#144th FW

[nocternalrandomness]

California ANG flying the 144th Fighter Wing F-15C Freedom Eagle at the 2023 Pacific Airshow

[flagoftheusa]

Freedom Eagle

F-15C (83-0113) from the Fresno California ANG 144th FW, 194th FS is painted in a patriotic livery which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the USAF on Sept. 18, 2022.

[usafphantom2]

144th FW F-15Cs over San Francisco. (SrA Lawrence Sena)

@kadonkey via X

[planesawesome]

F-15C 82-0028, assigned to the 194th FS/144th FW, California ANG at Fresno AFB, arrives at Lakenheath with HITMAN04  (C) Ron Humphreys

[militaryleak]

US Air Force 144th Fighter Wing Welcomes Lockheed F-117 Nighthawks for Training

The U.S. Air Force 144th Fighter Wing welcomed the arrival of two F-117 Nighthawk aircraft Sept 13, 2021 to the Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, to conduct dissimilar air combat training missions. #usairforce #military #defense #defence

The U.S. Air Force 144th Fighter Wing welcomed the arrival of two F-117 Nighthawk aircraft Sept 13, 2021 to the Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, to conduct dissimilar air combat training missions. Over the next few days the 144th FW’s F-15 pilots will conduct multiple dissimilar air combat training missions with the F-117 pilots. This is the first time that F-117 Nighthawks have landed…

[mechagalaxy]

July 3321 Sixty Chrono

Mountain Climbing Mecha Combat

Brought to you by ANN, A Newschannell for Mecha Combat

Highlighting the July 3321 Sixty Chrono

I was once again on K3. It was a short chrono this time, and allowed mechtonnage was up to 60 tons. I had done pretty well in the Ratman against mostly the same opponents, but this was a chrono, and most would have quite a few mechs on me. Besides, Namtars are sort of self-destructive, and I had no Pyrophoruses. Instead I elected to use speed and dodge. Snooze Company had been trimmed down to mostly Nifthels, and would only need some small adjustments. I decided to keep the Novums as even faster scouts, and threw in a pair of Fides` and two Cindrons. Hurrying to the mountain to get some early points I claimed the top and sat down for a nap. I was undisturbed for a few hours until Bob Schlomer showed up. He wanted top spot, and his Wolfpack (Wargs, wargs and more wargs) threw us down to the slopes. After launching some fifty probes I decided his force was way superior to mine and settled for a new nap on the slopes. Then German Jaramillo showed up. His Ogguns chased us away, but my crew liked the camp and reclaimed it. A few more back and forth battles ended with me at top slope and Jaramillo at second slope. Then, true to its name, Snooze Company slept through the rest of the climb. The offcials woke us up and asked us to leave as the event was over. Looking at the scoreboard I found I had gotten most points in my division and recieved my 30th Nephilax. The full list of winners were:

Div 1 (13 players) Shawn Wretham, Juggernaut (+11300) Div 2 (16 players) Sherriff Leary Wretham, Juggernaut (+15250) Div 3 (14 players) Sten Hugo Hiller, Star League (+3700) Div 4 (16 players) Chris Harding, The Isle of Misfit Toys (+16040) Div 5 (33 players) `Mark Shc Wiseman, B.S.L.R. (+3660) Div 6 (18 players) Darryl Proctor, PHOENIX (+3390) Div 7 (21 players) Kris Tolson, Platinium Dragons (+6450) Div 8 (17 players) Siegfried Gust, Black Star Bandits (+8620) Div 9 (24 players) Ila Mari Antonsen, today and tomorrow (+1660) Div 10 (26 players) JohnWeston, M.P.A. `Squad B`s (+7900) Div 11 (20 players) Stug Hill, 144th Caissan Light Cavallery (+15420) Div 12 (9 players) Chucky_, Politically Incorrect (+8020)

Total participants: 227, Total Medals: 171 (of 180 possible)

Participation was down again. While I might blame the unclaimed Bronzes in div 1 and 3 on the brackets, I think the problem was more a short chrono in a format wery few were prepared for.

The Crono had about 72 scorerounds, so max score was 90 000. Siegfried Gust was closest: 85150. Some divisions held more exitement than others, divs 3, 5, 6 and especially 9 could have gone other ways if it had been more fighting and a few more scorerounds. Best Clan was Juggernaut, two Golds to the Wretham family in the two top divisions. No unaligned winners this time, and no repeat winners either.

Now, most of the other winners had left, but my wife and daughters were waiting for me. I thought they were rehersing congratulations for me, but instead they cheered on Ila Mari. I considered interviewing her, but as the guidances for interviews is no oftener than every three years I refrained, it would not do to break rules for family. They were just giving some hugs before they went off to celebrations With their own clan, and when I got back to the compound there were some celebration there as well. So I ended up slightly out of synch, and had no interview. Seeing two images of myself in the mirror gave me an idea. Why not interview myself? Probably a lot of reasons, but I was to drunk to remember them, so I went ahead.

