page_title: 136th Attack Squadron
section_title: Modern era
hierarchical_section_title: 136th Attack Squadron / History / New York Air National Guard / Modern era
caption_attribution_description: English: BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A C-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard flies over rugged Afghan landscape on its way to delivering much-needed supplies to a forward operating base in Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan, June 22. The New York ANG C-130 flew the airdrop mission in conjunction with another C-130 from the Alaska ANG. Airdrops help mitigate the danger of transporting supplies via convoy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Krista Rose.)
context_page_description: The 136th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard 107th Airlift Wing located at Niagara Falls Joint Air Reserve Station, New York. The 136th is equipped with the MQ-9 Reaper. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command.
context_section_description: With the arrival of the KC-135R Stratotanker in March 1994, the 136th Fighter Squadron converted from an air defense mission to aerial refueling and was redesignated as the 136th Air Refueling Squadron.  The 136th provided support for worldwide air refueling missions. When called upon, the 136th also used the KC-135R as a cargo and passenger transport.
  In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing world situations, began experimenting with Air Expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was developed that would mix Active-Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force. Instead of entire permanent units deploying as "Provisional" as in the 1991 Gulf War, expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings, including active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation.
  Since 1996, the 136th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, with the 136th being the major force provider, was formed and deployed in support of world contingencies including Operations to include, but not limited to, Strong Resolve 2002, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Decisive Endeavor, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Northeast Tanker Task Force.
  In November 2007, the 107th was notified that it would become an airlift unit. This was directed by the Base Realignment and Closure of 2005.  It became an associate unit to the Air Force Reserve Command 914th Airlift Wing, already based at Niagara Falls.  The 914th has had responsibility for the C-130H2 Hercules aircraft used by the 136th, and airmen from both units jointly operate them.  With this change, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station received additional C-130 aircraft from the Tennessee Air National Guard's 118th Airlift Wing in Nashville. Tennessee.   The 136th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
  During Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012, members of the unit deployed to New York City and Long Island to assist in recovery operations.  The unit was deployed first to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh and then traveled to Peekskill, which is in Westchester County.  As part of the recovery effort, unit members performed road clearing, traffic control, helping displaced personnel with feeding and getting them back in their housing and getting them out of flood-stricken areas.
  It was announced in early 2012 that federal budget reductions would affect the mission of the 107th Airlift Wing.  The future of the unit is presently being discussed by New York representatives and the Air Force.
caption: A C-130 Hercules from the 136th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron seen flying over Afghanistan
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