142nd wg

• Origins in World War II: The 142nd Wing (WG) traces its roots back to the 371st Fighter Group, activated in 1943, which flew P-47 Thunderbolts in the European Theater. • Postwar Re-designation: After WWII, the group was re-designated as the 142nd Fighter Group and allotted to the Oregon Air National Guard in 1946. • Home Base: The unit is based at Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon, serving as a key air defense component for the Pacific Northwest. • Cold War Mission: During the Cold War, the 142nd provided 24/7 air defense alert for the region, intercepting Soviet long-range bombers and unidentified aircraft. • Aircraft Evolution: The 142nd has flown a series of fighter aircraft, including the P-47 Thunderbolt, F-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-101 Voodoo, F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, and is transitioning to the F-15EX Eagle II. • First Air-to-Air Kill: In 1956, the 142nd achieved a rare peacetime air-to-air kill when a pilot shot down a rogue drone that had gone off course. • 9/11 Response: On September 11, 2001, the 142nd rapidly launched alert F-15s to protect the West Coast, maintaining increased homeland defense alert postures for months. • Humanitarian Missions: The unit has supported disaster relief, including wildfire response in Oregon and hurricane recovery efforts in other states. • International Deployments: The 142nd has deployed personnel and aircraft in support of Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. • Women in Aviation: The 142nd WG was among the first Oregon Air National Guard units to integrate women into flying and support roles, reflecting broader changes in military policy.