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121st Air Refueling Wing

The 121st Air Refueling Wing (121 ARW) is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard, stationed at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

121st Air Refueling Wing
A pair of specially painted F-117 Nighthawks fly off from their last refueling by the Ohio National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing.
Active1942–present
Country United States
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeWing
RoleAir refueling
Part ofOhio Air National Guard
Garrison/HQRickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio
Tail CodeBlock "Ohio" Red Tail Stripe
Insignia
121st Air Refueling Wing emblem

Overview edit

The 121st Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 Stratotanker mission is to provide the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. This unique aircraft enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

Units edit

The 121st Air Refueling Wing consists of the following units:

History edit

World War II edit

See 357th Fighter Group for extended World War II history

Used P-39 Airacobras in preparing for duty overseas. Moved to England in November 1943 and became part of VIII Fighter Command. Trained with P-51 Mustangs and began combat operations on 11 February 1944 by making a fighter sweep over Rouen. Served primarily as a bomber escort organization, providing penetration (target) and withdrawal support for bombers that attacked strategic objectives on the Continent. Participated in the assault against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944.

Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for two escort missions in which heavy opposition was encountered from enemy fighters: on 6 March 1944 provided target and withdrawal support during the first attack that heavy bombers of Eighth Air Force made on Berlin; on 29 June 1944 protected bombers that struck targets at Leipzig. Received second DUC for operations on 14 January 1945 when the group, covering bombers on a raid to Derben, broke up an attack by a large force of interceptors and in the ensuing aerial battle destroyed a number of the enemy planes. In addition to escort the group conducted counter-air patrols, made fighter sweeps, and flew strafing and dive-bombing missions in which it attacked airdromes, marshalling yards, locomotives, bridges, barges, tugboats, highways, vehicles, fuel dumps, and other targets. Participated in the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944; the breakthrough at St Lo in July; the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944 – Jan 1945; and the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew its last mission, an escort operation, on 25 April 1945.

Moved to Germany in Jul and assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe for duty with the army of occupation. Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946.

Ohio Air National Guard edit

 
164th FS P-51H Mustang 44-64502

The wartime 357th Fighter Group was re-designated as the 121st Fighter Group, and was allotted to the Ohio Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Lockbourne Army Airfield, Columbus, Ohio, and was extended federal recognition on 20 June 1948 by the National Guard Bureau. The 121st Fighter Group was bestowed the lineage, history, honors, and colors of the 357th Fighter Group.

Assigned to the Ohio ANG 55th Fighter Wing, the 121st Fighter Group consisted of the following operational squadrons:

The squadrons was equipped with F-51D Mustangs with a mission of air defense of the State of Ohio. On 31 October 1950 the 121st Fighter Wing was established, and the 55th Fighter Wing was disbanded, its personnel and mission assumed by the new 121st Fighter Wing. The 121st Fighter Groups and its assigned squadrons were assigned to the new 121st FW.

With the assumption of the 55th Fighter Wing, the 112th Bombardment Squadron (Light) at Cleveland Municipal Airport was transferred from the 55th Fighter Wing to the 121st Fighter Wing, the squadron being assigned directly to the wing. The 112th flew the RB-26C Invader.

Korean War federalization edit

 
Douglas RB-26C-40-DT Invader serial 44-35599 of the 112th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in a temporary wooden nose "hangar", January 1953. Notice the temporary Marston Mat used for the parking apron with the snow and ice.

With the surprise invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1950, and the regular military's complete lack of readiness, most of the Air National Guard was federalized placed on active duty.

