109th AW

The 109th Airlift Wing (109th AW) is a unit of the New York Air National Guard, stationed at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York. Established in 1948 as the 109th Fighter Group, it transitioned to airlift missions in the 1960s and became renowned for operating the LC-130 Hercules, the only ski-equipped aircraft in the U.S. military. The 109th AW’s unique capabilities support missions in polar regions, particularly providing vital airlift for the National Science Foundation’s research operations in Antarctica and Greenland as part of Operation Deep Freeze. Over the decades, the unit has also contributed to humanitarian relief and domestic emergency responses, cementing its reputation for versatility and excellence.