| U.S. Virgin Islands Air National Guard | |
|---|---|
 Entrance sign to the main base of the 285th Combat Communication Squadron | |
| Active | 7 May 1980–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Role | USSOUTHCOMcombat support |
| Garrison/HQ | St Croix ANGS,United States Virgin Islands |
| Commanders | |
| Civilian leadership | PresidentDonald Trump (Commander-in-Chief) Secretary of the Air ForceFrank Kendall III GovernorAlbert Bryan |
| State military leadership | The Adjutant General-NomineeKodjo S. Knox-Limbacker |
| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the Joint Forces Virgin Islands National Guard |  |
TheVirgin Islands Air National Guard (VI ANG) is the aerial militia of theUnited States Virgin Islands, anunincorporated territory of theUnited States of America. It is, along with theVirgin Islands Army National Guard, an element of theVirgin Islands National Guard.
As territorial militia units, the units in the Virgin Islands Air National Guard are not in the normalUnited States Air Forcechain of command. They are under the jurisdiction of thegovernor of the United States Virgin Islands through the office of theVirgin Islands adjutant general unless they are federalized by order of thepresident of the United States. The Virgin Islands Air National Guard is headquartered at St Croix Air National Guard Station,Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, and its commander is Deborah Y. Howell.
Under the "Total Force" concept, Virgin Islands Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of theUnited States Air Force (USAF). Virgin Islands ANG units are trained and equipped by the Air Force and are operationally gained by aMajor Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Virgin Islands Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty andAir Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window.
Along with their federal reserve obligations, as territorial militia units the elements of the Virgin Islands ANG are subject to being activated by order of the governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. Territorial missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense.
The Virgin Islands Air National Guard was founded on theisland of St. Croix in February 1980, as the 285th Combat Communications Flight, a subordinate unit of the226th Combat Communications Group. The original authorized strength was one officer and 21 enlisted members. Original federal recognition came in May 1980 and is the official beginning of the Virgin Islands Air National Guard. The 285th grew quickly both in size and capability. Within 10 years of inception the unit had won theAir ForceOutstanding Unit Award twice and was later awarded the award a third time. St Croix Air National Guard Station was opened in 1986 as the first National Guard–owned facility in the Virgin Islands.
WhenHurricane Hugo devastated St. Croix in 1989, the 285th's facility became the heart of the recovery effort, and the 285th provided the first official communications off the island to the rest of the U.S.
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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