Throughout the years, the 107th Air National Guard, Niagara Falls, N.Y., has had a long history of growth and change. The 107th ANG was formed in 1946 as the 107th Fighter Group which was compromised of 14 officers and 100 enlisted members. The F-47 Thunderbolt was the first fighter aircraft assigned to the 107th FG and throughout the years the unit flew and maintained fighters such as the P-51H Mustang, the F-4C/D Phantom and the F-16A Falcon. With the arrival of the KC-135R Strato Tanker in March of 1994, the 107th FG converted to its present mission as an air refueling wing known as the 107th ARW. The wing's primary task is to provide support for worldwide air refueling missions. Secondly, when called upon, the 107th ARW has the capability of using the KC-135R as a cargo and passenger hauler. Members of the 107th ARW have deployed and continue to deploy in support of world contingencies including Operations to include, but not limited to, Strong Resolve, Uphold Democracy, Deny Flight, Decisive Endeavor, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and the Northeast Tanker Task Force.
In addition to its federal mission, the 107th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, has a state mission to provide equipment and personnel as directed by the Governor and Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Most recently, members were called out in October of 2006 to support Operation Empire Response where guardsmen served along side the Army National Guard to assist in clean-up efforts after a devastating storm hit Western New York. Other operations the unit continues to support include Operation Jump Start, securing the national borders, and Operation Empire Shield, guarding New York State's critical assets.
The 107th was officially re-designated the 107th Attack Wing on March 15, 2017. The name change reflects the wing's mission of providing aircrew members and supporting staff trained to operate the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. The wing began transformation and training of crews and personnel in 2014.The 107th is the second New York Air National Guard wing to assume the remotely piloted aircraft mission.
The wing is based at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and is also responsible for the 274th Air Support Operation Squadron at Syracuse, NY and the 222nd Command and Control Squadron in Chantilly, Virginia/Rome, NY.
The 107th ATKW now employs more then 630 individuals who fall under the command of Col. Gary R. Charlton.