The North Dakota Air National Guard's (NDANG) 119th Wing boasts an
illustrious 60-year history of flying fighters. The NDANG can trace its
roots back to the 392nd Fighter Squadron, which fell under the 367th
Fighter Group. Many of its charter members began their careers in the
Army Air Corps during World War II and brought their expertise and
experience to their home station unit in Fargo, North Dakota. People
like Alexander Macdonald had a hand in nearly every success from 1950
through the F-16 years as a pilot, commander, adjutant general, and then
as a civilian advocate. Duane "Pappy" Larson is credited with being the
namesake for the unit nickname "The Happy Hooligans." The 119th unit's
history is a story about the people who achieved unprecedented
accomplishments within the Air National Guard and, sometimes, even among
the active duty US Air Force.