ANN Welcome to the studios. Your first apperance on the climbs was in the may `73 event. You joined up with the Smoking Aces in `74 for CW 8 and stayed there until you changed alignment to Star League in `81. Exepting some clustering in the FWs you have stayed there since, getting one CW Gold in the process. What made you change to Star League in the first place?

Sten Hugo Hiller Smoking Aces slowed down, most of the others were less active for a while, and when the opening in Star League came I decided to give it a try. It is a great team here, but always room for more warriors who can accept our somewhat casual style.

ANN This was your 30th Gold, What Gold is most special to you, the first, the last, the upcoming or some other?

Sten Hugo Hiller The first Gold were a surprise to me, it came in the April `02 frontline fight. I snatched it with seconds to spare against mainly stronger opponents. That is generally the story of my Golds, opposition is mostly stronger, but sometimes I get double lucky. Claim the top and have it end before they take it back. I think the one I like the most was the January `06 Nifty. I had gotten Snooze Company a going concern and had 30 Nifthels in it. None other in my division had more than 13 at the time, so I sat untouchable on the top for almost 3 days.

ANN Being owerwhelmingly strong is certainly one way to win events. Do you like all events equally, or do you have preferences when it comes to the Limited/Unlimited question?

Sten Hugo Hiller Well, I like all the tournaments, and try to participate in them, but I am at a serious disadvantage in the unlimited as my main formation is smaller and lighter than most at my level.

ANN That tend to have some serious consequenses like running out of mechs. What is your take on the weapontypes?

Sten Hugo Hiller They are a change, but for me they are essentially unlimited. I have to few mechs and weapons to make proper formations and tend to use my main, perhaps swapping out a mech or three and changing out a dozen weapons.

ANN I think there are few who have all five specialities. But those that do have them tend to do better than those without. How about the Rainbows, are they favorites of yours?

Sten Hugo Hiller Single is more of a Collector event. I am not saying getting one of each is impossible, but some mechs are mostly seen only in Single, as they are deemed not good enough to be in players main formation. For the double you tend to have your everyday mechs present, and in the triple even more so. The Rainbows saving grace is it takes away walls of supermechs, and lets the mere mortals have a shot at the good prizes.

ANN That is one way of looking at it. How about the weightlimits, do you prefer max tonnage or mechtype?

Sten Hugo Hiller I am more a fan of the mechtype. As a packrat I have plenty of mechs many at my level have discarded. Only thing I dislike is that the two non-type mechs are of a higher allowed tonnage. I remember an Ant only tournament way back. I had about 20 Ants. My heaviest mech at the time was the Bishop. And one of the opponents showed up with two Ants and two Regis.

ANN A raw deal, but always read the rules before you join. How about the Chrono format, is that to your liking?

Sten Hugo Hiller Yes/no. I generally get a high percentage of medals in them as I usually enter at the beginning and get some easy points there. But to succeed you must be overwhelmingly strong or be present for most of the climb. So while I get medals, it is generally Bronzes.

ANN What would your favorite KOTM be if you designed one?

Sten Hugo Hiller Have some out of normal ideas. Single Rainbow Lightning (max 25 ton) should be doable for all participants, but I think top row (Serial Pointmech) would be my favorite

ANN There have been many suggestions on types, from your lips to the Developers ears. You mentioned earlier you have plenty of mechs, is it a struggle to keep them up to date?

Sten Hugo Hiller You can say that again. Some days I spend more time mining for crystals than fighting. Ok, to tell the truth, that is all days.

ANN Its a hard life when even successful Commanders as you have to moonlight as mineworkers to make the ends meet. Do you have any recomendations when it comes to mechs, weapons and equipment?

Sten Hugo Hiller The most important resorce in this game is friends. Yes you might manage to fill your HG with Mercenaries, and mechs can be leveled with purely Niodes. But to get Hatorades you need someone sending them to you. Also someone to share ideas and plans with, make a clan and participate in group tournamets like the CW/FW/SW. As for mechs, getting and having a full formation for all specialists is highly recommended. If you can afford it, one of each for use in rainbows is also a recomendation I can make. If you are lucky enough to find a Novum KEEP IT. That is the best mech in the game for its tonnage, I use it in weightclasses up to and including 65ton. Weapons, I have what I win, resorce situation being what it is I cant afford to buy good stuff. For those that have the resorces I would recomend getting weapons with special abilities. Equipmentwise I prefer what can be used over a long tonnage range.

ANN Thank you for these observations. do you have any final words?

Sten Hugo Hiller Yes, join the tournaments and win prizes, if I could do it so can you.

As deadline was almost upon me I had to submit now. Any fresh winner can try and get in touch after the

Upcoming event: Welterweight That is: Only mechs weighing 45 tons or less will be allowed to fight. Mechs weighing 50 tons or more will just leave an hole in your formation.

Event ends April 9 between 0100 and 0200 New York Time.

