By Carl Chance
The United States Air Force’s 184th Intelligence Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, is located at McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas in the heart of the Air Capital of the World. This vital military unit is one of three Air National Guard wings that is a major unit of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency.
In April 2008, the 184th Air Refueling Wing was designated the 184th Intelligence Wing making it the first Intelligence Wing in the Air National Guard. With a transition of a flying mission, the “Flying Jayhawks” were now the “Fighting Jayhawks”.
With all the historical mission changes over the years, the 184th continues to be one of the most forward thinking, diversified Wing’s in the Air National Guard.
The 184th Intelligence Wing has a proud history and a wealth of tradition. The unit was activated to Federal service during WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict. The 184th Intelligence Wing has been honored with four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for exceptionally meritorious service.
Many Missions – One Team:
The 184th Intelligence Wing also encompasses a variety of missions at the state, and community levels assisting Kansas and serving the community.
Intelligence gathering, information protection and threat deterrence is just a portion of what the 184th Intelligence Wing does. The Wing also maintains the largest Munitions Storage area in the ANG, the busiest and largest Weapons range in the ANG, as well as having the ANG’s only Network Operations Security Center within the Wing. Following are the team groups:
184th Intelligence Group (IG)
The184 IG specializes in the exploitation of combat sensors. Teams of analysts fuse multiple sources of data to provide war fighters timely, tailored situational updates on the battlefield, in urban warfare, and in unpredictable environments.
The IG is expanding from the current MQ-1 “Predator” ops into the complex realm of U-2 and RQ-4 “Global Hawk” Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. It provides for both the physical and electronic distribution of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance data and products. Most importantly, the 184 IG enables American and coalition forces to get the information needed to take action and influence events in hours, minutes, or even seconds.
134th Air Control Sq (ACS)
The 134 ACS is tasked to provide a world-wide deployable battle space management platform providing tactical level support of air operations planning and execution. The squadron operates the Modular Control Equipment (MCE) Radar and Link-16 Data link Gateway to provide surveillance and airspace control. Their wide range of communication skills and capabilities are critical to net centric warfare, as well as to the Kansas Air National Guard’s Defense Support to Civilian Authorities (DSCA) mission.
177th Information Aggressor Sq (IAS)
The 177 IAS integrates advanced tactics, training, technologies and tools to provide full-spectrum threat assessments to participating Department of Defense units. This squadron, attached to the 57th Aggressor Wing at Nellis AFB, Nevada, identifies physical and network vulnerabilities and provides solutions through vulnerability assessment visits and red team operations.
284th Air Support Operations Sq (ASOS)
The primary ASOS mission is to provide direct support, utilizing air resources, for Army ground maneuver units. It also provides combat-ready Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) assets for combat maneuver units. The TACP briefs Army commanders on the capabilities and employment of air power, ensures it’s synchronization into the ground commander’s battle plan, and provide terminal attack control for close air support (CAS) missions.
299th Network Operations Security Sq (NOSS)
The NOSS’s high-tech operations provide real-time network security to over 106,000 Air National Guard users at 300 locations. NOSS manages network defense, generates an enterprise situational awareness picture and manages network configuration. It also provides information assurance for all ANG networks, and serves as the network help desk for application and system issues throughout the entire ANG enterprise.
Smoky Hill Weapons Range
Smoky Hill is the largest and busiest ANG bombing range in the nation. The range encompasses 51 square miles of training space with over 100 tactical targets and an electronic warfare range. Located 10 miles west of Salina, KS, Smoky Hill provides realistic combat training for military aircraft and ground forces from all the military services. In addition, it provides unmanned aerial vehicle support for selected users.
184th Munitions Sq (MUNS)
The MUNS rapidly provides war-fighting commanders with aircraft munitions and weapons release equipment to meet worldwide contingencies and conflicts. It’s tasked to receive, inspect, maintain, and deploy Standard Air Munitions Packages, Standard Tanks, Racks, Adapters, and Pylons Packages (STAMP/STRAPP).
127th Command and Control Sq (CACS)
The CACS functions as a component of DoD’s command communication and coordination network. It serves as the backbone for global command and control.
To complete the Group, the 184th Intelligence Wing Support Services provides a myriad of specialized services. The Defense Support to Civilian Authority (DSCA) responds to natural disasters. Finally, Kansas STARBASE teach math and science to elementary-grade students, creating a significant educational impact resulting in positive results within the community.
The 184th Intelligence Wing, Kansas Air National Guard: “Many Missions… One Team”.
Sources: 184th Intelligence Wing
U.S. Air Force