Upon return to Colorado state control, the 140th was re-equipped with Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star jets.
 In 1955 the group's gaining command changed to Air Defense Command and it became the 140th Fighter-Interceptor Group, then the 140th Fighter Group (Air Defense).
 It converted to North American F-86 Sabres in 1958 and to F-86Ls armed with Mighty Mouse rockets and equipped with airborne intercept radar and data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system in 1960.
  The 140th was returned to Tactical Air Command in January 1961 and re-equipped with the North American F-100 Super Sabre supersonic tactical fighter.

On 26 January 1968, the group was federalized and its 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reassigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam.
 120th was released from active duty and returned to Colorado state control on 30 April 1969.

In 1974, the National Guard converted its operational wings to the dual deputy model.
 As a result, the group was inactivated and its squadrons reassigned directly to the wing.
Upon return to Colorado state control, the 140th was re-equipped with Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star jets.  In 1955 the group's gaining command changed to Air Defense Command and it became the 140th Fighter-Interceptor Group, then the 140th Fighter Group (Air Defense).  It converted to North American F-86 Sabres in 1958 and to F-86Ls armed with Mighty Mouse rockets and equipped with airborne intercept radar and data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system in 1960.   The 140th was returned to Tactical Air Command in January 1961 and re-equipped with the North American F-100 Super Sabre supersonic tactical fighter.
On 26 January 1968, the group was federalized and its 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reassigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam.  120th was released from active duty and returned to Colorado state control on 30 April 1969.
In 1974, the National Guard converted its operational wings to the dual deputy model.  As a result, the group was inactivated and its squadrons reassigned directly to the wing.
140th Operations Group