[stylecolorful]

NEW 1/72 F-15C MSIP II "CALIFORNIA ANG 144TH FW" ACADEMY MODEL KIT #12531 AIRFORCE SPECIAL EDITION

http://www.stylecolorful.com/new-1-72-f-15c-msip-ii-california-ang-144th-fw-academy-model-kit-12531-airforce-special-edition/

[soldierporn]

Vigilant Eagles.

A United States Air Force F-15C Eagle from the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard flies over the High Arctic during Exercise Vigilant Shield 16. From Oct. 15-26, 2015, approximately 700 members from the Canadian Armed Forces, the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and the United States Air National Guard are deploying to Iqaluit, Nunavut, and 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador for Exercise Vigilant Shield 16. 

(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Master Sgt. David J. Loeffler, 22 OCT 2015.)

[nocternalrandomness]

Griffon One roaring through Owens Valley

This jet, operated by the California Air National Guard 144th FW was retired recently in August 2024 after reaching the end of its service hours. It will be repainted and put up on a stick by the entrance of the Fresno ANG base to serve as a memorial.

[nocternalrandomness]

CA ANG F-15 in anniversary livery rolls onto final at RAF Lakenheath, England

[nocternalrandomness]

"Freedom Eagle"

F-15C (83-0113) from the Fresno California ANG 144th FW, 194th FS is painted in a patriotic livery which celebrated the 75th anniversary of the USAF on Sept. 18, 2022.

[usafphantom2]

A McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle with the 144th FW. This aircraft apparently was involved with 2 air to air kills in Iraq. (santana, 4ccs)

@kadonkey via X

[usafphantom2]

ANG F-15C pilot explains how he was able to "sllow" an F/A-18F with Top Gun pilot in a simulated combat

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 03/01/2023 - 12:00 in Military

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Pilots of the 194th Fighter Squadron, of the 144th Fighter Wing, of the California National Air Guard (ANG), challenged the students of the U.S. Navy Hunting Weapons School (TOPGUN) during the final graduation event from November 18 to 20, 2022, at the Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada.

Fighter pilots and fuselages of military units in the United States are invited to oppose TOPGUN students during their culminating events, which are composed of individual combat simulations. This time, the ANG "Griffins" were as opponents.

"Our unit had the honor of being invited to participate with these elite Navy pilots," said Lieutenant Colonel David Allamandola, a pilot of the 194th FS. "These partnerships offer unique and valuable flight opportunities for everyone involved."

This year's TOPGUN graduate drivers flew against F-16, F-35, F-18 and F-15 during the event. Although each meeting is considered an air combat, the competition is friendly and ultimately facilitates a multi-force military coalition that also meets the objectives of full force.

“It is important to train with other branches frequently,” said U.S. National Air Guard captain Dane Ruhnau, a 194th FS pilot. "When the fight happens, we will need to execute as a joint force to succeed against an almost equal opponent."

Ruhnau, one of the five pilots of the 194th FS who participated, gained an advantage during his combat by quickly changing his tactics based on the capabilities of his F-15C Eagle and the other pilot's aircraft.

"You don't know which fuselage you are fighting with until you reach the merger," Ruhnau said. "In the merger, you must visually identify your counterpart and adjust your plan according to what you see. In my fight, I merged with an F/A-18F Super Hornet. I knew he would have an advantage in low-speed maneuvers and I would have an advantage in power."

Ruhnau gained the offensive position using basic high-looking standard hunting maneuvers.

"As the engagement progressed, I was able to maintain the offensive position using my aircraft to perform a vertical loop to finish in the Hornet control zone," Ruhnau said. "From the control zone, I managed to shoot the Hornet before we had to end the fuel fight."

Ruhnau describes the feedback received from the TOPGUN school after the event as extremely positive, and the Griffins now have a permanent invitation to return. In the meantime, the 194th FS will continue to train and complete missions at its base to provide air superiority and defense to the United States.

The 194th FS is a unit of the 144th FW of the California National Air Guard at Fresno Air Base, California. The 194th is equipped with the F-15 Eagle and, as its mother wing, the 144th "Griffins", is operationally within the U.S. Air Force (USAF) active by the Air Combat Command (ACC). The 194th FS began the process of converting to F-15C Eagles from the 120th FW of the Montana National Air Guard, with the arrival of the first of the 21 F-15 fighters on June 18, 2013.

The F-15 replaced the F-16, the previous aircraft of the unit. The F-15 Eagle is an extremely maneuverable tactical fighter for any weather, designed to allow the U.S. Air Force to win and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.

Tags: ANG - Air National Guard / U.S. National Air GuardF-15 EagleF/A-18E/F Super HornetTop GunUSAF - United States Air Force / US Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[nocternalrandomness]

F-15C from the ANG CA 144th FW lights the burners and roars into Star Wars Canyon

[nocternalrandomness]

144th FW CA ANG F-15 Eagle over Fresno

[planesawesome]

F-15C 84-0004, especially apainted up for the 75th anniversary of the 144th FW, arrives at Lakenheath with BULLET2 (C) Ron Humphreys