The United States Air Force organized its first air refueling squadrons in 1948. In 1955, Strategic Air Command (SAC) organized the first wing to command air refueling units at Dow Air Force Base, Maine. Since then, air refueling wings have been organized by Tactical Air Command (TAC), Military Airlift Command (MAC), United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and Air Mobility Command (AMC). Additional wings have been organized in the Air National Guard (ANG) and the Air Reserves (AFRES).[note 1]
Background
Prior to 1991, some refueling wings' full designations also included an additional parenthetical. They included:
- Air Refueling Wing, Heavy: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
- Air Refueling Wing, Medium: Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter, Boeing KB-29 Superfortress, Boeing KB-50 Superfortress
- Air Refueling Wing, Tactical: Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter, Boeing KB-29 Superfortress, Boeing KB-50 Superfortress
- Air Refueling Wing, Fighter-Bomber: Boeing KB-29 Superfortress
- Air Refueling Wing (Training): Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter
Air refueling squadrons were also assigned to other types of wings, most frequently to bombardment wings, but also to strategic wings, strategic aerospace wings, strategic fighter wings, fighter-bomber wings, tactical reconnaissance wings, or (generic) wings.
List of wings
| Wing | Dates active | Station | Previous designation | Subsequent designation | Command of assignment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1996 – 1 January 2001, 30 September 2019 – present |
MacDill AFB | 6th Air Base Wing, 6th Air Mobility Wing |
active | AMC | [1] |
| 11th Air Refueling Wing | 2 July 1968 – 25 May 1969 | Altus AFB | 11th Bombardment Wing | 11th Strategic Group | SAC | [2] |
| 19th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1983 – 1 July 1996 | Robins AFB | 19th Bombardment Wing | 19th Airlift Wing | SAC, AMC | [3] |
| 22nd Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1982 – present | March AFB McConnell AFB |
22nd Bombardment Wing | active | SAC, AMC | [4] |
| 43rd Air Refueling Wing | 1 June 1992 – 1 July 1994 | Malmstrom AFB | 43rd Bombardment Wing | 43rd Air Refueling Group | AMC | |
| 68th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1986 – 22 April 1991 | Seymour Johnson AFB | 68th Bombardment Wing | 68th Electronic Combat Group | SAC | [5] |
| 92nd Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1994 – present | Fairchild AFB | 92nd Bomb Wing | active | AMC | [6] |
| 100th Air Refueling Wing | 30 September 1976 – 15 March 1983 1 February 1992 – present |
Beale AFB, RAF Mildenhall |
100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 100th Air Division |
active | SAC, USAFE | [7] |
| 101st Air Refueling Wing | 1 April 1976 – present | Bangor IAP | 101st Fighter-Interceptor Wing | active | ANG | |
| 106th Air Refueling Wing | c. September 1969 – 1 December 1972 | Floyd Bennett Field Suffolk County Airport |
none | none | ANG | [note 2] |
| 107th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – c. 1 July 2008 | Niagara Falls IAP | 107th Air Refueling Group | 107th Airift Wing | ANG | |
| 108th Air Refueling Wing | 19 October 1991 – c. 1 December 2009 | McGuire AFB | 108th Tactical Fighter Wing | 108th Wing | ANG | |
| 117th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1994 – present | Sumpter Smith ANGB | 117th Reconnaissance Wing | active | ANG | |
| 121st Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 January 1993 – present | Rickenbacker ANGB | 121st Fighter Wing | active | ANG | |
| 126th Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1961 – present | O'Hare IAP Scott AFB |
126th Air Defense Wing | active | ANG | |
| 128th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Billy Mitchell Field | 128th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 134th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | McGhee-Tyson Airport | 134th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 136th Air Refueling Wing | c. 1 October 1964 – 8 April 1978 | Hensley Field | 136th Air Defense Wing | 136th Tactical Airlift Wing | ANG | |
| 137th Air Refueling Wing | c. 1 October 2008 – 1 October 2015 | Will Rogers World Airport | 137th Airlift Wing | 137th Special Operations Wing | ANG | |
| 141st Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1976 – present | Fairchild AFB | none | active | ANG | |
| 151st Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Utah ANGB | 151st Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 155th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Nebraska ANGB | 155th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 157th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Pease ANGB | 157th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 161st Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport | 161st Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 163d Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – c. 20 November 2007 | March ARB | 163rd Air Refueling Group | 163rd Reconnaissance Wing | ANG | |
| 168th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Eielson AFB | 168th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 171st Air Refueling Wing | 4 October 1972 – present | Greater Pittsburgh IAP | none | active | ANG | [note 3] |
| 184th Air Refueling Wing | 14 August 2002 – c. 1 April 2008 | McConnell AFB | 184th Bombardment Wing | 184th Intelligence wing | ANG | |
| 185th Air Refueling Wing | 1 June 2003 – present | Colonel Bud Day Field | 185th Fighter Group | active | ANG | |
| 186th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Key Field | 186th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 190th Air Refueling Wing | c. 16 October 1995 – present | Forbes Field | 190th Air Refueling Group | active | ANG | |
