47-680: Biddle Air National Guard Base (formerly Horsham Air Guard Station , 2011–2021) is owned by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and located in Horsham Township , Montgomery County , Pennsylvania , United States . The Air National Guard plays host to many different Army National Guard Units as well as other government agencies. The site was formerly the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove . It
94-693: A DIV AFT Initial Planning Conference to clarify unit alignments for all eight ARNG Division Headquarters and synchronize activities that will facilitate unity of effort between Division Headquarters and aligned for training States." The Army National Guard fields 37 multifunctional support brigades. In 2016, the Army and the Army National Guard began a training and readiness initiative that aligned some Army brigades with National Guard division headquarters, and some National Guard brigades with Army division headquarters. Among others, this program included
141-649: A conflict over the use of Reading Municipal Airport for tactical jet operations. Unable to resolve these differences, the USAF inactivated the 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 30 June 1956. The 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron was bestowed the lineage and history of the inactivated Pennsylvania ANG's 148th FIS. The unit was re-equipped with the Curtiss C-46 Commando , and in 1958 the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar . In 1960,
188-551: A mission of air defense of the Commonwealth. The 111th Bombardment Group in Philadelphia was equipped with B-26 Invaders, assigned to Tactical Air Command as a light bombardment unit. The 53d Wing was also the headquarters for an Aircraft Control & Warning Group (AC&W Gp)located at Harrisburg State Airport and three Air Service Groups, which were colocated with its flying groups and had flights located with each of
235-517: A month-long mission in support of hurricane disaster relief efforts along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina . This was the largest state activation of Pennsylvania National Guard troops since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. These Guard members also assisted with relief efforts following Hurricane Rita . In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD recommended the 111th Fighter Wing be inactivated and its assigned A-10 aircraft be reassigned to
282-462: A staff which aids in planning and day-to-day organization and management. In addition to a chief of staff, the Director's staff includes several special staff members, including a chaplain and protocol and awards specialists. It also includes a primary staff, which is organized as directorates, divisions, and branches. The directorates of the Army National Guard staff are arranged along the lines of
329-404: A state's joint force headquarters or regional training institutes are administered as Table of distribution and allowance (TDA) units. In addition to many deployable units which are non-divisional, the Army National Guard's deployable units include eight infantry divisions. These divisions, their subordinate brigades or brigades with which the divisions have a training oversight relationship, and
376-521: A typical American military staff: G-1 for personnel; G-2 for intelligence; G-3 for plans, operations and training; G-4 for logistics; G-5 for strategic plans, policy and communications; G-6 for communications; and G-8 for budgets and financial management. Of the 45 individuals to serve as President of the United States as of 2021 , 33 had military experience. Of those 33, 21 served in the militia or ARNG. (Note: President George W. Bush served in
423-949: Is an organized militia force and a federal military reserve force of the United States Army . It is simultaneously part of two different organizations: the Militia of the United States (consisting of the ARNG of each state, most territories, and the District of Columbia ), as well as the federal ARNG, as part of the National Guard as a whole (which includes the Air National Guard ). It is divided into subordinate units stationed in each state or insular area, responsible to their respective governors or other head-of-government. The Guard's origins are usually traced to
470-519: Is long but shows the steady improvement in aircraft: PT-1, BT-1, O-1, O-2H, O-11, O-38, O-46,-47A, O-47B, O-49, O-52, O-57 and P434-1. The squadron also flew liaison type aircraft such as the L-4 and L-1B. The 103d Observation Squadron was ordered into active service on 125 November 1940 as part of the buildup of the Army Air Corps prior to the United States entry into World War II. On 24 May 1946,
517-586: Is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II . The pilots of the 103d flew a wide variety of observation aircraft for the next 18 years. The most well-known of these aircraft was the JN-4 Jenny. The Jenny was an open-cockpit bi-plane; but was replaced in the 1930s and early 1940s with metal-skinned, prop-driven observation monoplanes. The list
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#1732786787714564-582: The 124th Wing (ANG), Gowen Field Air National Guard Base , Boise, ID (three primary aircraft); 175th Wing (ANG), Warfield Air National Guard Base , Baltimore, MD (three primary aircraft); 127th Wing (ANG), Selfridge Air National Guard Base , Mount Clemens, MI (three primary aircraft); and retire the remaining aircraft (six primary aircraft). This recommendation was part of a larger BRAC recommendation that would close NAS JRB Willow Grove , Pennsylvania. DoD claimed that this recommendation would enable Air Force Future Total Force transformation by consolidating
611-696: The 53d Fighter Wing at Philadelphia International Airport . The 53d was a command and control organization, controlling the 148th Fighter Squadron at Reading Airport, receiving federal recognition and activated on 27 February 1947. Other units of the newly formed PA ANG were the 146th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Squadron at Pittsburgh IAP, receiving federal recognition and activated on 20 December 1948 and 111th Bombardment Group (Light) and its subordinate 103d Bombardment Squadron , at Philadelphia IAP. The 111th and 103d received federal recognition and were activated on 20 December 1948. The Reading and Pittsburgh units were equipped with F-51D Mustangs, with
658-1089: The COVID-19 pandemic . The aircraft used were the EC-130J Commando Solo and the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker . The 193d SOW retired its EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft in September 2022, and began to receive its new MC-130J Commando IIs in February 2023. As the 193d SOW was the only unit within the USAF Total Force to operate the EC-130J, this marked the complete divestment of the aircraft type from operational US military inventory. [REDACTED] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency United States Army National Guard The Army National Guard ( ARNG )
705-845: The Pennsylvania Army National Guard an element of the Pennsylvania National Guard of the larger United States National Guard Bureau . As commonwealth militia units, the units in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command . They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Pennsylvania through the office of the Pennsylvania Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of
752-537: The President of the United States . The Pennsylvania Air National Guard is headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap , Pennsylvania, and its commander is Brigadier General Michael J. Regan Jr. Under the "Total Force" concept, Pennsylvania Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Pennsylvania ANG units are trained and equipped by
799-486: The State Adjutant General . The Adjutant General (TAG) is the de facto commander of a state's military forces, and reports to the state governor. Several units have been affected by Army National Guard reorganizations. Some have been renamed or inactivated. Some have had subordinate units reallocated to other commands. A partial list of inactivated major units includes: Upon the creation of
846-591: The United States Air Force in 1947, the National Guard Bureau was organized into two divisions; Army National Guard and Air National Guard . Each were headed by a major general who reported to the chief of the National Guard Bureau . The head of the Army National Guard was originally established as the chief of the Army Division at the National Guard Bureau . The position was downgraded to brigadier general in 1962 due to force reduction. It
893-662: The United States Army Air Forces , in response to dramatic postwar military budget cuts imposed by President Harry S. Truman , allocated inactive unit designations to the National Guard Bureau for the formation of an Air Force National Guard. These unit designations were allotted and transferred to various State National Guard bureaus to provide them unit designations to re-establish them as Air National Guard units. The modern Pennsylvania ANG received federal recognition on 17 January 1947 as
940-894: The 112th Tactical Fighter Group ended its air defense mission, receiving its first A-7D Corsair II aircraft and was reassigned to the Tactical Air Command. In 1991, with the retirement of the A-7D, the 112th TFG became the 112th Air Refueling Group (ARG) under Strategic Air Command, receiving KC-135 Stratotankers that it operated jointly with the 171st, which had become an air refueling Wing at Pittsburgh in October 1972. Several Air Guard units from Pennsylvania were mobilized in 1990-1991 for duty in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm . Every member returned home safely. Strategic Air Command
987-461: The 140th was notified that it would be converting once again to the much larger and faster Lockheed C-121 Constellation . Due to longer runway requirements, the C-121s could not fly from Reading Airport, and on 1 February 1961 the unit relocated to its current location at Olmsted Air Force Base (present day Harrisburg Air National Guard Base) due to the inadequate facilities at Reading. At Pittsburgh,
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#17327867877141034-573: The 147th Fighter Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 171st Air Transport Group was established on 1 February 1961. The air defense mission was changed to a military airlift mission. In 1962, the 111th transitioned from flying air defense missions to flying a large, heavy transport—the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter , a double-decked, four-engine airplane. In 1963, the 111th ended its 39-year history at Philadelphia Airport and moved to brand new facilities on
1081-460: The 148th Fighter Squadron at Reading was activated for the Korean War. The squadron was sent to Dover AFB, Delaware where it assumed an air defense mission. By 1 November 1952, all federalized PA ANG units were returned to Commonwealth control. In 1953, the 111th units at Philadelphia Airport were re-equipped with North American F-51D Mustangs and assumed an air defense mission. At Reading,
