altogether, 12,456 air national guardsmen participated in air force operations during the persian gulf crisis/first gulf war. when called upon, air national guardsmen were immediately prepared to perform their missions alongside their active air force counterparts. they did not need additional training or new equipment to do their jobs. they were integrated into most of the air force's operational missions, flying strategic airlift and aerial refueling sorties, and manning aerial ports. air national guardsmen also flew fighter, attack, aerial reconnaissance, special operations, and tactical theater airlift missions.