| 301st Air Refueling Wing | 15 June 1964 – 30 September 1979 5 January 1988 – 1 June 1992 |
Rickenbacker AFB Malmstrom AFB |
301st Bombardment Wing | [note 4] | SAC | [8] |
| 305th Air Refueling Wing | 1 January 1970 – 1 October 1994 | Grissom AFB | 305th Bombardment Wing | 305th Air Mobility Wing | SAC, AMC | [9] |
| 319th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1993 – 1 March 2011 | Grand Forks AFB | 319th Bomb Wing | 319th Air Base Wing | AMC | [10] |
| 334th Air Refueling Wing | not active as a refueling wing | 334th Bombardment Group | 334th Air Expeditionary Group | [11][12] | ||
| 336th Air Refueling Wing | not active as a refueling wing | 336th Bombardment Group | 336th Crew Training Group[note 5] | [13] | ||
| 340th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1984 – 1 October 1992 | Altus AFB | 340th Bombardment Wing | 340th Flying Training Group | SAC, AMC | [14] |
| 380th Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1992 – 30 September 1995 | Plattsburgh AFB | 380th Bombardment Wing | 380th Air Expeditionary Wing | SAC, AMC | |
| 384th Air Refueling Wing | 15 November 1972 – 1 July 1987 | McConnell AFB | 384th Bombardment Wing | 384th Bombardment Wing | SAC | [15] |
| 434th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1994 – present | Grissom ARB | 434th Wing | active | AFRES | [16] |
| 452d Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1976 – 1 May 1994 | March ARB | 452nd Tactical Airlift Wing | 452nd Air Mobility Wing | AFRES | [17] |
| 459th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 2003 – present | JB Andrews | 459th Airlift Wing | active | AFRES | [18] |
| 497th Air Refueling Wing | 1 January 1963 – 15 September 1964 | Plattsburgh AFB | none[note 6] | none[note 7] | SAC | [19] |
| 499th Air Refueling Wing | 1 January 1963 – 25 June 1966 | Westover AFB | none[note 8] | none[note 9] | SAC | [20] |
| 500th Air Refueling Wing | 1 January 1963 – 15 December 1964 | Selfridge AFB | none[note 10] | none[note 11] | SAC | [21] |
| 722nd Air Refueling Wing | 1 January 1994-1 April 1996 | March ARB | none[note 12] | none | AMC | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 802nd | c. 10 August 1990 – c. 10 April 1991 | Southwest Asia | none | none | SAC | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 804th | c. 1 September 1990 – c. 12 April 1991 | Incirlik AB | none | none | SAC | |
| 914th Air Refueling Wing | 1 June 2017 – present | Niagara Falls IAP | 914th Airlift Wing | active | AFRES | [22] |
| 916th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1994 – present | Seymour Johnson AFB | 916th Air Refueling Group | active | AFRES | [23] |
| 927th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1994 – present | Selfridge ANGB MacDill AFB |
927th Air Refueling Group | active | AFRES | [24] |
| 931st Air Refueling Wing | 5 March 2016 – present | McConnell AFB | 931st Air Refueling Group | active | AFRES | [25] |
| 939th Air Refueling Wing | 1 April 2003 – 30 June 2008 | Portland ANGB | 939th Rescue Wing | none | AFRES | [26] |
| 940th Air Refueling Wing | 1 October 1994 – 1 July 2009 29 April 2016 – present |
McClellan AFB Beale AFB |
940th Air Refueling Group 940th Wing |
active | AFRES | [27] |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1700th | c. 19 August 1990 – c. 11 March 1991 | Al Taif AB | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1701st | c. 7 August 1990 – c. November 1990 | King Abdulaziz AB | none | Strategic Wing, Provisional, 1701 | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1702nd | 21 September 1990 – c. 8 March 1991 | Muscat Seeb Airport | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1703rd | c. 10 August 1990 – c. 10 March 1991 | King Khalid IAP | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1706th | c. 28 September 1990 – c. 24 May 1991 | Cairo West AB | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1707th | c. 1990 – c. 1991 | RAFO Masirah | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1709th | c. 7 August 1990 – c. 14 March 1991 | King Abdulaziz AB | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1710th | c. 19 1990 – c. 1991 | Southwest Asia | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1711th | c. October 1990 – c. March 1991 | King Khalid IAP | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1712th | c. 20 December 1990 – c. 14 March 1991 | Al Minhad AB | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, 1713th | c. October 1990 – c. March 1991 | Dubai IAP | none | none | AFCENT[28] | |
| 4045th Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1959 – 1 January 1963[21] | Selfridge AFB | none | none[note 13] | SAC | |
| 4050th Air Refueling Wing | 1 April 1955 – 1 January 1963 | Westover AFB | none | none[note 14] | SAC | [20][29] |
| 4060th Air Refueling Wing | 8 March 1955 – 1 February 1960 | Dow AFB | none | none | SAC | [30] |
| 4061st Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1957 – 15 July 1961 | Malmstrom AFB | none | none[note 15] | SAC | [31] |
| 4108th Air Refueling Wing | 1 January 1961 – 1 January 1963 | Plattsburgh AFB | none | none[note 16] | SAC | [19][32] |
| 4397th Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1958 – 15 June 1962 | Randolph AFB | none[note 17] | none | SAC | [33] |
| 4505th Air Refueling Wing | 1 July 1958 – 8 October 1963 | Langley AFB | none | none | SAC | [34] |
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- ^ In addition to the wings listed, The 335th Bombardment Group was redesignated the 335th Air Refueling Wing in July 1985. It retains this designation, but it has not been active under any designation since the redesignation. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations
- ^ The wing replaced the 106th Military Airlift Wing, but was a newly-constituted unit. It was replaced by the 106th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, which again was a newly-constituted unit.
