146TH AIRLIFT WING

The 146th Airlift Wing (146 AW) is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station near Oxnard, California. Established in 1943 as the 373rd Fighter Group, the unit has undergone several redesignations and mission changes, notably transitioning to airlift operations in the post-World War II era. The 146th AW has participated in numerous humanitarian and combat missions, including aerial firefighting with its Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), disaster relief, and overseas deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Today, the wing operates the C-130J Hercules, providing tactical airlift capabilities to both state and federal missions.