The 148th Fighter Wing is a unit of the United States Air Force (USAF) under the Air National Guard (ANG). It is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Originally established in 1946 as the 148th Fighter Group, it has since undergone several reorganizations to assume its current structure. The wing primarily operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multirole fighter aircraft known for its flexibility and versatility. Its mission encompasses air defense, homeland security, humanitarian relief operations, and combat readiness in support of the USAF. The 148th Fighter Wing is comprised of approximately 2000 personnel and operates several other support units in addition to its fighter squadrons.