History

What is now the 169th Airlift Squadron originated during World War II as the 304th Fighter Squadron, which was activated on July 23, 1942. The 304th was assigned to the 337th Fighter Group at the Pinellas County Airport, Florida, and served as an operational training unit equipped with the P-39 Airacobra and the P-40 Warhawk. The 304th was disbanded May 1, 1944, and reconstituted May 24, 1946, redesignated the 169th Fighter Squadron and allocated to the Illinois National Guard. 

Click here for the complete history of the 182nd Airlift Wing.

Historic Aircraft

F-51D/H Mustang (1947-1956)
AT-11 Kansan (1947-1947)
T-6G Texan (1947-1956)
A/B-26C Invader (1947-1952)
F-80C Shooting Star (1958-1958)
T-28A Trojan (1956-1958)
VC/C-47 Gooney Bird (1949-1972)
T-33A Thunderbird (1955-1969)
F-84F Thunderstreak (1958-1969)
T-29A/C Flying Classroom (1972-1975)
U-3A/B Blue Canoe (1969-1970)
O-2A/B Skymaster (1970-1979)
C-131E USA Samaritan (1975-1989)
OA-37B Dragonfly (1979-1992)
C-26A Merlin (1989-1995)
F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1992-1995)
C-130E Hercules (1995-2004)
C-130H Hercules (2004-current)

Historic Commanders

Lt Col Ralph M. Pickering (1946-1947)
Maj Arthur F. Szold (1947-1951)
Maj Harold C. Norman (1951-1956)
Maj Harold E. Haskett (1956-1959)
Maj Arthur J. Schertz (1959-1962)
Col Harold C. Norman (1962-1975)
Col George H. Mason (1975-1975)
Col Harold C. Norman (1975-1976)
Col George H. Mason (1976-1977)
Col Roland E. Ballow (1977-1983)
Col Kenneth D. Peterson (1983-1989)
Col Frank D. Rezac (1989-1994)
Col Alan L. Paige (1994-1998)
Col Barry W. Beard (1998-2004)
Col William P. Robertson (2004-2017)
Col Daniel R. McDonough (2017-2022)
Col Rusty L. Ballard (2022-Present)

Resources



ANG: A Short Story

The Air National Guard as we know it today -- a separate reserve component of the United States Air Force -- was a product of the politics of postwar planning and interservice rivalry during World War II. The men who planned and maneuvered for an independent postwar Air Force during World War II didn't place much faith in the reserves, especially the state-dominated National Guard. 

Read More....

Homeland Security