183rd Fighter Wing

The 183rd Fighter Wing is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, stationed at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield, Illinois. Established in 1962, the wing has flown various fighter aircraft, including the F-84F Thunderstreak, F-4 Phantom II, and F-16 Fighting Falcon, supporting both state and federal missions. The 183rd has participated in numerous operations, such as Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch, providing air defense and combat capabilities. In recent years, the wing’s mission has transitioned to focus on air operations support and cyber operations following the retirement of its fighter jets in 2008.