102nd Bomb Squadron
103rd Bomb squadron
106th Tact Recon Squadron
108th Bomb Squadron
110th Tactical Bombardment Squadron
112th Bomb Squadron
114th Bomb Squadron
115th Bomb Squadron
117th Bomb Squadron
122nd Bomb Squadron
131st
Fighter Wing
135th Bomb Squadron
168th Bomb Squadron
180th Bomb Squadron
183rd Tact Recon Squadron
184th Tact Recon Squadron
With the end of the Second World War, America rapidly decreased its military and tens of thousands of pilots
and aircrew suddenly found themselves without a job. For most, this was fine since they wanted to return home and pursue a
family, education, and a job (for example, the AAF went from 2,253,000 personnel to 889,000 and in one year the number of
aircraft went from 63,745 to 34,195). However, some still wanted to fly and many turned to the Air National Guard. Before
the war, the National Guard aviation units were mainly equipped with a variety of rather primitive biplanes operating in the
observation role. After the war, there was a wide variety of warplanes available to equip ANG units - among the selection
was the Invader.
The mission of the newly revitalized ANG was: "To provide a reserve component of the Army
and Army Air Forces capable of expansion to immediate war strength, able to furnish land and air units fit for service anywhere
in the world, training and equipped to: a) defend critical areas of the US against land, seaborne or airborne forces; b) assist
in covering the mobilization and concentration of the remainder of the reserve forces; and c) participate, by unit, in all
types of operations, including offensive, either in the US or overseas."
The combat element was organized into twelve wings which were then divided into 20 fighter groups totaling
62 squadrons, two light bombardment groups comprising four squadrons, and five composite groups with twelve fighter squadrons
and six bombardment squadrons.
In an interesting break-down, each fighter squadron was equipped with 25 mission aircraft and Mustangs would
be assigned to units in the west and midwest while Thunderbolts would go to states in the east and south. Each squadron would
also receive four Invaders modified as target tugs along with two T-6 trainers, one C-47, and two L-5s. The ten light bomb
squadrons each received 20 B-26B/Cs, a C-47 or C-46, two T-6s or AT-11s so these were all very WWII style units.
By the end of 1947, 1965 aircraft had been delivered to the various units but there were delays and in mid-1948,
when the number of federally mandated squadrons had grown to 73, the units had only a bit above 75 percent of their mandated
aircraft. In some ways, these squadrons were almost like a flying country club and a pilot could often show up at the field,
check out an air, craft and go flying. However, these units also had regular military exercises that kept up proficiency and
in gunnery and bombing contests they would often score better than full-time USAF units.
The Invaders practiced formation bombing as well as lowlevel intrusion and strafing. Parts were no problem
and many of the maintenance personnel were WWII veterans so readiness was quite high and the planes were often much better
maintained than their USAF counterparts.
It must be remembered that jets were starting to appear in considerable numbers and older models that the
regular USAF did not want began being transferred to the ANG starting in 1948. By mid-1949, the ANG was organized into twelve
wings, 27 groups, and 84 squadrons with five squadrons of F-80s, 41 squadrons of Mustangs, 26 squadrons of Thunderbolts, and
twelve squadrons of Invaders for a stunning total of 2159 piston-powered aircraft and 104 jets.
With the surprise invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1960, and the regular military's complete lack of readiness,
the ANG was mobilized into federal active duty just five days later and was able to field 1489 piston fighters, 317 Invaders,
306 trainers, 170 transport aircraft, and 373 jet fighters. With the war, many units sped up their transition to jet fighters
but, conversely, at least one unit had their jets taken away and transition back to Mustangs.
By October 1950, 15 squadrons were inducted into active service and a total of 67 ANG squadrons was called
up to perform 21 months of active duty with 51 of these units serving in the US with another three going to South Korea, three
to Japan (for attacks on Korea), six to Europe, and four to Britain.
The units performed very effectively and the experience of pilots and crews proved to be a major factor in
the destruction of vast amounts of enemy personnel and equipment. It must be remembered that the regular USAF at the start
of the Korean War had been cut back to just 48 combat wings so the influx of the 22 ANG wings was a major boost.
After the end of the Korean War, it was obvious that the WWII aircraft would have to be replaced. Jets were
added to many of the fighter units. At the same time, some of the ANG units such as the 183rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
at Hawkins Field in Mississippi received RB-- 26Cs for their assigned mission. By 30 June 1955, the ANG Invader force was
down to 105 R/B-26 aircraft but by 1958 most Invader units had reequipped with aircraft like the Martin B-57 Canberra. Sent
to storage, many of these aircraft would soon have another life as civilian aircraft.
One unit did retain the Invader for a much longer time - the Air National Guard Bureau. Some Invaders were
retained and converted to highly polished VIP (Veeps) transports for highranking officers and officials. The rear fuselage
was fitted out with sound-proofing, seats, and other amenities. In this guise, the VB-- 26B soldiered on until 1972 when the
last example was retired and donated to the National Air and Space Museum.
