Sandra Ellis

The **188th Wing** of the Air National Guard (ANG), based at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, traces its origins to the establishment of the 188th Tactical Fighter Group in 1962. Originally flying the F-100 Super Sabre, the unit participated in various missions and training exercises during the Cold War, later transitioning to the A-10 Thunderbolt II in the early 2000s. Following realignment in 2014, the 188th Wing shifted from manned aircraft to missions including Remotely Piloted Aircraft (MQ-9 Reaper), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and targeting operations. The unit continues to provide vital support to national defense, leveraging cutting-edge technology and highly trained personnel in support of both state and federal missions.