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Library > Fact sheets > 150th Fighter Wing
150TH FIGHTER WING
Posted 9/7/2011
Printable Fact Sheet
Mission
The New Mexico Air National Guard provides unsurpassed aerospace combat capability and combat support forces to meet any contingency in the world.
Leadership
Commander
Colonel Joe A. Martinez II
History
The New Mexico Air National Guard was federally recognized on 7 July 1947 as the 188th Fighter Bomber Squadron. The unit was composed of a utility flight equipped with Douglas B-26 light bombers, a fighter squadron composed of 100 officers and airmen flying 25 P-51 mustangs and three T-6 Texan trainers, plus a small weather detachment. The 188th's mission was changed from fighter bomber to fighter-interceptor in 1948.
In December 1950, the unit was called to active duty for the Korean Conflict. A total of 54 officers and 400 airmen were assigned to Long Beach Municipal Airport, California. Most unit members were then absorbed by other Air Force units and dispatched to Japan and Korea. First Lieutenants Robert Lucas and Joseph Murray were killed while flying close air support missions in Korea. Captain Francis Williams and First Lieutenant Robert Sands were each credited with three MiG-15 kills. The unit was released from federal active duty in November 1952. In 1957, the unit was re-designated and federally recognized as the 150th Tactical Fighter Group. In October 1995, the unit was renamed the 150th Fighter Wing.
In January 1968, the group was activated as a result of the Pueblo Crisis, and in June of that year the 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron and approximately 250 maintenance and support personnel were deployed to Tuy Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Remaining group members were assigned to various bases in South Korea. The unit flew over 6000 combat sorties in the F-100 Super Sabre and amassed over 630 medals and decorations before release from federal active duty in June 1969. Captain Michael Adams was killed in action and Major Bobby Neeld and First Lieutenant Mitchell Lane are listed as missing in action. The unit received the AF Outstanding Unit Award with a bronze "V' for valor.
The New Mexico Air National Guard has undergone several aircraft conversions throughout its history, including the F-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star, F-100 Super Sabre, A-7D Corsair II, and F-16C Fighting Falcon. Major accomplishments of the unit include: First ANG unit to receive the F-100 and A-7D fighter aircraft, first ANG unit to receive the Low Altitude Night Targeting Infra Red Navigational system (LANTIRN) equipped F-16C fighter aircraft, first ANG to be assigned to the prestigious Rapid Deployment Force, first ANG unit to participate in Bright Star joint service exercises in Southwest Asia, first ANG unit to receive the Low Altitude Night Attack modification to the A-7, and first ANG unit to participate in a deployed bare base operational readiness inspection, and first ANG unit to have a crew chief as a member of the Air Force Thunderbirds.
Additionally, the 150th TFG set an A-7 and first endurance record of 11 1/2 hours non-stop from Pease AFB, New Hampshire to Cairo West Air Base, Egypt. Over the years, the 150th received the following awards: (1) Spaatz Trophy in 1956, (2) Winston P. Wilson Trophy in 1980, (3) Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards in 1989 and February 1996, (4) Top A-7 Team at Gunsmoke in 1989 and 1991, (5) Distinguished Flying Unit Award in 1991, and (6) Outstanding ANG Unit in 1991.
Previously, the 150 FW also maintained a Defense Systems Evaluation (DSE) tasking, which provided fighter aircraft support to the US Army Air Defense Center and White Sands Missile Range. Major program support included testing of various US and foreign surface-to-air missile systems and air defense artillery.
The 150th Fighter Group was partially activated in support of Operation Desert Storm. On 11 December 1990, 44 members of the 150th Security Police Flight and other unit members were deployed to Saudi Arabia. All members returned home by May 1991.
In 1995, the unit deployed to Aviano AB, Italy and flew combat missions in support of Operation Deliberate Force. In 1998, the unit deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch and then to Turkey in 2001 in support of Operation Northern Watch. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the 150 FW supported several deployments in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE to Atlantic City, NJ and March AFB, CA. Within hours of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, 150 FW pilots flew combat air patrol sorties over key resources in the western United States, and continued to do so for many months. To protect the local homeland, 150th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) personnel provided several months of security protection to the Albuquerque International Airport. The 150 FW has also made several deployments worldwide in the F-16 to Singapore, Australia, Chile, and South Korea. In May 2004, the 150 FW deploy its F-16s to Balad AB, Iraq, becoming the first U. S. Fighter squadron to be stationed at the base. In October 2007, the unit returned to Balad providing vital air support to ground troops in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In May 1992, the unit converted to the F16CG Block 40 Fighting Falcon, becoming the first and only ANG unit to fly the type. In 2002, the wing converted to the F16C Block 30 aircraft and maintained that aircraft until September 2010 with the primary mission of air interdiction.
Today, the NMANG is composed of State Headquarters, the 150th Fighter Wing, 150th Maintenance Group, 150th Operations Group, Mission Support Group, 150th Medical Group with an authorized strength of 140 officers and 811 enlisted members. In addition, the wing is assigned one C-26 support aircraft and supports both domestic and world-wide Combatant Commander tasking.
The wing is currently involved in a Chief of Staff-directed Total Force Integration with the 58th Special Operations Wing and is standing up an Intelligence Target Production Squadron and a Red Horse Squadron.
(Current as of September 2011)
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