Kentucky: National Guard History eMuseum

Major General Philip Ardery from Mustangs to Phantoms KYANG 1947-1977.

The Louisville based Kentucky Air National Guard (ANG), Kentucky's only ANG unit, officially began with federal recognition on February 16, 1947, although groundwork started in 1945. As a reserve component of the United States Air Force, the Kentucky ANG serves a dual role commanded by the governor through the Adjutant General in a non-mobilized status, and the President and/or Congress upon being mobilized into federal service.

Located in the former World War II Vultee B-24 Bomber Modification Center (later Bremner Biscuit Company) at Standiford Field (now Louisville International Airport) the Kentucky ANG's first aircraft including 25 North American F-51D Mustangs arrived during May 1947. Under the command of Lt. Col. Philip Ardery, a decorated World War II bomber pilot, the unit was designated the 123rd Fighter Group (FG)/165th Fighter Squadron (FS). Molded around a group of experienced World War II veterans, its first years were engaged in organization, recruitment, and training. During January 1949, Kentucky ANG Mustangs participated in the inauguration of President Harry S. Truman in Washington, DC.

F-51Ds carrying special markings for a military exercise, circa 1955. Courtesy Charles Arrington.

On September 18, 1951, the 123rd FBW was moved to Manston Royal Air Force Station near Margate, England. Its mission was to support NATO units in Europe and provide air defense for the United Kingdom. Pilots were assigned to fly the Republic F-84E Thunderjet. On July 9, 1952, the 123rd FBW was returned to the Kentucky ANG. This was a paper move only as personnel and equipment remained in Europe. It was another year before most of the officers and enlisted ranks returned to Standiford Field and resumed flying the F-51D Mustang.

On September 13, 1956, the first of 25 North American F-86A Sabre Jets arrived in Louisville. Preceding this, the Kentucky ANG was redesignated the 123rd Fighter Interceptor Wing/ 165th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Sabres were used to supplement the air defense of a 300-mile sector around Louisville. Four pilots were put on alert during daylight hours to be airborne within three minutes of a scramble.

North American F-86A Sabre Jet over the Louisville area 1957-1958. Courtesy Charles Arrington.

Flight operations with the F-86A were short lived and by 1958 conversion was underway to the Martin RB-57B Canberra. The Canberra brought an entirely new mission to the Kentucky ANG: aerial photographic reconnaissance. A realignment and redesignation of the wing followed resulting in the creation of the 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW)/ 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS). In time the wing included in addition to the 165th TRS, the 117th TRS (Kansas ANG), 154th TRS (Arkansas ANG), and the 192nd TRS (Nevada ANG). Capable of taking detailed photographs at high and low altitudes.

Canberras participated in numerous military exercises far and wide. Two examples were "Operation Willow Freeze" to Alaska in 1960 and 1961 and "Operation Swift Strike I" to South Carolina, also in 1961. During 1960, the base was moved to a new 51-acre site on the south side of Standiford Field. At this time, Philip Ardery, now a Brigadier General, accepted an assignment to the Pentagon. He was replaced on a temporary basis by Brig. Gen. William D. Ott and then by Col. William H. Webster as permanent wing commander in 1961.

RB-57B Canberra serial number 21551. This particular aircraft is now in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC and is scheduled for display at the new Udvar-Hazy Center that will open in December 2003. Courtesy Charles Arrington.

During 1965 with the nation engaged in the Vietnam War, Air National Guard Canberras were recalled by the Air Force for combat duty in Asia. On February 16, it was announced that the 123rd TRW would replace its RB-57s with McDonnell RF-101 Voodoos. When delivered, Voodoos were a mix of F-101A and F-101C fighters, and would undergo a period of conversion to reconnaissance, then being designated RF-101G and FF-101H. The RF-101 provided the Kentucky ANG with its first supersonic aircraft and an airplane that was capable of air-to-air refueling. With military forces heavily engaged in Vietnam during 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson mobilized the 123rd TRW on January 26th in response to North Korea's capture of an intelligence ship, the U.S.S. Pueblo. Known as the Pueblo Recall, the wing was ordered to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri, near Kansas City, for a period of active duty. To bolster forces in Korea, the entire 123rd TRW (now without the 117th TRS) deployed to Itazuke Air Base, Japan on a rotational basis.

