With approximately 4,000 members, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PAANG), a reserve component of the United States Air Force, plays an important role in the nation's defense and supporting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in times of need. Pennsylvania's three wings, located at six separate bases across the commonwealth, ensure both federal and state missions are efficiently and successfully accomplished. The three wings are:
The 111th Attack Wing is based at Biddle Air National Guard Base n in Horsham, Pa. It serves as a control center for the MQ-9 remotely-piloted aircraft and provides engineering and electronics capabilities through specialized units. The wing also hosts several tenant organizations at the base including units of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve, among others.
The 171st Air Refueling Wing is based at the Pittsburgh International Airport in Coraopolis, Pa. It provides aerial refueling capability to U.S. and Allied forces worldwide using the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.
The 193rd Special Operations Wing is based at the Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pa., and provides the only aerial television and radio broadcasting capability in the Air Force using the EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft.
In addition to flying operations, the three PAANG wings command several Geographically Separated Units (GSUs) providing combat support capability in the areas of engineering, communication, air traffic control, weather forecasting, close air support and other air mission disciplines.
