132nd Wing
A multi-mission Iowa Air National Guard wing operating remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber, training, and support capabilities.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The 132nd Wing is an Iowa Air National Guard unit headquartered at Des Moines Air National Guard Base in Iowa. Although widely known for most of its postwar history as the 132nd Fighter Wing, it is now a multi-mission organization whose principal capabilities include remotely piloted aircraft operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyberspace operations, distributed training, and conventional wing support. Its history reflects the changing structure and priorities of the United States Air Force and Air National Guard: the organization began as a fighter formation during the early Cold War, moved through a succession of propeller-driven and jet aircraft, conducted air-defense and tactical-fighter missions, deployed personnel for overseas operations, and later transitioned away from manned combat aircraft. The wing was organized on 1 October 1950 as part of the Air National Guard’s adoption of the wing-base organizational structure. Its headquarters brought together the 132nd Fighter Group and associated air-base, maintenance and supply, and medical organizations. During the Korean War, the wing was federalized and sent first to Dow Air Force Base in Maine and later to Alexandria Air Force Base in Louisiana. It trained replacement pilots in F-51D Mustang ground-support operations, while some of its personnel also served in Japan and Korea. After returning to Iowa in January 1953, it resumed peacetime training and successively operated the F-80C Shooting Star, F-84E Thunderjet, F-86L Sabre, F-89J Scorpion, F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100D Super Sabre, A-7D Corsair II, and F-16C Fighting Falcon. The F-16 era included a substantial overseas operational commitment. From 1998 through 2004, the wing made six contingency deployments supporting the no-fly-zone missions over Iraq under Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, its F-16 personnel maintained heightened readiness for homeland defense and supported combat air patrols associated with presidential visits. In 2005, the wing deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Its medical personnel also provided disaster-response assistance after Hurricane Katrina. A fundamental mission transformation began in fiscal year 2013. The wing’s F-16s were removed from Des Moines, and the final regularly scheduled F-16 flights took place in August 2013. The aircraft were transferred to the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing. Rather than receiving the initially discussed A-10 mission, the Iowa organization was reshaped around remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, and cyber capabilities. The 124th Attack Squadron operates MQ-9 Reapers, while the 132nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group conducts analytical work supporting operational planning and targeting. The 168th Cyberspace Operations Squadron focuses on network and systems defense. The wing also hosts the Distributed Training Operations Center, which supports distributed mission exercises involving Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, other U.S. military services, and allied participants. The organization was formally redesignated the 132nd Wing in March 2015, reflecting its broader mission set. Its present structure includes operations, intelligence, mission support, medical, communications, security, force-support, civil-engineering, logistics, and cyber elements. The wing remains part of the Iowa Air National Guard and performs both domestic and overseas missions under the broader command relationships of the Air Force.
History
The 132nd Wing’s lineage begins with the postwar reorganization of the Iowa Air National Guard. On 1 October 1950, the 132nd Fighter Wing was organized under the wing-base system, combining the tactical fighter group with air-base, maintenance and supply, and medical support organizations. It was federally recognized on 1 November 1950. During the Korean War, the wing entered federal service on 1 April 1951, was redesignated the 132nd Fighter-Bomber Wing in June, and moved to Dow Air Force Base, Maine. Under Tactical Air Command, it trained replacement pilots for F-51D Mustang ground-support operations. Members of the organization also served in Japan and Korea, where some flew combat missions. In November 1952 the wing moved to Alexandria Air Force Base, Louisiana, replacing the federalized Oklahoma Air National Guard 137th Fighter-Bomber Wing. It returned to Iowa control in January 1953. Back at Des Moines, the wing resumed peacetime training and entered the jet age. It operated F-80C Shooting Star fighter-bombers before receiving F-84E Thunderjets in 1955. In the mid-1950s its designation and role changed again, first to fighter-interceptor and then to air-defense operations. In 1958 it transferred to Air Defense Command and flew all-weather F-86L Sabre interceptors. The remaining Des Moines-based 124th Fighter Squadron later received F-89J Scorpion interceptors, which it operated until 1969. Other Iowa fighter elements were reassigned as they became group-level organizations or joined other tactical formations. The wing returned to the Tactical Air Command sphere in 1969. It operated F-84F Thunderstreaks, then F-100D Super Sabres beginning in the early 1970s. In 1976 it began receiving A-7D Corsair II ground-attack aircraft, part of the Air National Guard’s modernization with more capable frontline aircraft after the Vietnam-era drawdown of the regular Air Force. The organization’s lineage was consolidated with that of the 132nd Air Defense Wing in 1987. In 1990 it upgraded to Block 42 F-16C Fighting Falcons, bringing it into the modern multirole fighter era. From 1998 to 2004, the wing completed six overseas contingency deployments supporting the no-fly-zone missions over Iraq in Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch. The tempo included two deployments within a ten-month period. Following the September 11 attacks, the wing placed F-16 aircraft, pilots, and maintenance personnel on heightened alert for homeland defense. It also supported continuous combat air patrols during presidential visits. In 2005, the wing deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The deployment generated an unusually high flying workload in a compressed period. The wing’s medical personnel also responded domestically after Hurricane Katrina, treating storm-affected patients alongside personnel from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing. The most consequential transformation occurred in 2013. Congressional decisions removed the wing’s F-16 fighter mission from Des Moines. The aircraft were transferred to the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing, with the final regularly scheduled flights occurring in August. An A-10 mission was considered, but Iowa officials successfully advocated for a broader combination of remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber capabilities. The 124th Attack Squadron consequently became associated with MQ-9 Reaper operations, while the wing developed intelligence and cyberspace organizations. The Distributed Training Operations Center added a specialized capability for networked exercises and distributed mission operations. The organization was redesignated the 132nd Wing on 7 March 2015. Today it includes the 132nd Operations Group, 132nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, 132nd Mission Support Group, 132nd Medical Group, 168th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, and supporting units. Its MQ-9 crews operate from Des Moines in support of missions around the world, while intelligence personnel provide analysis for operational planning and targeting. The wing’s current identity is therefore not that of a conventional fighter formation, but of a flexible Air National Guard organization combining remotely piloted aviation, information capabilities, cyber operations, training, and deployable support.
