The first "Pass and Review" conducted at Truax Field in Madison, Wis., April 28, 1951. The 176th Fighter Squadron, now known as the 115th Fighter Wing, flew the F-51 Mustang, left, from 1948-1952. Photo courtesy 115th Fighter Wing
“We owe our success to the trailblazers who raised their right hand and had the foresight to create a foundation that would prove invaluable for decades to come,” said Col. Erik Peterson, 115th Fighter Wing commander. “For 70 years, this unit has answered the call of our state and nation, and we will continue to defend and protect our freedoms stateside and abroad.”
An F-86 Sabre on a flightline in the mid-1950s. The 115th Fighter Wing, then called the 176th Fighter Squadron, began receiving the F-86A Sabres in October 1953. Photo courtesy 115th Fighter Wing
Over the past seven decades the Truax Field-based unit has principally flown eight different aircraft — the F-51 Mustang fighter aircraft, F-89 Scorpion jet fighter, F-86A Sabre jet fighter, F-102 Delta Dagger fighter interceptor, O-2A Skymaster observation aircraft, OA-37 Dragonfly, A-10 Thunderbird II (Warthog) and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. During that span of time the unit has also flown the T-6 trainer aircraft, C-27 Skytrain transport, B-26 Marauder medium bomber, C-130B Hercules transport, and C-26B Metroliner, which is used today to support counterdrug operations.
F-89 Scorpions on the ramp at Truax Field, Madison, Wis. The 115th Fighter Wing, formally designated the 176th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, operated the F-89 from 1955-1966. U.S. Air Force photo
The F-102 Delta Dagger began to arrive at the 115th Fighter Wing, then called the 176th Fighter Intercept Squadron, in May 1966. The new aircraft meant more training and put pilots and crews on a five-minute, 24-7 alert status. The Delta Dagger stayed with the unit until 1974. Photo courtesy 115th Fighter Wing
In 1974 the 115th Fighter Wing, then called the 176th Tactical Air Support Squadron, flew the O-2A Skymaster, which had a forward air control mission. Photo courtesy 115th Fighter Wing
The 128th Tactical Air Support Wing returned to the "jet age" with the announcement that the not-much-loved O-2A Skymaster would be replaced by the OA-37 Dragonfly. The wing maintained its forward air control mission, which would continue into the A-10 Thunderbolt era two years later. Image from the April 1979 Badger Air Militia publication
“Over the past 14 years, the 115th Fighter Wing executed five major combat deployments and two Theatre Security Package deployments with 100 percent effectiveness,” said Col. Erik Peterson, current wing commander. “We continue to answer our nation’s call.”
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was flown at the 115th Fighter Wing, then called the 128th Tactical Fighter Wing, from 1981-1992. In addition to many deployments for training, the unit supported Army units both at home and abroad during this time. Photo courtesy 115th Fighter Wing
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 128th Fighter Wing over Lake Monona in Madison, Wis. The unit gained the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1992, and redesignated as the 115th Fighter Wing in 1995. Photo courtesy 115th Fighter Wing
Last December, Truax Field was named one of two preferred locations for the next Air National Guard units to receive the F-35A Lightning II 5th generation fighter jet. Pending the results of an environmental impact analysis, which could take up to two years, the 115th Fighter Wing could begin receiving the F-35A in early 2023.
Gov. Scott Walker and senior Wisconsin Air National Guard leaders, along with members of Together Truax, announced that the U.S. Air Force selected Truax Field Air Base in Madison, Wis., as a preferred location for one of the next two Air National guard F-35A bases. The final basing decision will be made following completion of an environmental impact analysis. The 5th-generation fighter jet could arrive at Truax Field in early 2023. Wisconsin National Guard photo by Sgt. Katie Eggers
“We’ve been busy, but we know our future is bright,” Peterson said.
Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben, Wisconsin’s deputy adjutant general for Air, praised the 115th Fighter Wing for seven decades of excellence.
“Everything from the Midwest work ethic to the culture to the legacy to those who have come before to carry that torch — each successive generation has taken that performance bar and moved it up just a notch to set that bar just a little higher for everyone,” Ebben said. “That brings us to where we are today. There is no doubt in my mind that the 115th Fighter Wing is the absolute best combat Air Force unit in the United States Air Force — active duty, Guard or Reserve.”