Toledo Express Airport, Swanton, Ohio
The 180th Fighter Wing is one of 88 Air National Guard (ANG) flying units in the United States, four of which are in Ohio. Equipped with the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon jet fighter, the unit's primary mission is to train and stand ready to employ conventional air-to-surface and air-to-air weapons from its aircraft to protect U.S. and allied security interests. The unit is also comprised of several support functions, including security forces, engineering, communications, aircraft maintenance, food services, transportation, human resources and medics.
Federal Mission
The 180th Fighter Wing's federal mission is to provide proficient combat units, combat support units and qualified personnel for active duty in the event of a national emergency or war. The unit must be able to deploy anywhere in the world within minimum response time.
State Mission
The 180th Fighter Wing serves under the command of Ohio's Governor unless mobilized. National Guard units are called upon to support civil authorities during natural disasters, civil disturbances and other emergency situations, to provide protection of life and property and preserve peace, order and public safety.
Community Mission
Our 180th guard members also play an active role in our communities, continually donating time and skills to programs and projects that add value to America. The 180th has hosted open houses, performed community clean-up and construction projects, tutored students, and regularly donated to the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, just to name a few.
180th Fast - Facts
· 1125 military members--your neighbors, teachers, skilled trades workers and coaches
· The Air National Guard provides 33 percent of the Air Force's total general purpose fighters
· We train for our military careers one weekend a month and an additional 15 days a year
· Unit became Ohio Air Guard's 112th Observation Squadron in 1927, based in Cleveland
· In 1955, the unit moved to Toledo and became a fighter interceptor squadron, later a tactical fighter squadron; consolidated into the newly formed 180th Tactical Fighter Group in 1962
· Lieutenant Colonel Addison Baker, a former 180th member, received the Congressional Medal of Honor as a B-24 Liberator pilot during the raids on the heavily defended oil fields at Ploesti, Romania during World War II
Where we've been
Unit members were activated for World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Berlin Crisis in 1961, and participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama. Members of the 180th served in Operations Desert Shield and Storm in 1991. The unit has deployed to Operations Provide Comfort II and Northern Watch five times, and once to Southern Watch patrolling the no-fly zones over Iraq.
Supporting the Air Force commitment in Aerospace Expeditionary Forces, unit members have served in Germany, Spain, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. Since 9/11/2001, these commitments have continued, and additional locations have included Kuwait, Bosnia, and Kyrgyzstan.