Colorado Air National Guard takes flight

Courtesy Photo | On June 30, 1946, while Congress was deciding whether aviation units belonged under their own independent command or under the Army's command, Colorado's 120th Fighter Squadron became the first Air National Guard aviation unit to receive formal federal recognition.  

12.29.2009

Courtesy Story

Colorado National Guard

Each month the Colorado National Guard publishes a historical article about the organization. This month learn about the history of Colorado's Air National Guard.

After World War II, the U.S. military underwent the largest restructure since the Civil War, then 80 years prior. On June 30, 1946, while Congress was deciding whether aviation units belonged under their own independent command or under the Army's command, Colorado's 120th Fighter Squadron became the first Air National Guard aviation unit to receive formal federal recognition. Federal recognition is important because it allows units to receive credit for the campaigns in which they served. It also allows a state to retain a unit.

Just over a year later, on July 26, 1947, the National Security Act was signed, which gave birth to the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. Immediately, the brand new branch faced several challenges.

Initially, the Colorado Air National Guard had very little equipment and no base. In fact, the Airmen's first few drills were held at the state headquarters at 300 Logan Street in Denver.

The former home of the 120th at Denver Municipal Airport had been appropriated by the City of Denver, and negotiations had started to acquire space elsewhere. Brig. Gen. Stanford Gregory organized and commanded the 59th Fighter Wing on Buckley Field in Aurora, Colo. This unit later became the 140th Tactical Fighter Wing under which the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was eventually housed.

Money for pay was initially scarce as well, and recruitment was extremely difficult. Nearly 200 men made up the early COANG units, and they were required to attend a weekly two-hour training drill 48 weeks out of the year. Starting pay was $2.50 a drill.

The COANG was forced to initiate an active public relations program. It did this by sponsoring open houses, performing flyovers and other aerial demonstrations, and offered cross-country orientation flights in military aircraft to places like Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon. The strength of the COANG grew to more than 1,000 Airmen within two years. In 1948, 140th Wing Commander Col. Joe Moffitt appointed Maj. Walt "Red Eye" Williams to command the 120th Tactical Fighter Wing, and the COANG was off and running.

More aerial demonstrations were put on by the COANG in 1948, entertaining the likes of not only the Governor of Colorado, W. Lee Knous, but also retired Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became president. Not only were these aerial demonstrations successful in recruiting new Colorado Airmen and technicians, but they spawned an idea that would later become a worldwide phenomenon.

Look for the history of the Minute Men aerial demonstration team in the next issue of the High Ground.

• Date Taken: 12.29.2009
• Date Posted: 12.29.2009 13:53
• Story ID: 43257