The modern New Jersey Air National Guard received federal recognition on Feb. 9, 1947 as the 119th Fighter Squadron at Newark Airport. It was equipped with the F-51D Mustang and its mission was the air defense of the state.

Sept. 18, 1947 is considered the New Jersey Air National Guard's official birth concurrent with the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate branch of the United States military under the National Security Act.

Today, the New Jersey Air National Guard's Headquarters is located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Headquarters oversees the nearly 2,300 Airmen that make up the NJANG.

The 108th Wing “Tigers” is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard, stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.  If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the U.S. Air Force's Air Mobility Command.

The 108th traces its origins to the 348th Fighter Group, which was re-designated as the 108th Fighter Group and allotted to the New Jersey National Guard on May 24, 1946.

The 108th’s principal mission is mid-air refueling. The 141st Air Refueling Squadron supports Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied fighter, reconnaissance, and cargo aircraft. The 141st is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

In addition to their air refueling mission, the 108th also hosts the 204th Intelligence Squadron and the 140th Cyber Operations Squadron.

108th Wing Airmen have deployed in support of Operation Restore Hope, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Sea Signal, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve as well as Pacific Air Forces Theater Security Package deployments to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The 108th Wing flies the KC-135R Stratotanker.

The 177th Fighter Wing "Jersey Devils" is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard, stationed at Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, N.J. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command.

The 119th Fighter Squadron, assigned to the 177th Operations Group, traces its origins to the 5th Aviation School Squadron, which was established on June 5, 1917. It was reformed on Jan. 30, 1930 as the 119th Observation Squadron, and is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.

The 177th Fighter Wing also hosts the 227th Air Support Operations Squadron, as well as Warren Grove Gunnery Range. 

177th Airmen have deployed in support of Operation Commando Sabre, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Northern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Inherent Resolve.

The 177th Fighter Wing flies the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon.