FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, CALIFORNIA
 
Introduction
In 2004, the 144th Fighter Wing celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in Fresno. Throughout those five decades, 144th Fighter Wing has been an integral component of our national defense. But that is not all. The story of the 144th Fighter Wing is the story of its citizen-soldiers. Thomas Jefferson, in an 1813 letter to James Monroe, wrote that in order to maintain a free state, every citizen must be a soldier. In the best tradition of our country’s long militia heritage, the 144th Fighter Wing’s all-volunteer members, past and present, have honorably and skillfully served the needs of their community, state, and nation.
 
Command
On 18 October 2004, Colonel Jonathan S. Flaugher accepted command of the 144th Fighter Wing. Col Flaugher, the wing’s fifteenth commander, has served with the 144th Fighter Wing since 1993, most recently as the commander of the 144th Operations Group. A command pilot with over 4,000 hours, Col Flaugher has flown the T-37, T-38, T-33, F-106, and the F-16.
 
Origins
The 144th Fighter Wing traces its origins to April 1948, barely six months after the formation of the Air National Guard in 1947. Its progenitor, the 61st Fighter Wing, received federal recognition at Alameda, California, followed soon after by activation of the 194th Fighter Squadron in June 1948. The 61st Fighter Wing was re-designated as the 144th Fighter Bomber Wing on 1 November 1950, and through the years the designations have changed to reflect the unit’s mission. In March 1992, the wing was re-designated as the 144th Fighter Wing.
 
Although the wing was formed less than three years after the end of WW II, 80 percent of the enlisted recruits had no previous military experience. Nonetheless, by the Summer Encampment of 1949, the wing went into the field on a self-sufficient basis, a testament to the hard work and on-the-job training of the enlisted members. Brigadier General Lawrence C. Ames led the Wing to its earliest successes.

In 1948, the wing possessed a motley assortment of aircraft: two T-6s, one B-26, one C-47, one L-17, and two borrowed F-51s—more commonly known by their WW II designation as the P-51. The F-51 was the primary wing aircraft from 1948 until 1954. During its early years with piston-engined aircraft, the wing earned prominence as one of the Air Force’s best aerial gunnery competitors. In June 1953, the 144th qualified for the first all-jet, worldwide gunnery meet. Using borrowed F-86A Sabre Jets, the 144th, representing the entire Air National Guard, placed fifth in the competition.

In November 1954, the 194th Fighter Squadron accomplished the transition from the propeller-driven F-51 to its first jet aircraft, the F-86A. It was the transition to the F-86 that prompted the wing’s move to Fresno—jet aircraft needed longer runways and open spaces. The site of the Fresno Air National Guard Base was ideal for the relocation, having been used for military aviation since World War II, when it was known as Hammer Field. Wing Headquarters followed the 194th, completing its move in 1957. Brigadier General Rollin B. Moore, Jr. led the wing through its transition to jets and its move to Fresno.

In April 1958, the wing again made a transition to a new aircraft, the F-86L, which was the primary aircraft until June 1964. The transition to a new aircraft was not the only change affecting the wing. In 1959, Second Lieutenant Marilyn Peterson, the wing’s first female member, began her duties as a nurse with the 144th Dispensary. Also during this period, Master Sergeant Joseph L. Tongish became the first enlisted wing member to complete 20 years of service, having begun his career in July 1940 with the 7th Cavalry Regiment, when horses still carried soldiers into battle.

The F-102 was the next advance in the wing’s aircraft technology. In July 1964, the “Delta Dagger” became the primary aircraft. Pilots of the 144th Fighter Wing flew this aircraft for the next decade. While flying the “Delta Dagger” under the leadership of Brigadier General Marvel M. Taylor and Colonel Milton R. Graham, the 144th won its first and second Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. Chief Master Sergeant Jim C. Disanto became the wing’s first Senior Enlisted Advisor in 1971, serving in that post until 1987. And the “Dagger” era brought another first when in 1971 Sergeant Maureen O’Connell became the wing’s first female enlistee.

In July 1974, the 144th brought the F-106 “Delta Dart” into service, and the wing’s pilots flew this aircraft for over nine years. Led by Brigadier General James L. Kilpatrick, the wing won another Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.

 
 

On 1 January 1984, the F-4D became the wing’s new aircraft, and was flown until 30 September 1989.  144 FW, led by Brigadier Generals William D. Neville and Paul L. Carroll, Jr. won two more Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
 

On 1 October 1989 the wing began a new era by completing the transition to the air defense version of the F-16A Fighting Falcon, the Air Force’s most advanced tactical fighter. 144 FW continued to fly this aircraft until September 1995, when the transition to the newer F-16C became complete. New engines and upgraded avionics make the F-16C among the most potent air defense weapons in the world. In addition to its F-16Cs, the wing also possesses one C-26A transport. Since transitioning to the F-16, the 144th Fighter Wing has won two more Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. During this period, Colonel Douglas R. Moore and Colonel William P. Skains commanded the wing.
 
Now commanded by Colonel Jonathan Flaugher, the mission of the 144th Fighter Wing has evolved over the years due to changes in world threats. The wing has participated in numerous worldwide deployments as part of the nation’s “total force” concept, including combat tours in South West Asia where wing members defended the Southern No-Fly Zone. Within days of returning from that deployment, the wing demonstrated its leading-edge attitude as it stood up to defend our country following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.
 
The 144th Fighter Wing takes great pride in its capabilities, demonstrated by being the first fully mission capable unit flying over our homeland on 11 September. Since that time, the 144th Fighter Wing has supported duel roles. The wing’s primary role of homeland defense is under the command of Headquarters, First Air Force. For this mission, the wing maintains 24-hour alert operating from the Fresno Air National Guard Base, and at times, from remote locations. The wing has been charged with protecting California and the Southwestern United States. To date, the unit has flown over 4,000 hours of combat air patrols in support of Operation Noble Eagle and has responded to numerous high stress situations.
 
Another part of the wing’s mission is ongoing training for future combat tours and participating in Operations such as Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, ensuring that the wing will always be able to provide mission-ready forces to the federal government. Finally, as a unit of the California Air National Guard, the 144th Fighter Wing provides military support to civilian authorities to protect public safety during emergencies and provides service and support to the local community. The men and women of the 144th Fighter Wing are extremely proud of their rich heritage as citizen soldiers—whether they are full time members of the wing or traditional guardsmen drawn from local teachers, police officers, nurses, business employees, they are all dedicated to the core values of Integrity, Duty, and Loyalty. They are neighbors who are part of the community honorably protecting our great state and nation with dedication and skill.
 
144th Fighter Wing
Historian’s Office