List of USAF Air Refueling Wings assigned to Strategic Air Command

The United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command began to be assigned air refuelling wings soon after it was activated in 1949,. Initially equipped with KB-29s (1949 - 1956), KC-97s (1951 - 1990), KC-135s (1951 - 1991) and KC-10s (1981 - 1990).

11th Air Refueling Wing “Progress without Fear or Prejudice”

See: 11th Wing
*Redesignated on: 2 July 1968.
*At: Altus AFB, OK.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Second Air Force, 19th Air Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s.
*Inactivated on: 25 March 1969.

Phased out Atlas missiles in Jan 1965 and B-52s in mid-1968, completing its final nine months of activation as an aerial refueling wing.

19th Air Refueling Wing “On Wings We Conquer”

*Redesignated on: 1 October 1983.
*At: Robins AFB, GA.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Eighth Air Force, 42nd Air Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s.
*Changed equipment in: 1984 to EC-135s, KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force on 16 June 1988.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force on 1 September 1991.
*Changed equipment in: 1991 to EC-135s, KC-135s, EC-137s.
*Reassigned to: Air Mobility Command, Fifteenth Air Force on 31 May 1992.

Redesignated an air refueling wing on 1 October. 1983, began worldwide aerial refueling missions for various operations and exercises, and supported the European Tanker Task Force. Flew aerial refueling missions supporting the rescue efforts in Grenada, 23-24 October. 1983. Beginning in 1984, provided two EC-135 aircraft and crews to support the United States Central Command's mission in Southwest Asia. With conversion to KC-135R aircraft, gained the additional missions of supporting the Pacific and Alaska Tanker Task Forces in Mar. 1988, and the Caribbean Tanker Task Force in Mar. 1990. Wing aircraft and crews set sixteen world aviation records in the “Time to Climb Event” on 19 November. 1988. Flew aerial refueling missions for the invasion of Panama, 18-2 1 December. 1989. Deployed KC/EC-135 aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia, Aug. 1990-Mar. 1991, to provide aerial refueling.

22nd Air Refueling Wing “We Lead”

*Redesignated on: 1 October 1982.
*At: March AFB, CA.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Fifteenth Air Force, 12th Air Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s, KC-10s.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 47th Air Division on 1 October 1985.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Air Division on 23 January 1987.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force on 1 July 1988.
*Changed equipment in: 1990 to KC-10s.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, Air Mobility Command on 31 May 1992.

Lost bombardment mission in 1982 and equipped with KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft. Thereafter, provided strategic Air refueling and airlift in support of worldwide USAF and other DOD operations and training exercises. Moved personnel and cargo in support of Chadian resistance to Libyan incursions in 1983 and conducted airlift and refueling missions during rescue of US nationals in Grenada, 1983. Provided specialized refueling support to SR-71 aircraft reconnaissance operations worldwide, c. 1985-1990, and to the F-117 stealth aircraft program, c. 1987-Supported F-117 deployments to Saudi Arabia and contributed aircraft and personnel to logistics efforts in support of the liberation of Kuwait, 1990-

68th Air Refueling Wing

*Activated on: 30 September 1986.
*At: Seymour Johnson AFB, NC.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Eighth Air Force, 42nd Air Division.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force on 16 June 1988.
*Equipment: KC-10s.
*Inactivated in: 1991.

100th Air Refueling Wing "Peace Through Strength"

*Redesignated on: 30 September 1976.
*At: Beale AFB, CA.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Air Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s.
*Inactivated on: 15 March 1983.

*Reactivated on: 1 February 1992.
*At: RAF Mildenhall, England.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Air Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Third Air Force on 1 February 1992.

At Beale AFB, the wing provided KC-135Q refueling support to USAF strategic and tactical forces, worldwide, Sep 1976-Mar 1983, but transferred its resources to the 9th SRW and inactivated on 15 March 1983. R On 1 February 1992, the 100th became host unit at RAF Mildenhall where it deployed aircraft and managed the European Tanker Task Force.

301st Air Refueling Wing

*Redesignated on: 16 June 1964.
*At: Lockbourne AFB, OH.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Eighth Air Force, 801st Air Division.
*Equipment: B-47s, EC-135s, KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 817th Air Division on 15 March 1965.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 57th Air Division on 15 November 1965.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 40th Air Division on 2 July 1966.
*Changed equipment in: 1966 to EC-135, KC-135s.
*Changed equipment in: 1967 to KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 42nd Air Division on 31 March 1970.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 40th Air Division on 1 July 1973.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 40th Air Division on 1 July 1975.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 42nd Air Division on 1 July 1975.
*Inactivated on: 30 September 1979.

*Reactivated on: 5 January 1988
*At: Malstrom AFB, MT.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, 4th Air Division.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force on 23 August 1988,
*Assigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 40th Air Division on 7 July 1989.
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force on 14 June 1991
*Equipment: KC-135s
*Reassigned to: Air Mobility Command, Fifteenth Air Force on 31 May 1992

In addition, participated in the post attack command and control system from 3 March. 1965 to 30 June. 1966. From c. 9 June. to 8 October. 1972, most of the wing headquarters staff, all tactical aircraft and crews, and most of the maintenance personnel, plus support personnel in various categories, deployed in Southeast Asia, attached to other SAC organizations. A reduced wing headquarters remained in the United States to administer activities of the combat support group and hospital at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. From 19 December. 1972 to 18 January 1973, the wing repeated previous deployed condition on a smaller scale, with deployed resources forming a provisional Air refueling squadron in the Philippines.

