensure that recruiting can answer the call for state-of-the-art war-fighting command and control systems technicians. New opportunities exist now for tech-savvy recruits in this exciting mission to provide the air, space, information, and computer expertise to execute the mission.
The current experience with A-10 engines at Bradley has been leveraged to create a new Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility (CIRF) for the A-10 aircraft's TF-34 turbofan engines. The expansion of TF-34 engine maintenance at Bradley will ensure the current renowned expertise is not lost. An ideal fit for the region, the CIRF capitalizes on the unit's proximity to the F-22 and F-35 fighter engine production facilities, and is ideally suited to add new capability when A-10s retire from the fleet. The CIRF shipped its first engine on November 3, 2007, and coupled with the C-21 now and C-27 in the future Bradley will continue to offer training and real world aviation experience.
Connecticut based Airmen have served abroad and at home for decades, and continue to serve overseas in the Global War on Terrorism. Prior, our Connecticut based Airmen fought in World War II, Korea, the Balkans.
Within hours on 9-11, the 103 FW 'Flying Yankees' had aircraft loaded with ordinance on alert status with crews standing by; while the 103 ACS 'Yankee Watch' surveyed a critical air picture from Cape Cod, Mass. to Atlantic City, N.J.
Many 103 FW members were deployed to Middle East on 9-11 and returned to prosecute the war in Western Iraq in 2003 with the A-10's. A Bradley A-10 and pilot made air history dropping the first laser-guided bomb from an A-10 in combat during the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The success of the Bradley Airmen earned the deployed unit the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.
The global war on terror sent the 103 ACS members to Afghanistan for Operation Noble Eagle in 2003 supporting a multi national force in daily combat operations, garnering another Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor for Bradley Airmen.
Connecticut's units and Airmen assigned to the State Joint Force Headquarters, which directs the Homeland Security Mission, total 1,200 Air National Guard opportunities for you.
|
|
|
| |
The Air National Guard's federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Air National Guard units may be activated in a number of ways as prescribed by public law. Most of the laws may be found in Title 10 of the U.S. Code.
The Air National Guard provides almost half of the Air Force's tactical airlift support, combat communications functions, aeromedical evacuations and aerial refueling. In addition, the Air National Guard has total responsibility for air defense of the entire United States. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
When Air National Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they report to the governor of their respective state, territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) or the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. Each of the 54 National Guard organizations is supervised by the adjutant general of the state or territory. Under state law, the Air National Guard provides protection of life, property and preserves peace, order and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services and counterdrug operations. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air National Guard Federal Mission 