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  • The Mysterious Fate of William T. “Shorty” Bales, Jr.

    Friday, April 13, 1945. A day after the passing of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Third Reich was collapsing as Allied forces pressed into Germany from the east and west. It seemed like the war in Europe would be over soon, though the fighting continued.

  • The Ukrainian Children’s Airlift of 1992

    Thirty years ago, the 142nd Fighter-Interceptor Group (142nd FIG, now the 142nd Wing) played an important humanitarian role in post-Cold War relations with the former Soviet Union, right after the end of the Cold War. In 1992, the 142nd FIG aided in the safe transport of 111 Ukrainian children and

  • The Dusty Start: The 142nd Wing’s Early SW Asia Experience

    This year marks the 30th anniversary of Operation DESERT STORM, the coalition campaign to forcibly remove Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s military forces from the Kuwait in an impressive air, land and sea effort. The 142nd Wing’s connection to the desert reaches back to this era, and has continued

  • 80 Years of Oregon Air National Guard Veterans and Veterans Days

    This Veteran’s Day, 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of the Oregon Air National Guard being in the ranks of veterans whom we celebrate on November 11 each year. We honor our veterans and their service in defense of our nation, state and community, in peace and in war.

  • Remembering Operation Sky Shield II, October 14-15, 1961

    A series of sleep-interrupting phone calls roused drowsy Guardsmen for a Saturday morning alert at the still-dark hour of 3:38 a.m. The alert was held in connection with the nation-wide air defense exercise, Operation Sky Shield. All commercial flights throughout the country were grounded for most

  • Camp Rosenbaum: A Half Century of Helping

    Camp Rosenbaum, held annually on the Oregon coast, has long held a special place in the hearts of many Oregonians. The camp was founded by Oregon Air National Guard Brigadier General (ret.) Fred Rosenbaum, a holocaust refugee, World War II veteran, former Chairman of the Housing Authority of

  • Air Education and Training in the 1960s

    The 1960’s saw significant growth in the education and training of Oregon’s Airmen. In a way it was fitting, as from its earliest years, Portland Air National Guard Base provided education and training for growing air forces capabilities.

  • About that Shark mouth on the 151 Jet…

    A shark mouth is now painted on the nose of a 123rd Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle fighter, serial number 86-0151, at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon. The nose art honors a former 151 crew chief, Master Sergeant Marty Nance, who passed away in 2018. Shark mouths have been painted on military