More than 500 volunteer California Air
National Guard members were activated for Operations Desert Shield
and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. They served in Germany, Iceland,
England, Spain, and the Persian Gulf region, as well as backfill
positions throughout the continental U.S.. Air Guard members
served in critical specialties such as medical, pararescue, security,
combat communications, food service, and fire fighting.
144th Fighter
Wing
Members of the 144th Tactical Hospital
established operations at Mather Air Force Base, replacing active-component
medical staff deployed while overseas, flight line fire fighters
of the 144th Fighter Wing deployed to continental U.S. bases.
146th Airlift
Wing
Aeromedical evacuation teams and C-130
flight crews from the 146th Airlift Wing repeatedly flew month-long
rotations to Europe and in the continental U.S. in support of
the war effort.
129th Rescue Wing
Elements of the 129th Tactical Hospital
mobilized to the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia to prepare for
the possibility of mass casualties and to provide medical care
for allied forces liberating Kuwait. Air and Maintenance crews
deployed to Iceland to fly rescue patrols in the North Atlantic
during the movement of U.S. Forces to and from the Middle East.
Pararescue Specialists participated in rescue operations behind
enemy lines and in the liberation of Kuwait City.
163rd Air Refueling
Wing
On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait
and Operation Desert Shield began. The 163rd identified equipment
to be shipped out in support of the operation. On August 22,
1990, the first 41 personnel of the 163rd were activated to support
Desert Shield.
162nd Combat Communications
Group
The 162nd fielded a provisional squadron
early in the Persian Gulf build-up to establish critical air-to-ground
and satellite communications in remote areas facilitating several
ground-controlled intercepts of enemy jet fighters and friendly
force rescue operations.
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