The 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 171st ARW, and is located at the John P. Murtha Cambria County Airport in Johnstown Pennsylvania. Although the 258th only has 80 members, its mission is integral to the successful and safe operations of USAF, DOD, and allied aircraft at CONUS and OCONUS airfields.

Established as the 114th Tactical Control Flight (TCF) in May 1982, it received its present day mission in October 1985 as the 114th Air Traffic Control Flight. Effective 17 May 1997, the unit was re-designated the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron. The following September, the 258th relocated from State College PA to Johnstown PA. Recently, the unit changed realignment from the 193rd SOW in Harrisburg to the 171st ARW at Pittsburgh.

In 1992, the 258th was selected as not only the first in the Air National Guard, but the first in the entire United States Air Force to deploy an MPN-14K in support of drug interdiction- labeling the 258th a leader among sister units. For their successful efforts, the 258th was named the Combat Communications Unit of the year. The following year, the 258th was named the Air National Guard Air Traffic Control unit of the year. The same year during an ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection) the 258th was benchmarked for regenerating (Setting up, Operating and passing flight check) the MPN14-K faster than any other Air Force unit, again setting the standard for other units to follow.

Over the years unit personnel have deployed to many US states and abroad to include: Germany, Italy Denmark, Portugal, South Korea, the Bahamas, Columbia, Hungary, Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Tunisia, Cyprus, Bosnia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Uzbekistan.

If you’re interested in a tour, or have any questions about the 258th ATCS or the Air National Guard and the benefits of being a member, please contact our Recruiting Office at: 412-776-7636.