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Formed in 1946, the South Carolina Air National Guard consists today of more than 1,500 Airmen who work and drill at McEntire Joint National Guard Base. The 2,400 acre base is located about 12 miles east of Columbia. The primary unit of the SCANG is the 169th Fighter Wing. It is comprised of the 169th Operations Group, which include the 157th Fighter Squadron, 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron and the 316th Fighter Squadron (Active Association), the 169th Maintenance Group, the 169th Mission Support Group and the 169th Medical Group. The 245ATCS provides for the base’s air traffic control services and possesses the ability to perform this service at other fixed bases and remote sites. The mission of the 169FW is to maintain wartime readiness and the ability to mobilize and deploy expeditiously to carry out tactical air missions or combat support activities in the event of a war or military emergency. More specifically, the wing specializes in the Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses. The SCANG operates as part of the Total Force of the U.S. military and is fully integrated with the active-duty Air Force to perform its military mission.