305th Air Refueling Wing "Can Do"

*Redesignated on: 1 January 1970
*At: Grissom AFB, Indiana
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Second Air Force, 42nd Air Division
*Equipment: EC-135s, KC-135s
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 40th Air Division on 1 July 1973
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 40th Air Division on 1 January 1975
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 42nd Air Division on 1 December 1982
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force 16 June 1988
*Reassigned to: Air Mobility Command,Fifteenth Air Force on 31 May 1992

The wing from Jan 1970 concentrated on air refueling and PACCS support. From the early 1970s, supported worldwide task forces by deploying tankers to Europe, Alaska, Greenland, and the Pacific. Provided air-refueling support to units involved in the invasion of Grenada (Oct 1983). From Aug 1990 to Jun 1991 deployed personnel and aircraft to provide refueling support for air operations to and in Southwest Asia. Wing also delivered food to the Kurds in Northern Iraq, Apr-May 1991. Lost its PACCS mission in May 1992.

340th Air Refueling Wing “Anywhere Any Time”

*Redesignated on: 1 October 1984.
*At: Altus AFB, OK.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Eighth Air Force, 19th Air Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s
*Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force on 6 June 1988.
*Reassigned to: Air Mobility Command, Fifteenth Air Force on 31 May 1992.

wings soon after it was activated in the 1950s. Initially equipped with the KC-97L, they began to be reequipped with the KC-135 in 1957.

380th Air Refueling Wing “Strength and Confidence”

*Activated in: 1991.
*At: Plattsburgh AFB, NY.
*Assigned to: Eighth Air Force.
*Equipment: KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Air Mobility Command, Fifteenth Air Force on 31 May 1992.

384th Air Refueling Wing “Keep the Show on the Road”

*Redesignated on: 15 November 1972.
*Activated on: 1 December 1972.
*At: McConnell AFB, KS.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Fifteenth Air Force, 12th Strategic Missile Division.
*Equipment: KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 19th Air Division on 1 July 1973.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 19th Air Division on 1 January 1975.
*Redesignated on: 30 June 1987 as 384th Bomb Wing.

Operate out of McConnell AFB, KS. From Dec. 1972. Deployed KC-135 aircraft and crews on a worldwide basis, engaging in actual and simulated tactical and strategic operations, including air refueling support for the evacuation of South Vietnamese in 1975. Maintained proficiency in air refueling in support of SAC units and other units as directed.

497th Air Refueling Wing “We Stand Ready”

*Activated on: 1 January 1963.
*At: Plattsburgh AFB, NY.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command.
*Equipment: KC-97s.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 820th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 January 1963
*Deactivated on: 15 September 1964.

Replaced 4108th Air Refueling Wing in Jan. 1963. Supported global Air Refueling mission of SAC and other USAF needs as required.

499th Air Refueling Wing

*Established and activated on: 1 January 1963.
*At: Westover AFB, MA.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command.
*Equipment: KC-97s, KC-135s.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 57th Air Division on 1 January 1963.
*Inactivated on: 25 June 1966.

Replaced 4050th Air Refueling Wing in Jan. 1963. Supported SAC bombardment and TAC fighter aircraft with air-to-air refueling and occasionally deployed segments of its tanker force overseas to support unit movement and special operations. Also flew EC-135s on a post attack command control system (PACCS) airborne command post mission in support of Eighth Air Force. From Nov. 1965 until inactivated wing components operated under a bomb wing at Westover AFB, Mass.

500th Air Refueling Wing “Always Prepared”

*Established and activated on: 15 November 1963.
*Organized on: 1 January 1963.
*At: Selfridge AFB, MI.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command.
*Equipment: KC-97s.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 17th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 January 1963.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 40th Air Division on 1 July 1963.
*Discontinued and inactivated on: 15 December 1964.

Replaced 4045th Air Refueling Wing in Jan. 1963. Supported SAC bombardment and TAC fighter aircraft with air-to-Air Refueling and occasionally deployed segments of its tanker force overseas to support unit movement and special operations

4045th Air Refueling Wing

*Activated on: 1 July 1959.
*At: Selfridge AFB, MI.
*Assigned to: Second Air Force.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 22nd Air Division on 15 July 1959
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 17th Air Division on 9 September 1960.
*Reassigned to: Second Air Force,17th Strategic Aerospace Division on 15 February 1962.
*Inactivated on: 1 January 1963.

Replaced by 500th Air Refueling Wing in 1963.

4050th Air Refueling Wing

*Activated on: 1 April 1955.
*At: Westover AFB, MA.
*Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Eighth Air Force.
*Equipment: KC-97s.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 57th Air Division on 4 September 1956.
*Inactivated on: 1 January 1963.

Replaced by 499th Air Refueling Wing in 1963.

4060th Air Refueling Wing

*Activated on: 8 March 1955.
*At: Dow AFB, ME.
*Assigned to: Strategicx Air Command, Eighth Air Force.
*Equipment: KC-97s.
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 820th Air Division on 1 January 1959.
*Inactivated on: 1 February 1960

4061st Air Refueling Wing

*Activated in: 1 July 1957
*At: Malmstrom AFB, MT.
*Reassigned to: Strategic Air Command, Fifteenth Air Force, 813th Air Division on 15 July 1959.
*Equipment: KC-97s
*Inactivated on: 15 July 1961.

Replaced by 341st Strategic Missile Wing in 1961.

4090th Air Refueling Wing

* Activated n: 1 August 1958.
* At: Clinton-County AFB, OH.
* Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, Eighth Air Force.
* Equipment: B-52s.
* Reassigned to: Second Air Force on 1 January 1959.
* Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 22nd Air Division on 15 July 1959.
* Inactivated on: 1 July 1960.

4108th Air Refueling Wing

*Activated in: 1960
*At: Plattsburgh AFB, NY.
*Assigned to: Eighth Air Force
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 820th Air Division on 1 January 1961
*Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 820th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 January 1963.
*Inactivated on: 1 January 1963