Colorado Air National Guard Celebrates 100 Years of Aviation

May 7—From biplanes to F-16s and possibly, one day, F-35s or F-15EXs, the Colorado Air National Guard celebrated 100 years of defending the skies it calls home Sunday.

During a "family day" celebration at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, a silver, World War II era P-51 Mustang in Air National Guard markings parked next to an F-16 in a special, Colorado-themed livery, and an F-35, showing the history and possible future of the 140th Wing.

The placement was no accident. The Colorado Air National Guard flew P-51s after World War II before transitioning to jets during the Cold War and Vietnam War, when it was the first Air National Guard group to be deployed.

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