  • The 112th Bombardment Squadron was federalized on 10 October 1950. It was re-designated as the 112th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and assigned to the federalized Alabama ANG 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group. It deployed to West Germany and later France to reinforce the United States Air Forces in Europe. It was released from active duty on 9 July 1952 and returned to Ohio without aircraft or equipment, which was transferred to USAFE.
  • The 162d Fighter Squadron was not federalized and remained at Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport and continued its air defense mission.
  • The 164th Fighter Squadron was federalized on 10 February 1951. The 164th however was selected to remain at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport and continue the air defense mission, being operationally gained by the Eastern Air Defense Force, Air Defense Command. The squadron was released from federal service and returned to Ohio State control.
  • The 166th Fighter Squadron was federalized on 10 February 1951 and assigned to the federalized Indiana ANG 122d Fighter-Interceptor Group with an Air Defense Command commitment. The squadron initially remained at Lockbourne and flew air defense training missions. On 20 September, the 166th was reassigned to the federalized Oregon ANG 142d Fighter-Interceptor Group which was headquartered at Chicago O'Hare International Airport with no change of mission. However, Strategic Air Command (SAC) had taken over Lockbourne AFB on 1 April 1951 it was decided to move the 166th FIS to Youngstown Municipal Airport, Ohio, which was accomplished on 31 October 1952. The squadron was released from federal service and returned to Ohio State control on 1 November, remaining in Youngstown.

Early Cold War era edit

 
The 162nd FS flew the F-84E Thunderjet from 1955–1957

The 112th was reformed at Akron-Canton Airport and re-designated as the 112th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. It was re-equipped with F-51H Mustangs, and were one of the last two Air National Guard squadrons to fly this version of the Mustang. It was assigned to the 121st Fighter-Bomber Group.

At its new base at Youngstown, the 166th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was re-equipped with F-51H Mustangs which the squadron flew until 1954 when the 166th received refurbished F-80A Shooting Stars that had been modified and upgraded to F-80C standards. With the F-80s, the squadron began standing daytime air defense alert at Youngstown, placing two aircraft at the end of the runway with pilots in the cockpit from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. The squadron only operated the Shooting Star until January 1955 when the 166th received F-84E Thunderjets that had returned from wartime duty in Korea.

In September 1953 the 164th, now designated as a Fighter-Bomber Squadron, received its first jet aircraft, refurbished F-80A Shooting Stars that had been modified and upgraded to F-80C standards. The squadron only operated the Shooting Star for a year when in October 1954 the equipment was changed to F-84E Thunderjets that had returned from wartime duty in Korea. In August 1954, the 164th began standing daytime air defense alert at Mansfield, placing two aircraft at the end of the runway with pilots in the cockpit from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. This ADC alert lasted each and every day until 30 June 1956.

In September 1955 Air Defense Command wanted to re-equip the 162d Fighter Interceptor Squadron from F-51H Mustangs to jet-powered F-84E Thunderjets in accordance with the USAF directive to phase out propeller-driven fighter-interceptor aircraft from the inventory. However, because the runways at the Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport were too short at that time to support jet fighter operations, the National Guard Bureau approved the relocation request by the Ohio ANG to move the squadron to Springfield Municipal Airport, just east of Dayton.

With new facilities under construction at Springfield, the 162d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron conducted their transition training from temporary facilities at Wright-Patterson AFB. The F-84E Thunderjets were Korean War veteran aircraft and the squadron received training in the equipment from the Ohio ANG 164th and 166th Tactical Fighter Squadrons.

 
Two 164th TFS F-84F Thunderstreaks in formation 51-9433 and 52-6938

In October 1955, the 112th FBS were informed that they were to receive F-84E Thunderjets, but since the runways at Akron-Canton Municipal Airport were deemed inadequate for jet operations, it was decided to construct an entirely new facility for them at the new Toledo Express Airport at Toledo. The 112th FBS left Akron-Canton for the Toledo Municipal Airport on 1 April 1956 and retired their F-51H Mustangs for T-28A Trojans, and operated F-84Es until the summer of 1958. In January 1959, the 112th's facility at the Toledo Express Airport and moved to the new facility. The T-28s were replaced with new F-84F Thunderstreaks the squadron was designated as a Tactical Fighter Squadron.

