The division provided air defense of the Panama Canal, controlling fighter aircraft rotated through Howard Air Force Base.
 Initially, these were LTV A-7 Corsair IIs rotating from units of Tactical Air Command, but in January 1978, the responsibility for providing these planes shifted to the Air National Guard under Operation Coronet Cove.
 The National Guard also deployed Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIs after 1985.
 In 1990, the A-7s were replaced by McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft also rotated to Panama for airlift support in the region.
 When the division activated, these aircraft were provided by active units of Military Airlift Command, in Operation Volant Oak.
In October 1977, this mission was also transferred to the Guard, along with units of the Air Force Reserve.
 Since 1975, USAF airlift management had been centralized with Military Airlift Command (MAC), which had established the 1300th Military Airlift Squadron at Howard in March 1975.
 After October 1984, the division provided support to the 61st Military Airlift Group, whose 310th Military Airlift Squadron replaced the 1300th Military Airlift Squadron and operated several types of aircraft, including the Volant Oak Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the  Alenia C-27 Spartan STOL aircraft.
The division provided air defense of the Panama Canal, controlling fighter aircraft rotated through Howard Air Force Base.  Initially, these were LTV A-7 Corsair IIs rotating from units of Tactical Air Command, but in January 1978, the responsibility for providing these planes shifted to the Air National Guard under Operation Coronet Cove.  The National Guard also deployed Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIs after 1985.  In 1990, the A-7s were replaced by McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagles and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft also rotated to Panama for airlift support in the region.  When the division activated, these aircraft were provided by active units of Military Airlift Command, in Operation Volant Oak. In October 1977, this mission was also transferred to the Guard, along with units of the Air Force Reserve.  Since 1975, USAF airlift management had been centralized with Military Airlift Command (MAC), which had established the 1300th Military Airlift Squadron at Howard in March 1975.  After October 1984, the division provided support to the 61st Military Airlift Group, whose 310th Military Airlift Squadron replaced the 1300th Military Airlift Squadron and operated several types of aircraft, including the Volant Oak Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the  Alenia C-27 Spartan STOL aircraft.
Air Forces Panama