Texas Air National Guard
The Texas Air National Guard (TX ANG) is the aerial militia of the State of Texas, United States of America. It is, along with the Texas Army National Guard, an element of the Texas National Guard. No element of the Texas Air National Guard is under United States Air Force command. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Texas through the office of the Texas Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States. The Texas Air National Guard is headquartered at Camp Mabry, Austin, and its chief of staff is Brigadier General Matthew Barker. Under the "Total Force" concept, Texas Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Texas ANG units are trained and equipped by the Air Force and are operationally gained by a Major Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Texas Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window. Along with their federal reserve obligations, as state militia units the elements of the Texas ANG are subject to being activated by order of the Governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. State missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense. Components The Texas Air National Guard consists of the following major units: 136th Airlift Wing Established 27 January 1947 (as 181st Fighter Squadron); operates: C-130H Hercules The 136 AW will upgrade to the C-130J in 2023. Stationed at: Carswell Field, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Gained by: Air Mobility Command The 136th AW mission is tactical airlift. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. 147th Attack Wing Established 29 June 1923 (as 111th Observation Squadron); operates: MQ-9 Reaper Stationed at: Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston Gained by: Air Combat Command The 147th Attack Wing provides flies combat support missions 24/7 via advanced satellite communications thus providing surveillance, reconnaissance, and air support for US and Allied forces. In conducting combat support sorties, the 147 ATKW provides theater and national-level leadership with critical real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and air-to-ground munitions and strike capability. A collocated Air Support Operations Squadron provides terminal control for weapons employment in a close air support scenario integrating combat air and ground operations. 149th Fighter Wing Established 27 January 1947 (as 182d Fighter Squadron); operates: F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Stationed at: Kelly Field Annex, Joint Base San Antonio Gained by: Air Education and Training Command The unit is an F-16 flying training unit that includes a support group with a worldwide mobility commitment. Support Unit Functions and Capabilities: Texas Air National