In early 1956, a fifth squadron was gained by the 121st. The 145th Air Transport Squadron was allotted to the Ohio Air National Guard by the National Guard Bureau to replace the 112th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Akron-Canton Airport. The 145th ATS, gained by the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) received federal recognition on 17 March 1956. Initially assigned C-46D Commando twin-engine propeller transports, the squadron was upgraded in 1958 to C-119J Flying Boxcar transports, fitted for aeromedical transport of personnel to medical facilities.

In early 1957, the 164th FBS sent their war-weary F-84C Thunderjets to storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona and received new F-84F Thunderstreak swept-wing interceptors. Later in 1957, the 164th Fighter-Bomber Squadron received the 1st Air Force Flying Safety Award for three consecutive years of accident-free flying, an impressive accomplishment as in the previous three years the squadron had flown three different types of aircraft.

The 166th was upgraded with new F-84F Thunderstreaks in November 1957, the gaining command of the squadron became Tactical Air Command (TAC), however, it remained attached to Air Defense Command in a secondary role. In 1959, the need for active duty Air Defense Command bases and regular Air Force fighter-interceptor operations were diminishing and the intent to scale back operations at Youngstown AFB was announced on 28 October 1959. The Ohio Air National Guard moved the 121st FBG back to Lockbourne Air Force Base on 1 March 1960.

1961 Berlin Crisis edit

 
Former Ohio 166th TFS Republic F-84F-40-RE Thunderstreak, Serial 52-6526. Today, this aircraft is on permanent exhibit at the Museum of the United States Air Force Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio

The 121st Tactical Fighter Wing were called to active duty for a period of twelve months on 1 October. When activated, the federalized wing consisted of three operational units, the 162d TFS at Springfield, the 164th TFS at Mansfield, and the 166th at Lockbourne. The 112th TFS at Toledo and the 145th ATS at Akron were temporally attached directly to Ohio ANG Headquarters at Columbus for the period of federalization. The mission of the activated 121st TFW was to reinforce the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), and deploy to Étain-Rouvres Air Base, France, a standby USAFE base. However, due to funding shortages, only 26 F-84F Thunderstreaks of 166th TFS were deployed to France, although several ground support units from the 162nd and 164th were also deployed.

On 4 November the first ANG T-33 aircraft arrived at Etain, with the F-84s arriving on 16 November. In July 1962 the deployed Air National Guardsmen were no longer needed in Europe and the 7121st began to redeploy its personnel to Ohio. All the aircraft and support equipment, however, remained at Etain to equip a new wing being formed there, the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. The last of the ANG personnel departed on 9 August 1962.

1962 reorganization edit

With the wing's return from France in 1962, the Ohio Air National Guard received authorization from the National Guard Bureau to expand its squadrons to groups.

The 121st Tactical Fighter Group retained its 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Lockbourne AFB.

Vietnam War and late Cold War era edit

 
162d Tactical Fighter Squadron – North American F-100F Super Sabre 56-3859 about 1975

In 1962, having left their Thunderstreaks in France, the 166th TFS at Lockbourne was re-equipped with F-100C Super Sabre fighter-bombers, which greatly enhanced its mission capabilities.

In 1964, the 160th ARG participated in Operation Ready Go, the first all United States Air National Guard (ANG) non-stop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe. In 1965, the KC-97Gs were upgraded to KC-97Ls with addition of jet engine pods mounted to the outboard wings. 1967 saw the beginning of Operation Creek Party, a continuous rotational mission flying from Rhein Main Air Base, West Germany, providing air refueling to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) tactical aircraft. The success of this operation, which would continue until 1975, demonstrated the ability of the Air National Guard to perform significant day-to-day missions without being mobilized. It was taken over by the active-duty Strategic Air Command 7th Air Force.

