Montgomery Air National Guard Base


 * See: Montgomery Regional Airport for civil airport information

Montgomery Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing.

Overview
Some of the world's best fighter pilots and support personnel call Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field) home. The Alabama Air National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing has F-16 Fighting Falcons based at the airport and has been recognized as a leader in mission preparedness. The airport supports the Alabama Army and Air National Guard, and often the Air Force will use Montgomery ANGB to take advantage of its long runway. It is not unusual to see Air Force C-17, C-5 and KC-135 aircraft at the airport.

In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD recommended to relocate the 117th Air Refueling Wing's firefighter positions from Birmingham Air National Guard Base to Montgomery ANGB.

In another recommendation, DoD recommended to realign Great Falls Air National Guard Base, Montana. It would distribute the 120th Fighter Wing's F-16s to the 187th Fighter Wing, Montgomery ANGB (three aircraft) and another installation. DoD recommended this realignment because Great Falls (117) ranked lower in military value than did Montgomery (60).

History
The roots of the 187th Fighter Wing date back to 1952 when the Alabama Air National Guard organized the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Birmingham, Alabama equipped with the RF-51 Mustang. The squadron moved to Dannelly Field on January 1, 1953, and entered the jet age with the arrival of the RF-80 Shooting Star in 1955. Within a year the 160th transitioned to the RF-84 Thunderflash aircraft, which served as the squadron's primary aircraft for the next 15 years.

The squadron was mobilized during the Berlin Crisis in 1961-1962 and deployed to Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France. In August 1962, the squadron returned to normal peacetime status and was reorganized. It was then officially designated the 187th Reconnaissance Group.

In 1971, the Thunderflash was replaced by the RF-4C Phantom II, which was flown for 17 years. From 1971-1982, the group remained in the reconnaissance role. The 187th won many honors during this timeframe, including the best reconnaissance unit in the nation in the Photo Finish "81" competition.

In 1982, the 187th changed missions from reconnaissance to the multi-purpose fighter role after acquiring the F-4D. The Group established itself as a premier tactical fighter unit by capturing overall top honors in the ANG Fangsmoke competition in 1987. In October 1988, the Group converted to the F-16 aircraft. In October 1995, the Group was designated a Wing under Air Force reorganization; becoming the 187th Fighter Wing.