Welcome to the official World Wide Web site of the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing . This site is provided as a public service through the cooperative efforts of the 172AW and the Air National Guard Public Affairs.

Mission: To constantly improve our combat capability to defend our nation and support our state.

Vision: To always be the most responsive, most resourceful, and most respected airlift wing on the planet.

The mission of the Mississippi Air National Guard is to organize, train and equip members to serve the vital interests of our community, state and nation by:

• Supporting U.S. National Security Objectives - our Federal role
• Protecting life and property, and preserving peace, order and public safety - our State role
• Participating in local, state, and national programs that add value to America - our Community role

When Air National Guard units are not mobilized or under federal control, they report to the governor of their respective state, territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) or the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. Each of the 54 National Guard organizations is supervised by the adjutant general of the state or territory. Under state law, the Air National Guard provides protection of life, property and preserves peace, order and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and forest fires; search and rescue operations; support to civil defense authorities; maintenance of vital public services and counterdrug operations.

The Air National Guard's federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...in air, space and cyberspace.

To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision:

The United States Air Force will be a trusted and reliable joint partner with our sister services known for integrity in all of our activities, including supporting the joint mission first and foremost. We will provide compelling air, space, and cyber capabilities for use by the combatant commanders. We will excel as stewards of all Air Force resources in service to the American people, while providing precise and reliable Global Vigilance, Reach and Power for the nation.

The Air Force has three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible:

Air and Space Superiority: With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.

Global Attack: Because of technological advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater precision than ever before.

Rapid Global Mobility: Being able to respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility.

Precision Engagement: The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.

Information Superiority: The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.

Agile Combat Support: Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

The Department of the Air Force is headquartered in the Pentagon, Washington D.C. The service is organized in nine major commands throughout the world which provide combat aircraft, airlift, refueling, reconnaissance and other support to the Unified Combatant Commands.

The Air Force also has more than three dozen field operating agencies and direct reporting units which directly support the mission by providing unique services.

Together with Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard forces, the United States Air Force is the best in the world.

The Secretary of the Air Force is Deborah Lee James, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is Gen. David L. Goldfein, the Vice Chief of Staff is Gen.Stephen W. Wilson, and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is CMSAF James A. Cody.

The Air Force has three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations.

These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible: 

--Air and Space Superiority: With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space 
--Global Attack: technological advances enable the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime and do so quickly and with great precision 
--Rapid Global Mobility: respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility. 
--Information Superiority: The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial. 
--Precision Engagement: The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future      contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage. 
--Agile Combat Support: Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to    all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces. 

The Air Force bases these core competencies and distinctive capabilities on a shared commitment to three core values -- 

SERVICE BEFORE SELF - INTEGRITY FIRST- EXCELLENCE IN ALL WE DO!