140th Wing F-16 Tail Flash Commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the CONG

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Colorado National Guard, the 140th Wing painted an F-16 tail flash to commemorate this anniversary. The flash was designed by Visual Information Coordinator, U.S Army Master Sgt. Dave Schmidt, and painted by 140th Wing maintainers, Master Sgt. Jim Riser and Technical Sgt. Phil Kistler. The jet will remain painted and flown by 140th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. Trulan A. Eyre, throughout 2010.

Colorado Air National Guard "Firsts"

The Colorado National Guard (CONG) is very proud of its 150-year heritage.

Did you know that the Colorado Air National Guard holds the title as the "First" to accomplish many things in the National Guard and Air Force?

1946 - First federally recognized Air National Guard (ANG) unit.

1956-1959 - First and only ANG aerial demonstration team. The Thunderbirds formed after the Minutemen team disbanded.

1960 - First stand-alone ANG base.

1968-1969 - First ANG unit to mobilize in-tact for Vietnam.

1996 - First National Guard unit (Army or Air) with a Space mission.

2004 - First in the ANG and Air Force to land in Balad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.