1128-551: The 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) continued its air defense mission with the Mustang until 1956. With the end of the line for the Mustang in USAF service, the United States Air Force, in an effort to upgrade to an all jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Air Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. The Reading Airport Commission and National Guard authorities found themselves in
1175-521: The A-10 fleet at installations of higher military value. Despite appeals from Ed Rendell , the Governor of Pennsylvania , the recommendations were upheld and the A-10s departed during 2010. The 103d Fighter Squadron inactivated on 31 March 2011. In May 2020, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard conducted flyovers over the areas of Pittsburgh , Johnstown and Harrisburg to salute front line workers battling
1222-588: The ARNG may be ordered, temporarily or indefinitely, into United States service. If mobilized for federal service, the member or unit becomes part of the U.S. ARNG, which is a reserve component of the U.S. Army . Individuals volunteering for active federal service may do so subject to the consent of their governors. Largely on the basis of a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision , governors generally cannot veto involuntary activations of individuals or units for federal service, either for training or national emergency. The President may also call up members and units of
1269-455: The ARNG, in its status as the militia of the several states, to repel invasion, suppress rebellion, or enforce federal laws. The Army National Guard is one of two organizations administered by the National Guard Bureau , the other being the Air National Guard . The Director of the ARNG is the head of the organization, and reports to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Because the ARNG is both
1316-478: The Air Force and are operationally gained by a Major Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window. Along with their federal reserve obligations, as commonwealth militia units
1363-578: The B-26 bombers were sent as reinforcement aircraft to Far East Air Force for use in Korea. On 10 April 1951 the squadron and Wing were moved to Fairchild AFB, Washington and re-equipped with RB-29 Superfortress reconnaissance aircraft. On 13 June 1952, two PA ANG pilots were flying an RB-29 over the Soviet Union when they were shot down by a pair of MiG-15s. The RB-29 was never recovered, having crashed in
1410-641: The National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team becoming affiliated with the Army's 10th Mountain Division and the National Guard's 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment affiliating with the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team . In addition, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division began an affiliation with the National Guard's 36th Infantry Division . Army units partnering with Army National Guard headquarters include: The Army and Air National Guard in each state are headed by
1457-515: The National Guard. The ARNG's portion of the president's proposed federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018 is approximately $ 16.2 billion to support an end strength of 343,000, including appropriations for personnel pay and allowance, facilities maintenance, construction, equipment maintenance and other activities. Deployable Army units are organized as Table of organization and equipment (TOE) organizations or modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE) organizations. Non-deployable units, such as
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1504-690: The cadre for the 111th Composite Wing, while its elements in Pittsburgh formed the cadre for the 112th Fighter Wing, which were simultaneously allotted to the ANG and activated. The 153d AC&W Gp was transferred directly to the PA ANG. The Philadelphia 103d Bomb Squadron was federalized on 10 October 1950 along with its parent 111th Composite Wing due to the Korean War. Many of the pilots and maintenance personnel were split off and sent for duty overseas as individuals assigned to other combat units there. Eventually
1551-468: The city of Salem, Massachusetts , in 1636. That year a regiment of militia drilled for the first time to defend a multi-community area within what is now the United States. The ARNG operates under Title 10 of the United States Code when under federal control, and Title 32 of the United States Code and applicable state laws when under state control. It may be called up for active duty by
1598-548: The elements of the Pennsylvania ANG are subject to being activated by order of the Governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. Commonwealth missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense. The Pennsylvania Air National Guard consists of
1645-616: The following major units: Support Unit Functions and Capabilities: The Militia Act of 1903 established the present National Guard system, units raised by the states but paid for by the Federal Government, liable for immediate state service. If federalized by Presidential order, they fall under the regular military chain of command. On 1 June 1920, the Militia Bureau issued Circular No.1 on organization of National Guard air units. The Pennsylvania Air National Guard
