Hancock HQ to be renamed for general

The headquarters of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing is being renamed in honor of a World War II veteran who commanded the unit for nearly 20 years.

The 174th was an outgrowth of the 138th Tactical Fighter Squadron. For 60 years 174th and 138th operated fighter jets, beginning with the F- 84 Thunderjet, but that ended in 2010.

In 2009, the wing opened the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft maintenance school and began training drone technicians for all branches of the military.

Its mission is to provide qualified airmen and weapon systems engaging in global air, space and cyberspace operations; supporting homeland defense, joint operations and aid to civil authorities at the direction of the governor.

A ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon to rename the wing’s HQ building after the late Brig. Gen. Curtis J. Irwin. The 174th is based at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, just north of Syracuse.

Irwin commanded the 174th from1958 to 1973 and again from 1975 to 1977.

Born and raised in the Syracuse area, Irwin was a decorated fighter pilot for the Army Air Corps during WWII, flying P-47 Thunderbolts in the Pacific Theater.

Irwin retired in 1978 after more than 35 years of military service. He died in 2011 at age 88. Read other stories involving the military: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/Military

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOS An Air Force MQ-9A Reaper taxis in preparation for a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The MQ-9A’s primary mission is a hunter-killer against emerging targets.

SSGT JAMES N. FASO II — USAF U.S. Air Force General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper of the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse in April 2009.

The F-84 Thunderjet was the first jet aircraft flown by the 138th and 174th.