- ^ The wing replaced the 171st Aeromedical Airlift Wing, but was a newly-constituted unit. The two wings were consolidated on 18 August 1987.
- ^ The wing was redesignated 311th Air Refueling Wing in inactive status, but this action was later revoked.
- ^ The wing was consolidated with the 3636th Combat Crew Training Wing in January 1993.
- ^ Replaced 4108th Air Refueling Wing.
- ^ Consolidated with 497th Bombardment Group on 31 January 1984. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 539q, 31 January 1984, Subject: Consolidation of Units.
- ^ Replaced 4050th Air Refueling Wing.
- ^ Consolidated with 499th Bombardment Group on 31 January 1984. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 539q, 31 January 1984, Subject: Consolidation of Units.
- ^ Replaced 4045th Air Refueling Wing.
- ^ Consolidated with 500th Bombardment Group on 31 January 1984. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 539q, 31 January 1984, Subject: Consolidation of Units.
- ^ Absorbed residual elements of 22nd Air Refueling Wing, which moved to McConnell AFB.
- ^ Replaced by 500th Air Refueling Wing. Ravenstein, pp. 272-273
- ^ Replaced by 499th Air Refueling Wing.
- ^ Subordinate base support units transferred to 341st Strategic Missile Wing. Ravenstein, Combat Wings, p. 181
- ^ Replaced by 497th Air Refueling Wing.
- ^ Absorbed the Boeing B-47 Stratojet resources of the 3510th Combat Crew Training Wing.
- Citations
- ^ Musser, James S. (7 January 2021). "Factsheet 6 Air Refueling Wing (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (11 March 2007). "Factsheet 11 Wing (USAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (February 2014). "Factsheet 19 Airlift Wing (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (April 2014). "Factsheet 22 Air Refueling Wing (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Stephens, Maj Tonia (16 June 2017). "Factsheet 53 Electronic Combat Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Kane, Richard B. (22 June 2010). "Factsheet 92 Air Refueling Wing (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Stephens, Maj Tonia B. (31 December 2018). "Factsheet 100 Air Refueling Wing (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ Ravenstein, pp. 144-146. (Through September 1977)
- ^ Kane, Richard B. (13 September 2010). "Factsheet 305 Air Mobility Wing (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Ream, Margaret (14 January 2021). "Factsheet 319 Reconnaissance Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations
- ^ Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, May 2007, Maxwell AFB, AL
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (May 2011). "Factsheet 336th Training Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Haulman, Daniel (31 October 2016). "Factsheet 340th Flying Training Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Ravenstein, pp. 207-208. (Through September 1977).
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (June 2012). "Factsheet 434 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (23 August 2012). "Factsheet 452 Air Mobility Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (28 November 2012). "Factsheet 459 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ a b Ravenstein, p. 272
- ^ a b Ravenstein, pp. 271-272
- ^ a b Ravenstein, pp. 272-273
- ^ Haulman, Daniel (19 June 2018). "Factsheet 914 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (9 April 2013). "Factsheet 916 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (17 May 2013). "Factsheet 927 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (17 May 2016). "Factsheet 931 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "939th History". 939th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. 2 January 2008. Archived from the original on 20 June 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Bailey, Carl E. (24 May 2016). "Factsheet 940 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Combat elements provided by SAC.
- ^ Mueller, p. 581
- ^ "Abstract, History of 820th Air Div, Feb 1961". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- ^ Mueller, p. 361
- ^ Mueller, p. 478
- ^ Mueller, p. 492
- ^ Mueller, p. 316
Bibliography
- Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Smith, Richard K. (1998). Seventy-Five Years of Inflight Refueling: Highlights, 1923-1998 (PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Further reading
- Clark, Major Rita F.; Martin, CMS Herman F. (1988). Strategic Air Command: Unit Mission and History Summaries. Offutt AFB, NE: Office of the Historian Strategic Air Command. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- Hopkins, J. C.; Goldberg, Sheldon A. (1986). The Development of Strategic Air Command 1946-1986 (the fortieth anniversary history). Offutt AFB, NE: Office of the Historian, Strategic Air Command. Retrieved 18 February 2018.