177th Fighter Wing

177th Fighter Wing
A formation of Four U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 177th Fighter Wing N.J. Air National Guard flies a training mission Aug. 18, 2009 near Atlantic City, N.J.
Active	15 October 1962-Present
Country	United States
Allegiance	New Jersey
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Wing
Role	Fighter
Part of	New Jersey Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, Egg Harbor, New Jersey
Nickname(s)	"Jersey Devils"
Tail Code	Red Tail Stripe "New Jersey" in white, "AC"
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel John DiDonna
Insignia
177th Fighter Wing emblem

The 177th Fighter Wing (177 FW) is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard, stationed at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New Jersey. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

The 119th Fighter Squadron assigned to the Wings 177th Operations Group, is a descendant organization of the World War I 5th Aviation School Squadron (later 119th Aero Squadron), established on 5 June 1917. It was reformed on 30 January 1930, as the 119th Observation Squadron, and is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.

Federal Mission: provide combat-ready citizen airmen, aircraft and equipment for worldwide deployment in support of United States Air Force objectives.

State Mission: support the citizens of New Jersey by protecting life and property, preserving the peace, order, and public safety when called upon by the Governor.

The 177th Fighter Wing comprises the following units:

On 15 October 1962, the New Jersey Air National Guard 119th Tactical Fighter Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 177th Tactical Fighter Group was established by the National Guard Bureau. The 119th TFS became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 117th Headquarters, 117th Material Squadron (Maintenance), 177th Combat Support Squadron, and the 177th USAF Dispensary.

In January 1968, a new crisis, the seizure of the American ship USS Pueblo by North Korean forces, and the 119th was called to active duty. In May 1968, the 119th TFS was assigned to the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard and stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina when the active-duty 354th TFW was deployed to South Korea. Group personnel were spread throughout the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, and South Vietnam. The 177th TFW was placed in non-operational status. The 177th TFG was reformed at Atlantic City airport in June 1969, and returned to New Jersey State control. The 119th TFS transitioned into the F-105 "Thunderchief" in 1970.