 F-51D Mustangs were assigned to the Fighter Squadrons, and the mission of the unit was the air defense of Texas.In mid-1950 the Texas Air National Guard received its first jet aircraft, when a few F-84B Thunderjets were assigned to the 181st Fighter Squadron in June.As a result of the Korean War, the Texas Air National Guard was federalized and placed on active duty status on 10 October 1950, being assigned to Ninth Air Force, Tactical Air Command (TAC).