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122nd Fighter Wing | |
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![]() A F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing taxis at the Fort Wayne Indiana Air National Guard Base in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Oct. 20, 2023. The aircraft was the first to arrive at the base since conversion began in April. | |
Active | 1942–present |
Country | ![]() |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Wing |
Role | Close Air Support |
Part of | Indiana Air National Guard |
Garrison/HQ | Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station, Indiana |
Tail code | "IN" Indiana |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Col. Joshua C. Waggoner |
Insignia | |
122nd Fighter Wing emblem | ![]() |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | F-16 Fighting Falcon |
The122nd Fighter Wing (122 FW sometimes 122nd) is a unit of theIndiana Air National Guard, stationed atFort Wayne Air National Guard Station, Fort Wayne, Indiana. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by theUnited States Air ForceAir Combat Command.
The 358th Fighter Group trained in the Mid-Atlantic United States withP-40 Warhawks, 1943. While in training also used for air defense ofPhiladelphia area. Moved to England during September and October 1943, they were equipped withP-47 Thunderbolts and began operations on 20 December 1943 and served in combat with Eighth and later, Ninth Air Forces untilV-E Day.
In 2005 the wing introduced the reconnaissance Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System, becoming one of the first units to fly with it.
In 2008, after having flown for 17 years with the block 25 aircraft, these F-16s were nearing the end of their planned operational lifespans. The aircraft the 122nd received were only somewhat newer; Block 30 F-16C/Ds, manufactured between 1987 and 1989. These models were provided by theMichigan Air National Guard107th Fighter Squadron, which was then transitioning to theA-10 Thunderbolt II at the time. With the upgrade to the Block 30 aircraft, the tail code of the 163rd was changed from "FW" (Fort Wayne) to "IN" (Indiana) in 2009 when the181st Fighter Wing atHulman Field became a non-flying unit. However, only a few of the F-16s were re-coded.
In 2009 – the year the unit honored its predecessor unit – the 358th FG – with a heritage jet – it was decided that the squadron was to retire their 20-year-old F-16s and become an A-10 Thunderbolt II squadron. The conversion happened in 2010.
In 2023, the unit converted back to the F-16 platform as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act. These started arriving in October 2023 and will continue until all 21 have arrived.
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency