The 143rd Airlift Squadron (143 AS) is a unit of the
143rd Airlift Wing
The 143d Airlift Wing (143 AW) is a unit of the Rhode Island Air National Guard, stationed at Quonset Point Air National Guard Station, Rhode Island. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility ...
,
Rhode Island Air National Guard
The Rhode Island Air National Guard (RI ANG) is the aerial militia of the Rhode Island, State of Rhode Island, United States, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Rhode Island Army National Gu ...
(RI ANG) located at
Quonset Point Air National Guard Station
Quonset Point Air National Guard Station is the home base of the Rhode Island Air National Guard 143rd Airlift Wing. Naval Air Station (NAS) Quonset Point was a United States Naval Base in Quonset Point, Rhode Island that was deactivated in 1 ...
, Rhode Island. The 143rd is equipped with the
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems.
The C-130J is the ...
.
The squadron descends from the 152nd Observation Squadron, established on 21 August 1939. It is one of the
29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the
United States Army National Guard
The Army National Guard (ARNG) is an organized Militia (United States), militia force and a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States Army. It is simultaneously part of two differen ...
formed before
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.
History
The origins of the 143rd Airlift Squadron begin in 1915 when concerned Rhode Island residents banded together in the true spirit of the citizen-soldier to purchase two Curtis Model "F" Flying Boats, one of which was assigned to the Rhode Island National Guard. The border conflict in Mexico and America's entry into the First World War prevented much use, and in 1919 the National Guard aircraft, now obsolete, was sold as surplus.
World War II
In 1939 President Roosevelt increased measures to prepare the Armed Forces for the inevitable American involvement in World War II. The State of Rhode Island was allocated one of only two new observation squadrons authorized by Congress that year. On 21 August 1939 the 152nd Observation Squadron was organized. Less than one year later, on 25 November 1940 it was federalized for extended active duty. The training paid off. After American entry into World War II, the 152nd Observation Squadron immediately took up its primary mission of anti-submarine patrols along the Northeastern shipping lanes. In September 1944 the unit, now designated the 37th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, transferred overseas. Assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force, squadron pilots flew Photo Reconnaissance missions in northern Italy, southern Germany and the Balkans until June 1945, following the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945.
Rhode Island Air National Guard
The wartime 37th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron was reactivated and re-designated as the 152nd Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to the Rhode Island Air National Guard (RI ANG), on 24 May 1946. It was organized at T. F. Green Municipal Airport, Warwick, Rhode Island and was extended federal recognition on 152nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron as the 152nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron by the National Guard Bureau. The 152nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron was entitled to the history, honors, and colors of the 37th. The squadron was equipped with
F-47 Thunderbolt
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. It was a successful high-altitude fighter, and it also served as the foremost American fighter-bombe ...
s and was assigned to the
Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command (ConAC) (1948–1968) was a Major Command of the United States Air Force (USAF) responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
During the Korean War, ConAC provided the necessary aug ...
First Air Force
The First Air Force (Air Forces Northern & Air Forces Space; 1 AF-AFNORTH & AFSPACE) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Its primary mission i ...
.
Air defense

In 1952 the 152nd was transferred to
Air Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command was a major command (military formation), command of the United States Air Force, responsible for air defense of the continental United States. It was activated in 1968 and disbanded in 1980. Its predecessor, Air De ...
, given a mission of air defense for
Rhode Island
Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...
, eastern
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...
and over the Atlantic approaches of
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
. In order to accomplish this, the unit was equipped with long-range
F-51D Mustang
Over twenty variants of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter were produced from 1940, when it first flew, to after World War II, some of which were employed also in the Korean War and in several other conflicts.
Allison-engined Mustangs
NA- ...
s. In 1956 the Air Force, in an effort to upgrade to an all-jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Aerospace Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. The Rhode Island Airport Commission and National Guard authorities found themselves in a conflict over the use of T.F. Green Municipal Airport for tactical jet operations. Unable to resolve these differences the Air Force inactivated the squadron and the National Guard Bureau transferred the 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron to the
Arizona Air National Guard
The Arizona Air National Guard (AZ ANG) is the aerial militia of the Arizona, state of Arizona, United States, United States of America. It is, along with the Arizona Army National Guard, an element of the Arizona National Guard.
As state militia ...
.
However, the National Guard Bureau's desire to have an Air National Guard flying unit located in every state brought a new mission and the numeric designation to the Rhode Island Air National Guard, the 143rd Air Resupply Squadron using propeller-driven aircraft. The 143rd Air Resupply Squadron was bestowed the lineage and history of the inactivated Rhode Island ANG 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The
152nd FIS, now part of the Arizona Air National Guard, was granted federal recognition as a new organization, with no history or lineage connection to the squadron's previous serving with the RI ANG.
Special operations
The 143rd Air Resupply Squadron was assigned to the
Military Air Transport Service
The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) is an inactive United States Department of Defense, Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy's Naval Air Transport Service (NA ...
. It was designated at the time as a "Psychological Warfare" (PSYWAR) unit which supported USAF unconventional warfare (guerrilla warfare), direct action (commando-type raids), strategic reconnaissance (intelligence gathering), and PSYWAR operations. The unit was assigned the
Grumman SA-16 Albatross
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large, twin-radial engined amphibious flying boat that was used by the United States Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Royal Canadian Air Force primarily as a search and ...
seaplane and for a short time retained the
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. During the war the C-47 was used for tro ...
. There were several minor mission designation changes, and the C-47 was eventually replaced by the
Curtiss C-46 Commando
The Curtiss C-46 Commando is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft derived from the Curtiss CW-20 pressurized high-altitude airliner design. Early press reports used the name "Condor III" but the Commando name was in use by early 1942 in company p ...
.
In 1963 the first major mission change for the 143rd occurred. Situations around the world produced a need for specialized units which could insert a small group of trained combat troops on land or sea anywhere at a moments notice. The 143rd was tasked as one of the representatives of the National Guard in the Air Force's Air Commando Group structure. The C-46 was replaced with Helio U-10A and
U-10D Courier
The Helio Courier is a cantilever high-wing light STOL utility aircraft designed in 1949.
Around 500 of these aircraft were manufactured in Pittsburg, Kansas, from 1954 until 1974 by the Helio Aircraft Company. The design featured four leading- ...
s. During a three-year period starting in 1965, the U-10s belonging to the 143rd and other Air National Guard units were transferred back to the Air Force for use in South Vietnam, during which the "Helio" was replaced by DeHavilland U-6 "Beavers".
In 1968 the U-10s returned from their tour of duty in
South Vietnam
South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam (RVN; , VNCH), was a country in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975. It first garnered Diplomatic recognition, international recognition in 1949 as the State of Vietnam within the ...
, and on 1 July, the Rhode Island Air National Guard 143rd Special Operations Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level. The 143rd Special Operations Group was established by the National Guard Bureau, with the 143rd SOS becoming the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 143rd Headquarters, 143rd Material Squadron (Maintenance), 143rd Combat Support Squadron, and the 143rd USAF Dispensary.
The Grumman SA-16 "Albatross" flown by 143rd pilots since 1955 was replaced in 1968 with an updated version of the "Albatross", the HU-16. With twice the cargo capability and range, the HU-16 opened up new avenues of opportunity as was demonstrated in 1970. Flight and Ground crews of the 143rd assisted scientists and engineers of the
Naval Underwater Systems Center
The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) is the United States Navy's full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support center for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapons ...
, conducting studies of undersea acoustics, at
Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika ( ; ) is an African Great Lakes, African Great Lake. It is the world's List of lakes by volume, second-largest freshwater lake by volume and the List of lakes by depth, second deepest, in both cases after Lake Baikal in Siberia. ...
in Africa during April and again in August at
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay, sometimes called Hudson's Bay (usually historically), is a large body of Saline water, saltwater in northeastern Canada with a surface area of . It is located north of Ontario, west of Quebec, northeast of Manitoba, and southeast o ...
, Canada.
The unit would work in the Special Operations field for seven more years, during which the HU-16 aircraft were eventually retired in 1972 and replaced with Fairchild C-119G/L "Flying Boxcars".
Tactical airlift
In 1975 as part of a general program to upgrade Air National Guard units the 143rd was redesignated as a Tactical Airlift Group and assigned Lockheed
C-130A Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designe ...
aircraft. In 1980 the 143rd Tactical Airlift Group moved from T.F. Green airport to its new home at
Quonset Air National Guard Base
Quonset State Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located on Quonset Point, in northeastern North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States, adjacent to Narragansett Bay. It is a general aviation airport and there is no scheduled airl ...
.
As global airlifters, Rhode Island "Herks" were found in all parts of the United States, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. The 143rd played a vital role in deployments such as Volant Oak, Volant Pine, Red Flag, Dragon Hammer, Volant Rodeo competitions and humanitarian efforts such as "Operation Toy Lift" which provided toys to the children of Granada in 1986. In 1989, the 143rd was selected for conversion to the C-130E Model.
In 1990 unit volunteers provided support during
Operation Desert Shield
, combatant2 =
, commander1 =
, commander2 =
, strength1 = Over 950,000 soldiers3,113 tanks1,800 aircraft2,200 artillery systems
, page = https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-PEMD-96- ...
. In September, unit members flew out of
Rhein-Main Air Base
Rhein-Main Air Base was a United States Air Force air base near the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It was a Military Airlift Command (MAC) and United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) installation, occupying the south side of Frankfurt ...
, Germany to support operational missions from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The second group of volunteers arrived at
RAF Mildenhall
Royal Air Force Mildenhall, or more simply RAF Mildenhall , is a Royal Air Force List of Royal Air Force stations, station located near Mildenhall, Suffolk, Mildenhall in Suffolk, England. Despite its status as a List of Royal Air Force stations, ...
, England in January 1991 and was in the theater of operations when Operation Desert Shield turned into
Operation Desert Storm
Operation or Operations may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity
* Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory
* ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...
. With the defeat of the Iraqi forces and the end of the Gulf War, members returned home in June 1991 and were released from active duty.
As part of
Air Mobility Command
The Air Mobility Command (AMC) is a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force, U.S. Air Force. It is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, east of St. Louis, Missouri, ...
the unit continued to be called upon to support State, Federal, and
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
(UN) activities throughout the world. Volunteers from the 143rd participated in many UN relief missions; Somalia in 1992,
Operation Provide Promise
Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars, from 2 July 1992, to 9 January 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history.
By the end of the operation, ...
in 1993 flying daylight air-land missions into
Sarajevo
Sarajevo ( ), ; ''see Names of European cities in different languages (Q–T)#S, names in other languages'' is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a population of 2 ...
along with night airdrops over remote areas of
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina, sometimes known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and informally as Bosnia, is a country in Southeast Europe. Situated on the Balkan Peninsula, it borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to the north a ...
.
On 1 October 1995 the group was elevated to Wing status. In 1998 the Air Force formed the
Air Expeditionary Force
An Air Expeditionary Task Force (AETF) is a deployed numbered air force (NAF) or command echelon immediately subordinate to an NAF that is provided as the U.S. Air Force component command committed to a joint operation.
Notional AETF Composition
...
(AEF); smaller sized war fighting "packages" able to rapidly respond to regional conflicts. The Wing has participated in five AEF cycles, supporting
Operation Joint Forge
The Stabilisation Force (SFOR) was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina after the Bosnian War. Although SFOR was led by NATO, several non-NATO countries contributed troops. It was replaced by EUFOR Alth ...
in the Balkans,
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an air-centric military operation conducted by the United States Department of Defense from August 1992 to March 2003.
United States Central Command's Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (JTF-SWA) had the mission of moni ...
in Southwest Asia and Coronet Oak in South America.
Twenty-first century
On 11 September 2001, the 143rd responded to the call again, deploying unit members to Ground Zero, to US bases for homeland security and implemented 24-hour operations at Quonset. The squadron supported the
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
War in Afghanistan, Afghan war, or Afghan civil war may refer to:
*Conquest of Afghanistan by Alexander the Great (330 BC – 327 BC), the conquest of Afghanistan by the Macedonian Empire
*Muslim conquests of Afghanistan, a series of campaigns in t ...
and the
War in Iraq
This is a list of wars involving the Republic of Iraq and its predecessor states.
, style="background:#F88" , Coalition of Gulf War, Coalition victory
* Kuwait, State of Kuwait resumes self-governance over all Kuwaiti sovereign territory
* Esta ...
both by transporting troops and supplies from the U.S. to the Middle East and also moving forces within the theater. The 143rd AW provided the first-ever C-130J Aircraft in a combat role by the U.S. Air Force in December 2004 and continued to support the war effort with both the C-130E and C-130J until retiring the C-130E in 2005. The 143rd AW also provided and continues to provide the much needed troop support within Southwest Asia and many other areas of the world.
In December 2001, the 143rd received its first C-130J-30. The Wing became the first in the Air Force to receive the "stretch" version of the "J" model. As the most modern tactical airlifter in the world, the C-130J-30 can carry more cargo or personnel farther, faster, and more economically than the C-130E proving its increased airlift capability. The fleet for the 143rd was completed with the arrival of the eighth J-model at Quonset on 15 June 2007.
Lineage

* Designated 152nd Observation Squadron, and allotted to Rhode Island NG, on 21 August 1939
: Activated on 13 October 1939.
