Location
Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, on the southern portion of Rosecrans Memorial Airport. It is the home of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. The 139th Airlift Wing (AMC) is one of the two flying wings currently in the Missouri Air National Guard. The flying unit is the 180th Airlift Squadron which operationally flies the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft.
History
In 1947, control of the base shifted from the Army to the newly-established U.S. Air Force. In 1948, the base was conveyed by the Air Force back to the City of Saint Joseph, Missouri with the exception of 142 acres set aside for use by the Air National Guard organized in 1947.
The 139th Airlift Wing has its roots in the formation of the 180th Bombardment Squadron (Light) which was one of the first federally recognized Air National Guard units in the nation. The 180th BS (L) received federal recognition on 22 August 1946 by an inspection team from 2nd Air Force. The 180th BS was assigned the Douglas B-26B/C “Invader” light bomber. Lt Col John B. Logan, who was instrumental in forming the unit, was named as the first Squadron Commander and would be later named the Base Commander. He had accumulated more than 250 combat hours in 22 combat missions as a B-17 pilot and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters and campaign ribbons representing the Northern France, Central Europe and Normandy theaters of operation. The 180th BS (L) flew the B-26 until 1958.
The Missouri Air National Guard is headquartered at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, and its commander is currently Major General Stephen L. Danner.
Mission
The mission of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC) is to increase the war fighting effectiveness and survivability of mobility forces. The AATTC is in its third decade of providing advanced tactical training to airlift aircrews from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, United States Marine Corps, and 15 allied nations.
Population Served