Atlantic City Air National Guard Base


 * See: Atlantic City International Airport for civil airport information

Atlantic City Air National Guard Base has hosted the New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing (in various designations) since 1958.

Overview
The 177th Fighter Wing is located at the Atlantic City International Airport, Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The wing has been at this location since 1958. The 119th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C Fighting Falcon, a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.

History
In 1942, Naval Air Station Atlantic City was constructed on 2444 acre of leased private land in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The mission of NAS Atlantic City was to train various carrier air groups consisting of fighter, bomber and torpedo squadrons and their crews for combat. In August 1943, NAS Atlantic City changed its mission to strictly fighter training consisting of low and high altitude gunnery tactics, field carrier landing practice, carrier qualifications, bombing, formation tactics, fighter direction, night operations and an associated ground school curriculum.

NAS Atlantic City was decommissioned in June 1958 and transferred to the Airways Modernization Board (AMB). Concurrent with the Navy's departure, the then-177th Fighter Squadron of the New Jersey Air National Guard relocated to Atlantic City from their former base at Newark with their F-84F Thunderstreak aircraft. The wing has been at this location ever since The 119th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C Fighting Falcon, a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.

Since October 1998, the wing has had an active involvement in Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As an Air National Guard unit, the 177 FW has dual Federal and State missions. Its Federal mission is "To Provide Combat Ready Citizen-Airmen, Aircraft and Equipment for Worldwide Deployment in Support of USAF Objectives." Its State of New Jersey mission is to "Support the citizens of New Jersey by protecting life and property, preserving the peace, order, and public safety when called upon by the Governor."

During the 1960s the 95th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, stationed at Dover AFB, Delaware maintained F-106 Delta Darts on 24 Hour Alert.