- 2015
Redesignated 132nd Wing
[1]The organization dropped the Fighter designation on 7 March to reflect its expanded mission portfolio.
- 2013
F-16 mission ended
[1]The last regularly scheduled F-16 flights occurred in August, followed by the transition to remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, and cyber missions.
- 2005
Deployed to Qatar
[1]The wing deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
- 1998
Started Iraq no-fly-zone deployments
[1]The wing began a series of overseas contingency deployments supporting Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch.
- 1990
Transitioned to F-16C Fighting Falcons
[1]The wing upgraded to Block 42 F-16C aircraft.
- 1987
Lineage consolidated
[1]The 132nd Air Defense Wing and 132nd Tactical Fighter Wing lineages were consolidated.
- 1976
Received A-7D Corsair IIs
[1]The wing began receiving A-7D ground-attack aircraft as part of Air National Guard modernization.
- 1969
Returned to tactical-fighter operations
[1]The wing moved back into the Tactical Air Command structure and began operating F-84F Thunderstreaks.
- 1958
Began air-defense interceptor mission
[1]The unit transferred to Air Defense Command and adopted the all-weather F-86L Sabre interceptor mission.
- 1953
Returned to Iowa control
[1]The wing was released from federal service and resumed Iowa Air National Guard operations at Des Moines.
Products and positioning
A state-based Air National Guard wing providing expeditionary airpower, remotely piloted aircraft operations, intelligence analysis, cyber defense, distributed training, and military support capabilities.
Remotely piloted aircraft · 2013
MQ-9 Reaper
The 124th Attack Squadron operates the MQ-9 Reaper in the wing’s principal aviation mission. Aircrews based at Des Moines conduct remotely piloted missions that provide persistent full-motion video, intelligence collection, and flexible strike support to combatant commanders in geographically distant operations.
Multirole fighter aircraft · 1990
F-16C Fighting Falcon
The F-16C was the wing’s final manned fighter platform. Block 42 aircraft arrived around 1990 and supported homeland-defense readiness, overseas no-fly-zone operations, and expeditionary missions before leaving Des Moines in 2013.
Military training capability
Distributed Training Operations Center
The center supports distributed mission operations by linking Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve participants with other U.S. military services and allied forces. Its simulation environment can also incorporate aircraft and other non-virtual assets into exercises.
Intelligence capability
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance analysis
The 132nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group researches and analyzes intelligence for operational planning and targeting. Its personnel assess target-system strengths and weaknesses and provide information used by military planners and weapons specialists.
Cybersecurity capability
Cyberspace operations
The 168th Cyberspace Operations Squadron analyzes and protects networks and systems by identifying vulnerabilities and implementing defensive solutions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2005Qatar expeditionary deployment
Qatar · Afghanistan · Iraq
Wing personnel deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The unit flew more than three-quarters of a normal annual allocation within 52 days of contingency operations.
- 2005Hurricane Katrina medical response
United States
Members of the 132nd Medical Group joined personnel from the 185th Air Refueling Wing to provide medical assistance after Hurricane Katrina.
Outcome. The team treated approximately 80 to 100 patients per day for storm-related and routine medical conditions.
- 2001Post-September 11 homeland defense
United States
The wing placed F-16 aircraft, pilots, and maintenance personnel on heightened alert and supported combat air patrols during presidential visits.
Outcome. The wing maintained a rapid-response fighter posture during the post-attack period.
- 1998Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch
Iraq · Middle East
The wing conducted six overseas contingency deployments between 1998 and 2004 to patrol the no-fly zones over Iraq.
Outcome. The deployments demonstrated a sustained expeditionary commitment and high operational readiness.
- 1951Korean War federalization
United States · Korean Peninsula
The wing entered federal service, trained replacement pilots in F-51D ground-support operations, and provided personnel for missions in Japan and Korea.
Outcome. The wing remained in federal service until January 1953, then returned to Iowa control.
Brand decisions
2015
Adoption of the 132nd Wing designationStrategyBackground
The organization’s mission portfolio had expanded beyond fighter aviation.
Action taken
The designation was changed from 132nd Fighter Wing to 132nd Wing on 7 March 2015.
Aftermath
The name more accurately represented the wing’s remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, cyber, training, and support responsibilities.
2013
Transition from manned fighters to a multi-mission wingStrategyBackground
Congressional actions removed the wing’s F-16 fighter mission from Des Moines. An A-10 transition was discussed, while Iowa officials advocated for remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and cyber capabilities.
Action taken
The wing transferred its 21 F-16s to the New Jersey Air National Guard and reorganized around MQ-9 operations, intelligence, cyber, and distributed training.
Aftermath
The organization became a broader information-and-remotely-piloted-aircraft unit and was redesignated the 132nd Wing in 2015.
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