07/15/2026
🌮 More than a callsign and more than a nickname.
To the world, we’re known as “The TACOs.” It’s a callsign that began during the Vietnam era as a nod to New Mexico’s rich Hispanic heritage and culture—something New Mexicans proudly carry wherever we go.
From Panama, Kuwait, Turkey, England, and countless missions across the globe, the name “TACOs” has become recognized far beyond our state. Some have even known us as the “Enchilada Air Force.”
But being a TACO is about more than where we’ve been—it’s about where we come from.
The New Mexico Air National Guard is built from the communities we serve. Our Airmen are your neighbors, teachers, electricians, firefighters, law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, and small business owners. Many were born and raised here, and many will spend their lives serving the same communities they swore to protect.
It’s common to work alongside the same teammates for an entire career—and even alongside family members. Through deployments, emergencies, celebrations, and hardships, those relationships become lifelong bonds. That’s what makes our culture different.
The callsign “TACOs” represents our heritage, our traditions, and the people of New Mexico. It’s a name that’s respected around the world—but it’s rooted right here at home. You too, could be a TACO! 🌮
-Sgt Tara Guy