1692-559: The militia of the several states and a federal reserve component of the Army, neither the Chief of the National Guard Bureau nor the Director of the ARNG "commands" it. This operational command authority is performed in each state or territory by the State Adjutant General , and in the District of Columbia by the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard when a unit is in its militia status. While under federal activation,
1739-831: The north end of the Willow Grove Naval Air Station. From Willow Grove, the C-97 was used to transport troops and cargo all over the world During the Vietnam War , the PA Air Guard flew 134 supply missions to Vietnam in 1966–1967, becoming the first reserve air force ever to enter a combat zone without actually being mobilized. In 1972, widespread flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes resulted in 45 deaths and $ 3 billion in property damage. Nearly 13,000 Army and Air Guard members were called to state active duty to help with relief operations. In 1975,
1786-474: The operational command authority is transferred to the commanders of the unified combatant commands , who command all U.S. forces within their area of responsibility . The Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the ARNG serve as the channel of communications between the Department of the Army and the ARNG in each state and territory, and administer federal programs, policies, and resources for
1833-531: The squadrons assigned to the flying groups. The 112th Fighter Group was federally recognized and activated at Pittsburgh on 22 April 1949, controlling the 146th, 147th and the 148th Fighter Squadrons. At the end of October 1950, the ANG converted to the wing-base ( Hobson Plan ) organization. As a result, the wing was withdrawn from the Air National Guard and inactivated on 31 October 1950. Its personnel and those of its 211th Air Service Group formed
1880-483: The state or territorial governors to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, as well as civil disorder . The District of Columbia Army National Guard is a federal militia, controlled by the President of the United States with authority delegated to the Secretary of Defense , and through him to the Secretary of the Army . Members or units of
1927-518: The states represented by the largest units include: Army Aviation Magazine wrote on 31 March 2021 that "The ARNG is pressing forward with the Division Alignment for Training (DIV AFT) effort. The DIV AFT intent is to enhance leader development and training readiness through codified relationships across echelons and states to develop combat capable division formations for large scale combat operations. The Director, ARNG. recently convened
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1974-549: The waters off of Vladivostok, Russia. The Pennsylvanian families of the Air Guard pilots were told they had simply "vanished" in a weather-reconnaissance flight near Japan. It wasn't until the fall of the Soviet Union and the opening of communist archives that the relatives found out the truth in 1993. It is unknown as to whether any of the pilots or crew of this aircraft were captured by the Soviets at that time. In February 1951
2021-475: Was formed on 27 June 1924 as the 103d Squadron (Observation), Pennsylvania National Guard, received federal recognition as a Corps Aviation unit. The 103d was founded and eventually commanded by Major Charles Biddle, who had flown in World War I as part of the famous Lafayette Escadrille . This new National Guard squadron was based on the sod fields of Philadelphia Airport as a unit in the Army 28th Division. It
2068-536: Was inactivated in June 1992 and the 112th ARG became a part of the Air Combat Command (ACC). On 1 October 1993, with both the 112th Air Refueling Group and the 171st Air Refueling Wing at Pittsburgh, the two tanker units were consolidated with the 146th Air Refueling Squadron being reassigned to the 171st Operations Group and once again reuniting with the 147th under the same group. The 112th Air Refueling Group
2115-550: Was inactivated. Hundreds of Pennsylvania soldiers and airmen were deployed to Germany , Hungary and Bosnia in 1996–1997, in support of United Nations peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia . In 2003, some 2,000 Pennsylvania citizen soldiers and airmen were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom , searching for weapons of mass destruction, providing convoy security, rebuilding infrastructure and protecting senior officials. 2,500 Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard members were deployed in September 2005 for
2162-432: Was renamed in honor of Charles Biddle , the founder of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 103rd Observation Squadron (now, the 103rd Attack Squadron). Biddle Air National Guard Base is home to the following: Pennsylvania Air National Guard The Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PA ANG) is the aerial militia of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania . It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with
2209-411: Was renamed to Director of the Army National Guard and elevated back to major general in 1970. The position was later elevated to the rank of lieutenant general in 2001. The Army National Guard is also authorized a deputy director which was originally established as a brigadier general office in 1970. It was elevated to the rank of major general in 2006. The director of the Army National Guard oversees
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