159th Fighter Wing

159th Fighter Wing
159th Fighter Wing emblem
Active	19xx-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force/Air National Guard
Type	Wing
Role	Fighter Interception
Part of	Air National Guard/Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	NAS/JRB New Orleans, Louisiana
Nickname(s)	Bayou Militia

The United States Air Force's 159th Fighter Wing is a fighter unit located at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana.

History

The unit is nicknamed the "Bayou Militia". It was previously nicknamed the "Cajun Militia", and before that the "Coonass Militia". The title "Coonass Militia" was changed to "Cajun Militia" in 1992 because of concerns about its "political incorrectness". In the late 1990s the Cajun Militia title was changed to the current "Bayou Militia". The unit contains one of the Air National Guard's premiere F-15 fighter wings. The Louisiana Air National Guard is a trained force of more than 1500 men and women.

The Louisiana Air Guard is unique compared to other reserve force components in that it is tasked with dual missions. The LA ANG's state and federal missions are to provide trained, well-equipped personnel who can augment the active forces during both national emergencies and/or war, and to provide assistance during national disasters and civil disturbances.

The LA ANG provides its troops an opportunity to enjoy civilian life while contributing to the welfare of the country, state and community.

The 159th Fighter Wing flies F-15 aircraft with a primary mission of air sovereignty.

On June 25, 1999, members of the 159th Fighter Wing, New Orleans ANG, while on deployment to Reykjavik, Iceland, flying F-15A aircraft, intercepted two Russian TU-95 "Bear-H" aircraft.

The LA ANG use Warning Area airspace over the Gulf of Mexico for most of their training. Supersonic flight, necessary for realistic training, is conducted away from the shoreline in a manner that does not disturb the public. Generally speaking, they have good airspace within which to train. Some forms of chaff, however, do interfere electronically with the Houston FAA ARTCC. However, the 159FW has a good working relationship with Houston ARTCC. A modification of Warning Area W-59 to a north/south orientation would impact the 159FW ability to train effectively and efficiently. Training would be hampered by long distances to and from the southern end of the Warning Area. Safety would be compromised since air/sea rescue could not respond in a timely manner at the greater distances.^{[citation needed]}

In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, the Department of Defense recommended to realign the 142d Fighter Wing (ANG) at Portland IAP AGS, Oregon, by distributing the wing's F-15 aircraft to the 159th Fighter Wing (ANG), New Orleans ARS, Louisiana (nine aircraft) and another installation. New Orleans had above average military value for reserve component bases, and realigning aircraft from Portland would create another optimum-sized fighter squadron at New Orleans. By relocating the geographically separated Air National Guard squadron onto New Orleans, the Air Force would best utilize available facilities on the installation while reducing the cost to the government to lease facilities in the community

159th Fighter Wing/Louisiana Air National Guard was awarded the coveted "Outstanding Air National Guard Unit" in 2003. This prestigious award is given annually to the Air National Guard unit which meets or exceeds the criteria from the National Guard Bureau. The 159th Fighter Wing has shown extreme professionalism and dedication to the mission of protecting the United States and its allies.

This Fighter Wing also includes the 159th CAM Squadron (Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance).

Louisiana ANG F-15A during operation Southern Watch in 2000

Assignments

Major Command

• Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-Present)
• Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (???-1992)

Previous designations

• 159th Fighter Wing (1995-Present)
• 159th Fighter Group (1992-1995)

Units assigned

• 159th Operations Group
  • 122nd Fighter Squadron (1946-2008)
  • 159th Operations Support Flight
• 159th Maintenance Group (???-2008?)
  • 159th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
  • 159th Maintenance Squadron
  • 159th Maintenance Operations Flight
• 159th Mission Support Group
  • 159th Civil Engineering Squadron
  • 159th Communications Squadron
  • 159th Logistics Readiness Squadron
  • 159th Security Forces Squadron
  • 159th Mission Support Flight
  • 159th Services Flight
• 159th Medical Group
  • 159th Medical Squadron

Bases stationed

• Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, (???-Present)

Aircraft & Missiles Operated

• F-15A Eagle (???-Present)
• F-4 Phantom II (???-Present)

Decorations

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

External links

• Time Magazine Article on the 159th Fighter Group