: Ordered to active service on 25 November 1940
: Re-designated: 152nd Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 January 1942
: Re-designated: 152nd Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
: Re-designated: 152nd Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943
: Re-designated: 152nd Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 15 June 1943
: Re-designated: 152nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
: Re-designated: 37th Photographic Mapping Squadron on 9 October 1943
: Re-designated: 37th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 29 March 1944
: Inactivated on 6 November 1945
* Re-designated: 152nd Fighter Squadron, and allotted to Rhode Island ANG, on 24 May 1946
: Re-designated: 152nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, and received federal recognition, 1 September 1948
: Re-designated: 152nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 September 1952
: Inactivated on 30 June 1956
* Re-designated: 143r Air Resupply Squadron and activated 1 November 1956
: Re-designated: 143rd Air Commando Squadron, 1 July 1963
: Re-designated: 143rd Special Operations Squadron, 1 July 1968
: Re-designated: 143rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, 1 October 1975
: Re-designated: 143rd Airlift Squadron, 16 March 1992
Assignments
*
Rhode Island National Guard
The Rhode Island National Guard consists of the:
* Rhode Island Army National Guardbr>* Rhode Island Air National Guardbr>** 102nd Information Warfare Squadron
** 143d Airlift Wing
** 281st Combat Communications Group
** 282nd Combat Communicat ...
, 13 October 1939
* First Corps Area, 25 November 1940
* VI Army Corps, 30 December 1940
*
26th Observation (later Reconnaissance) Group, 1 September 1941
*
73rd Reconnaissance (later Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 27 June 1943
*
69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 9 October 1943
* II Tactical Air Division, 29 March 1944
*
I (later III) Tactical Air Division, 12 April 1944
*
5th Photographic (later Reconnaissance) Group, 15 November 1944 – 28 October 1945
*
102nd Fighter Group
The United States Air Force's 102nd Intelligence Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, is a military intelligence unit located at Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Its primary subordinate operational unit is the 101st Intell ...
, 1 September 1948
*
102nd Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 102nd Intelligence Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, is a military intelligence unit located at Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Its primary subordinate operational unit is the 101st Intell ...
, 1 November 1950
*
102nd Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 1 September 1952 – 30 June 1956
*
Rhode Island Air National Guard
The Rhode Island Air National Guard (RI ANG) is the aerial militia of the Rhode Island, State of Rhode Island, United States, United States of America. It is a reserve of the United States Air Force and along with the Rhode Island Army National Gu ...
, 1 November 1956
: Gained by:
Military Air Transport Service
The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) is an inactive United States Department of Defense, Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy's Naval Air Transport Service (NA ...
: Gained by:
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command (TAC) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 and headquartered at Lang ...
, 1 July 1963
*
143rd Special Operations Group, 1 July 1968
*
143rd Tactical Airlift Group, 1 October 1975
* 143rd Operations Group, 1 October 1995 – Present
Stations
*
Hillsgrove Army Airfield, Rhode Island, 13 October 1939
*
Fort Devens Airfield,
Massachusetts
Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...
, 31 July 1941
*
Reading Army Airfield, Pennsylvania, 8 June 1943
*
Camp Campbell Army Airfield
Campbell Army Airfield is a military airport at Fort Campbell, which is located near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Hopkinsville, a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States.
Previously Campbell Air Force Base, a U.S. Air Force installation f ...
, Kentucky, 27 June 1943
*
Esler Field
Esler Field,
also known as Esler Regional Airport , is a military and public use airfield in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States, near the City of Pineville. It is located 10 nautical miles (12 statute miles, 19 kilometres) northeast ...
, Louisiana, 20 November 1943
*
Muskogee Army Airfield, Oklahoma, 12 Apr – 3 October 1943
*
Capodichino Airport
San Pietro a Patierno is a suburb of Naples, the chief city in Campania, Italy.
Geography
It is one of the largest suburbs of Naples and is relatively lightly populated compared to surrounding areas, with around 20,000 residents. The district ...
, Naples, Italy, 18 November 1944
*
San Severo Airfield
The Foggia Airfield Complex was a series of World War II military airfields located within a radius of Foggia, in the Province of Foggia, Italy. The airfields were used by the United States Army Air Forces' Fifteenth Air Force as part of the s ...
, Italy, 12 December 1944
*
Bari Airfield
The Foggia Airfield Complex was a series of World War II military airfields located within a radius of Foggia, in the Province of Foggia, Italy. The airfields were used by the United States Army Air Forces' Fifteenth Air Force as part of the st ...
