156th Airlift Wing

The 156th Airlift Wing (156 AW) is a unit of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, stationed at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

Overview
The 156th Airlift Wing supports The United States' objectives by providing the Department of Defense with the highly skilled people and operationally ready equipment necessary to meet the Inter-theater airlift and expeditionary combat support commitments.

The wing provides global airlift and agile force to execute and accomplish tasked mission. Support Southern Command in theater airlift and joint military exercises while displaying military capabilities and bolster United States ties with its Latin American neighbors.

Units
The 156th Airlift Wing consists of the following major units:
 * 156th Operations Group
 * 198th Airlift Squadron


 * 156th Maintenance Group
 * 156th Mission Support Group
 * 156th Medical Group


 * 285th Combat Communications Squadron

Tactical Fighter mission
On 15 October 1962, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard was expanded to a Group status, and the 156th Tactical Fighter Group was recognized and activated by the National Guard Bureau. The 156th was transferred to Tactical Air Command, with the 198th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron being reassigned from Air Defense Command, becoming at Tactical Fighter Squadron assigned to the 156th TFG. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 156th Headquarters, 156th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 156th Combat Support Squadron, and the 156th USAF Dispensary. With the transfer to TAC, the 198th TFS received F-86H Sabre tactical fighters.

In 1967, F-104C Starfighers (and an F-104D two-seat trainer) were assigned to the 156th, upgrading the group to Mach-2 supersonic tactical fighter-bombers, replacing the elderly F-86H Sabre fighter-bombers. The F-104C was equipped to carry bombs or rocket pods on under-wing and fuselage points. The upward-firing Lockheed C-2 rocket-boosted ejector seat was standard. The internal 20-mm rotary cannon of the F-104A was retained, as well as the ability to carry an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile on each wingtip to fill an air defense interceptor mission.

In 1975, the F-104s were retired, the 198th being the last USAF unit to fly the Starfighters. They were replaced by A-7D Corsair II ground support aircraft. Although designed primarily as a ground attack aircraft, it also had limited air-to-air combat capability. On 12 January 1981 a group of terrorists destroyed and damaged ten A-7D and a Starfighter F-104 static display. The terrorist attack was the largest on American Air Force Base since the Vietnam War. The hostage situation in Iran at the time overshadowed this incident in the news media. The eleven National Guard planes at Muñiz Air Base were alleged by socialist organizations to be destined for use against popular insurgents in El Salvador. These allegations were never proven and may have been self-serving.

At the time, the base had 25 pilots and 900 military personnel. This loss was calculated at $45 million. The security increased from 11 to 22 personnel with 100 percent federal funding. The Air Force/Air National Guard invested $5.5 million in Electronic Security Equipment (ESE), a Master Surveillance Control Facility (MSCF), and fencing to secure the flight line and operations area. In addition, Muñiz Air National Guard Base was provided a security police manpower package of 18 AGR security police personnel and 46 civilian contract guards.

On 1 August 1987, the 156th Tactical Fighter Group reorganized into a Four-Deputy structure according to the new Air National Guard policy.

In 1992 the A-7Ds were being retired, and they were replaced by Block 15 F-16A/B Fighting Falcons modified for Air Defense. The F-16 ADF was a standard block 15 model converted to air defense fighters for the Air National Guard, and would take over the fighter interception mission, providing the primary defense of North America against bombers and cruise missiles. The unit took part, from 24–28 June 1991, in Granada South exercise, Panama. From 11–18 August 1991, it deployed to Iquique, Chile for Condor II Exercise and then from 18–24 August 1991, to Asuncion with the Paraguayan Air Force for training. From 7–20 September 1991, it deployed to Fortunata II, Volk Field, Wisconsin and then again from 2–6 December 1991, to Granada South, Panama.

In March 1992, with the end of the Cold War, the 156th adopted the Air Force Objective Organization plan, and the unit was re-designated as the 157th Fighter Group. A few months later, on 1 June, Tactical Air Command was inactivated as part of the Air Force reorganization after the end of the Cold War. It was replaced by Air Combat Command (ACC).

From 20 February to 6 March 1993, the unit took part in the "Caminos de Paz" exercise at Golfito, and then deployed from 12–21 August 1993, to Asunción, Paraguay, marking its First F-16 Deployment. From 5–13 November 1994, the unit took part in the Condor III Exercise held in Iquique, Chile.

In October 1995, in accordance with the Air Force "One Base - One Wing" policy, the status of the 157th was upgraded to a Wing; the 198th Fighter Squadron being assigned to the new 157th Operations Group.

Airlift Mission
On 22 November 1997, unit received its first C-130s while celebrating its 50th federal recognition Anniversary. On 10 February 1998, the Air Force announced conversion of the 156th Fighter Wing from its F-16 fighter aircraft to C-130E Hercules Airlifters. On 3 March 1998 the last F-16 departed from the 156th Fighter Wing. On 11 September 1998 a ceremony was held to mark the arrival of the first C-130. On 1 October 1998, the Department of the Air Force issued the official order designating the 156th Fighter Wing as 156th Airlift Wing. The 156th was transferred to Air Mobility Command, being re-designated as the 156th Airlift Wing.

Beginning in June 1999, the major mission for the Wing became support of Operation Coronet Oak, which was transferred from Howard AFB, Panama when the base was closed as part of the turnover of the Panama Canal. The main Coronet Oak mission is to deliver special forces to any location in theater as directed by Southern Command. Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard C-130 aircraft, aircrews and supporting personnel deploy from the United States to Muniz AGB to provide theater airlift support for the U.S. Southern Command. One C-130 of the unit is on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, in order to deliver special forces as required.

Coronet Oak shares the Muñiz flight line with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, which also flies C-130s. That makes for a good partnership, when C-130s need repairs or spare parts. The mission also includes any other kind of contingency and logistics support. Aircrews provide theater mobility, embassy support and airdrops. They also fly people, food and mail.

Lineage

 * Established as 156th Tactical Fighter Group and allotted to Puerto Rico ANG in 1958
 * Received federal recognition and activated on 10 April 1958
 * Re-designated: 156th Fighter Group, 15 March 1992
 * Status changed from Group to Wing, 1 October 1995
 * Re-designated: 156th Fighter Wing, 1 October 1995
 * Re-designated: 156th Airlift Wing, 1 October 1998

Assignments

 * Puerto Rico Air National Guard, 10 April 1958
 * Gained by: Tactical Air Command
 * Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992
 * Gained by: Air Mobility Command, 1 October 1998-Present

Components

 * 156th Operations Group, 1 October 1995 – Present
 * 198th Tactical Fighter (later Fighter, Airlift) Squadron, 10 April 1958 – Present


 * 140th Air Defense Squadron (1976–1998)
 * 141st Air Ground Defense Squadron (1982–1998)

Stations

 * Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Carolina, Puerto Rico, 10 April 1958
 * Designated: Muñiz Air National Guard Base, 23 November 1963-Present

Aircraft

 * F-86H Sabre, 1958-1967
 * F-104C/D Starfighter, 1967-1975
 * A-7D Corsair II, 1975-1992


 * Block 15 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, 1992-1998
 * C-26A Metroliner, 1992-1998
 * C-130E Hercules, 1998–Present

Decorations

 * [[File:Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg]] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award