142nd Fighter Wing History
The Oregon Air National Guard and the 142nd Fighter Wing's rich history began just prior to World War II when the United States, monitoring the war raging in Europe and China, began focusing less on neutrality and more on preparedness. Answering the call to arms, Major G. Robert Dodson, an Oregonian serving with the 321st Observation Squadron Reserve at Pearson Field, Vancouver, Washington, requested the National Guard Bureau's authorization to form an Oregon flying unit. His short, official request- "We've got people, we've got a place, and we're ready!"- launched the 123rd Observation Squadron on April 18, 1941.
Five months later the squadron was federally activated under different unit designations flying the O-47, BC-1A and later the F-5 reconnaissance version of the P-38 in the China-Burma theatre and with others serving in Europe. At the war's end, the unit regrouped as the 123rd Fighter Squadron. By 1946, the ever-expanding unit was redesignated the 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group.
In 1951, the group mobilized in support of the Korean War. After supporting the Korean conflict it remained very active in air defense matters through the intervening Cold War years, eventually becoming a Fighter Wing in 1995. Since it's creation the wing has flown the O-47, BC-1A, F-5, F-51, B-25J, F-86, F-94, F-89, F-102, F-101, F-4C, T-33 and a host of support aircraft. Today the fighting "Redhawks" are proud to continue service as a component of the Total Force in defense of our nation flying the F-15A/B, providing both continuous air defense and air superiority capabilities. With more than 1,000 officers and airmen, the unit guards the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour alert as part of the North American Air Defense system.
As a vital asset to Air Combat Command and Air Expeditionary Force structures, the 142nd Fighter Wing participates around the globe supporting drug interdiction where needed, USAFE air defense, as well as contingency operations over Iraq for both Operations Northern Watch in Turkey and Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia.
