Iowa Air National Guard’s 133rd Test Squadron marks 75 years in Fort Dodge

  • Published
  • By Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot
  • 185th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Fort Dodge, Iowa --  

In celebration of the 133rd Test Squadron’s 75th anniversary, Fort Dodge community members are invited to attend an open house event at the Iowa Air National Guard unit on September 16, 2023, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM at the Fort Dodge Airport, 1649 Nelson Ave.

During the event, community members can tour a variety of displays including Tactical Radar equipment used by the unit. Food vendors will be onsite and there will be a variety of kid friendly activities.

A formal ceremony will be held at 1:00PM when Iowa Adjutant General-Major General Stephen Osborn is scheduled to speak.
The 133rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was established on June 1st of 1948 and was Headquartered at Eno Airport in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The unit initially had two detachments one in Sibley, Iowa and the other in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Like many reserve units at the time, the 133rd began with cast-off radar communications equipment after the 2nd World War.

A few years after their formation the squadron was activated in 1951 as part of a massive call-up for the Korean War. After the mobilization, in November of 1953, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 133rd Aircraft Control and Warning Flight. The remaining detachment was brought to Fort Dodge 1959 when the Cedar Rapids group was moved following the completion of the Armory building.

In 1971 the unit converted to a Tactical Control Squadron, then converted again to a Forward Air Control Flight in 1976. In 1989 they changed back to a Tactical Control Squadron. In 2002 the unit changed to its current mission as a “one-of-a-kind" Test Squadron.

Over the past two decades the unit has deployed around the globe in support of the U.S. Department of Defense activities where they performed their war time mission.

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the 185th Air Refueling Wing, the Iowa Air National Guard, the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense of the external website, or information, products, or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Services/Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Air Force does not exercise editorial control over the information users may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the website.