Check Six – 1946: 199th Fighter Squadron Extended Federal Recognition

The Hawai‘i National Guard was re-established following the end of World War 11 by Governor Ingram M. Stainback‘s Executive Order of August 3, 1946. The Governor formally accepted National Guard troop units and strength the following day as recommended by the new Adjutant General, Brigadier General Fred W. Makinney. Among these were four Army Air Force units with an aggregate authorized strength of 353 personnel: 

199th Fighter Squadron (SE)

199th Utility Flight

Detachment C, 199th Air Service Group (Ftr)

199th Weather Station (Type A)

These Army Air Force units, new to the Hawaii National Guard, were organized 10 September 1946 by Military Department, Territory of Hawai‘i, General Order No. 4, with temporary station at the Honolulu Armory.

By the end of October sufficient personnel had been recruited to meet the minimum requirements for federal recognition. Seventy-four personnel were on the rolls and in the ranks when the units were inspected at 1930 hours, November 4, 1946, by an Army Air Force Inspection Team from Hickam Field. 

General Order 1, 1947 announced Federal Recognition retroactive to November 4, 1946.

The certificate above is a National Guard Bureau certificate announcing Federal Recognition under the authority of the Secretary of War.

The Secretary of War is referenced because the Secretary of Defense position was authorized in the National Security Act of 1947. The 199th Fighter Squadron is recognized because the then Army Air Force, and later the Air Force centered around flying squadrons. The Air Force reorganized into groups and wings in the late 1950s. The 154th Fighter Group was organized and recognized on December 1, 1960

The Air National Guard was officially established in law as a separate reserve component on September 18, 1947, concurrent with the establishment of the U.S. Air Force. However, National Guard aviation emerged before World War I with aviation units in Army National Guard organizations. Hawai‘i Air Guard did not have aviation roots in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard.