State Partnership Program

Video by Master Sgt. Eric Miller

Brig. Gen. Curtis Irwin 174th Building Dedication

174th Attack Wing

Oct. 1, 2015 | 7:50

The 174th Attack Wing named its headquarters building in honor of the late Brig. Gen. Curtis J. Irwin, a World War II pilot who commanded the wing from 1958 to 1973 and again from 1975 to 1977, during a ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 4.

Irwin, who died in 2011, helped organize the 138th Fighter Squadron - the first element in the New York Air National Guard and the ancestor of the 174th Attack Wing - and went on to lead the unit through a deployment to German during the Berlin crisis of 1960.

Born, raised, and educated in the Syracuse area, Irwin was a combat veteran having flown as a fighter pilot for the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Irwin began his military service in August 1942 and entered pilot training the following March. After winning his wings and commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps in May 1944, he served in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a fighter pilot flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. During this time, he participated in the China Offensive, Western Pacific, Air Offensive of Japan and the Ryukyus Islands campaigns. As result, Irwin was awarded with the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster and four battle stars for his wartime service.

After the war, Irwin assisted in organizing the 138th Fighter Squadron which later became the 174th Fighter wing and is now known as the 174th Attack Wing. The 138th was the first Air National Guard flying unit in New York State.

Irwin is credited with directing the unit's successful conversation to jet aircraft in 1950 helping it to become the first unit in New York State to operate jet aircraft.

During the Berlin Crisis in 1961, the 174th was activated and within 30 days all personnel, planes and equipment were deployed to Phalsbourg Air Base in France. This was the largest movement of jet fighter aircraft in Europe since World War II. Irwin led his unit's planes and crews island hopping across the northern Atlantic route via Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and on to the mainland of Europe. The unit was again called up during the Pueblo Crisis and was deployed to Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Completing over 35 years of military service, Irwin was promoted to brigadier general and retired in 1978.
Irwin was also an active member in the local community serving on several boards, including North Syracuse Cemetery. He organized a program of community education for planning and zoning actions compatible with aviation growth. Honors include Thompson Road through Hancock Air Base being named "General Curtis Irwin Parkway"; being awarded the Governor's Trophy in 1960, 1973 and 1976; receiving the first Department of Defense Award for Domestic Action in 1971; and being named to the North Syracuse School District Wall of Distinction in 1990.

Irwin died on Oct. 5, 2011, at age 88.

(U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Eric Miller/Released)