The Kentucky ANG went last preceded by the 154th TRS and 192nd TRS. Kentuckians served in Japan from January into April 1969. By June 9th, the entire 123rd TRW was deactivated and returned to state control. Among the many awards and commendations earned during the recall, Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Jack Owen accepted for the entire wing a Presidential Proclamation from President Richard M. Nixon in December.

Leadership changes through the remainder of the Voodoo years (into 1976) saw the following serving as wing commander: Col. Verne M. Yahne, Col. William J. Semonin, Brig. Gen. L. A. Quebbeman, and Brig. Gen. Fred F. Bradley. During 1972 the fleet of Voodoos, now consisting of only RF-101Hs, was exchanged for standard production line RF-101C aircraft. After a deadly series of tornadoes devastated parts of Kentucky, including Louisville, on April 3, 1974, Kentucky ANG Voodoos crisscrossed the areas producing aerial photos to help assess the damage.

A major upgrade in reconnaissance came on March 11, 1976 when it announced that the Kentucky ANG would re-equip with the McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II. At the time, the two crew member Phantom was the state of the art Air Force reconnaissance fighter with the ability to perform at night and in all weather at speeds exceeding mach two. During the 1970s, the Pentagon initiated the "Total Force" concept where the reserves and National Guard would take more responsibility in the nation's defense. In this regard, the Phantom equipped Kentucky ANG made several major deployments to Europe.

During 1978 the entire 123rd TRW participated in a NATO military exercise titled "Coronet Snipe" to Norway. In 1982, the Kentucky ANG represented the ANG in NATO photo competition, "Best Focus '82" in Denmark. A training exercise at Ingolstadt Air Base, West Germany occurred in 1983. The last Phantom deployment to Europe was in 1986 during "Coronet Shoshoni" to West Germany. Highly regarded by ground and flight crews, Phantoms of the Kentucky ANG often carried temporary colorful markings during European duty. Through the mid-1980s, membership of the 123rd TRW included the 165th TRS (Kentucky ANG), 192nd TRS (Nevada ANG), and 162nd TRS (Idaho ANG).

KyANG 60th Anniversary Logo

Airlift became the primary mission of the Kentucky Air National Guard in 1989 when C-130B Hercules transports were assigned to replace the RF-4C. With the Hercules, a large four engine turbo-prop aircraft, a complete retraining of ground and flight crews was needed. Redesignated the 123rd Tactical Airlift Wing/ 165th Tactical Airlift Squadron (TAS), its composition was now the 135th TAS (Maryland ANG), 156th TAS (North Caroline ANG), and 164th TAS (Ohio ANG). Although not federally mobilized during "Operation Desert Shield" and "Desert Storm," the Kentucky ANG using volunteers airlifted more cargo in support of the effort than any other ANG unit. On February 6, 1992, a C-130B on a training flight practicing takeoffs and landings at the Evansville, Indiana Airport crashed into a nearby hotel. Fatalities included the five crewmembers aboard the aircraft and eleven on the ground.

Deliveries of twelve new C-130H Hercules commenced during May 1992. Included in the dozen was the 2000th C-130 built by the manufacturer, Lockheed Aircraft Company. Into the 1990s, the Kentucky ANG has participated in numerous humanitarian airlift missions worldwide. Among these were relief flights in 1993 into Somalia for "Operation Restore Hope" and "Provide Relief." The same year it was deliveries of food and supplies to Bosnia-Herzegovina to support "Operation Provide Promise." During "Operation Support Hope," relief missions were flown into Rwanda and Zaire in 1994. Personnel assisted in security and cleanup efforts after the 1996 Bullitt County tornado and 1997 Kentucky floods.

As a result of Air Force restructuring in 1992, the Kentucky ANG received its current designation, the 123rd Airlift Wing/ 165th Airlift Squadron. No longer are any out of state units attached to the 123rd. Wing commanders from the 1970s into the late 1990s have been Maj. Gen. Carl Black, Brig. Gen. John L. Smith, Col. Joseph L. Kottak, Col. John V. Greene, Maj. Gen. Stewart R. Byrne, and Col. Michael L. Harden. During 1995, as a result of the expansion of Louisville International Airport, the base was moved to a new 81.5-acre facility on the northeast side of the airport.

In 1997 the Kentucky ANG celebrated its 50th anniversary. Over this period of time, it has been recognized with many prestigious awards including three Spaatz Trophies, the Metcalf Trophy, ANG Distinguished Unit Plaque, Air Force Safety Plaque, and nine Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. The 1203 member unit contributes annually a total economic impact on the community exceeding $55 million.

History of the Kentucky Air National Guard