, Italy, 8 August 1945
*
Capodichino Airport
San Pietro a Patierno is a suburb of Naples, the chief city in Campania, Italy.
Geography
It is one of the largest suburbs of Naples and is relatively lightly populated compared to surrounding areas, with around 20,000 residents. The district ...
, Naples, Italy, 17 Sep – 18 October 1945
*
Camp Patrick Henry
Camp Patrick Henry is a decommissioned United States Army base which was located in Warwick County, Virginia. After World War II, the site was redeveloped as a commercial airport, and became part of City of Newport News in 1958 when the former C ...
, Virginia, 6 November 1945
*
Theodore Francis Green Airport
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is a public international airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, United States, south of the state's capital and largest city of Providence. Opened in 1931, the airport was named for former Rhode Isla ...
, Rhode Island, 1 September 1948 – 30 June 1956; 1 November 1956
*
Quonset State Airport
Quonset State Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located on Quonset Point, in northeastern North Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States, adjacent to Narragansett Bay. It is a general aviation airport and there is no scheduled air ...
, Rhode Island, 1 October 1980
: Designated:
Quonset Point Air National Guard Station
Quonset Point Air National Guard Station is the home base of the Rhode Island Air National Guard 143rd Airlift Wing. Naval Air Station (NAS) Quonset Point was a United States Naval Base in Quonset Point, Rhode Island that was deactivated in 1 ...
, Rhode Island, 1991–Present.
Aircraft
*
Douglas O-38
The Douglas O-38 is an observation airplane used by the United States Army Air Corps in the 1930s and early 1940s.
Between 1931 and 1934, Douglas built 156 O-38s for the Air Corps, eight of which were O-38Fs. Some were still in service at the t ...
, 1939–1941
* O-47, 1939–1942
*
O-52 Owl
The Curtiss O-52 Owl is an observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps before and during World War II. They were used for anti-submarine searches in Americas and by lend-lease also used on the Eastern Front in Europe by the So ...
, 1941–1943
*
Douglas O-46
The Douglas O-46 is an observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps and the Philippine Army Air Corps. , 1941–1943
*
Stinson O-49, 1941–1943
*
Aeronca O-58, 1941–1943
* O-59, 1941–1943
*
A-20 Havoc
The Douglas A-20 Havoc (company designation DB-7) is an American light bomber, attack aircraft, Intruder (air combat), night intruder, night fighter, and reconnaissance aircraft of World War II.
Designed to meet an Army Air Corps requirement for ...
, 1943–1944
*
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell is an American medium bomber that was introduced in 1941 and named in honor of Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation. Used by many Allied air forces, the B-25 served ...
, 1943–1944
*
P-39 Airacobra
The Bell P-39 Airacobra is a fighter produced by Bell Aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was one of the principal American fighters in service when the United States entered combat. The P-39 was used by th ...
, 1943–1944
*
F-5 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinc ...
, 1944–1945
*
F-47 Thunderbolt
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. It was a successful high-altitude fighter, and it also served as the foremost American fighter-bombe ...
, 1948–1952
*
F-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in 1940 by a team headed by James H. Kin ...
, 1952–1956
*
SA-16 Albatross
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large, twin-radial engined amphibious aircraft, amphibious flying boat that was used by the United States Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Royal Canadian Air Force primar ...
(SA-16A variant), 1956–1968
*
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. During the war the C-47 was used for troo ...
, 1956–1957
*
C-46 Commando
The Curtiss C-46 Commando is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft derived from the Curtiss CW-20 pressurized high-altitude airliner design. Early press reports used the name "Condor III" but the Commando name was in use by early 1942 in company ...
, 1957–1963
*
U-10D Super Courier, 1963–1965; 1968–1975
*
U-6 Beaver, 1965–1968
*
HU-16 Albatross
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large, twin-radial engined amphibious flying boat that was used by the United States Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Royal Canadian Air Force primarily as a search an ...
, 1968–1972
*
C-119 Flying Boxcar
The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (Navy and Marine Corps designation R4Q) is an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechani ...
, 1972–1975
*
C-130A Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designe ...
, 1975–1989
*
C-130E Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designe ...
, 1989–2005
*
C-130J Hercules
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems.
The C-130J is th ...
, 2004–Present
See also
*
References
* Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978.
* Globalsecurity.org 143rd Airlift Group
143rd Airlift Wing Factsheet* Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946–1980. Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center.
* 5
External links
{{Air National Guard
Squadrons of the United States Air National Guard
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Washington County, Rhode Island
143
Military units and formations in Rhode Island