Along with the Kansas ANG F-100C 127th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 166th TFS was federalized and deployed to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. The federalized ANG squadrons were assigned as part of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. The squadrons flew deterrent air defense missions over South Korean airspace during the next year. During the deployment some pilots flew combat missions in South Vietnam while performing temporary assignments with other units. The performance of the ANG units at Kusan in 1968–69 suggested the prerequisites of effective air reserve programs and paved the way for adoption of the total force policy in 1970 which exists today. In 1971 the squadrons F-100Cs were retired and replaced by F-100D/F Super Sabres, being received from combat units in South Vietnam that were returning to the United States.

 
166th TFS A-7D 72–260 about 1979

In the spring of 1970, the 178th TFG's F-84F Thunderstreaks were sent to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage, the squadron receiving Vietnam War veteran F-100D/F Super Sabres. Concentration on the qualifications of aircrews, munitions load crews and the attainment of a C-3 combat readiness rating were the primary objectives for 1971. The group achieved C-3 on 30 August, a first for F-100D-equipped Air Guard units. January 1972 saw the squadron in extensive practice for their pending 9th Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). The ORI was conducted in March and the 9th Air Force did not agree with the unit's C-3 rating. A retake was scheduled in June, with the 162d TFS coming away with the TAC-confirmed rating of C-1, the first F-100D squadron to achieve this feat. In 1971, the 180th TFG retired its Thunderstreaks and also converted to the F-100 Super Sabre.

 
164th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules

In 1971, Clinton County Air Force Base was closed as a result of the Nixon Administration looking to save money because of the Vietnam War. As part of the moving out of units from Clinton County AFB, the 160th ARG was moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus, Ohio.

In February 1972, the 179th TGS also retired its Thunderstreaks and converted to the F-100 Super Sabre. The squadron flew the F-100s until the winter of 1976 when the 179th was transferred from Tactical Air Command to Military Airlift Command on 5 January. At this time, the unit converted to the C-130B Hercules and received a complement of eight aircraft. With the change of equipment, the unit was designated a Tactical Airlift Group.

In 1974, under the "Total Force Policy", Guard and Reserve units began to receive newer aircraft and equipment in the 1970s. The 166th TFS began conversion to the A-7D Corsair II in December which brought with it additional missions. The 178th TFG received the A-7D in January 1978. The conversion from the F-100 to the A-7 was accomplished in less than three months, the fastest ever for an Air Force or Air National Guard unit. The 179th TFG converted to A-7D in the summer of 1979

In December 1974 Tactical Air Command transferred its air refueling units to Strategic Air Command. In 1975, the 160th ARG became the first Air National Guard unit to convert to the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker all jet tanker aircraft as part of SAC's Eighth Air Force. The group was the first ANG unit to perform the SAC 24-hour Alert mission and pass a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection in July 1976.

During the 1980s the squadrons and groups of the 121st were frequently deployed, primarily to Europe during USAFE exercises. The "OH" tailcode of the wing was a frequent sight at bases in England, West Germany and other NATO air bases. In 1989, while deployed at Panama for a Coronet Cove deployment, 180th TFG A-7s were employed during Operation Just Cause.

1990 Gulf Crisis edit

 
160th ARG KC-135 refuels two U.S. Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat fighters from Fighter Squadron VF-74.

In August 1990, the 160th Air Refueling Group was one of the first Air Guard units to deploy aircraft to the Middle East after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Aircraft, aircrews and support personnel began volunteer rotational Desert Shield deployments to a provisional Tanker Task Force at King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (1709th ARS (P)). The 160th was called to active duty on 20 December 1990. Deployment began on 28 December and the 160th became part of three Provisional Air Refueling Wings at Al Banteen Air Base, Abu Dhabi (1712th ARS (P)), Al Dhafra Air Base, Dubai (1705th ARS (P)), and Jeddah. Additional personnel augmented a regional support base at Morón Air Base, Spain while others deployed to various bases to "backfill" for deployed active duty personnel. Aircraft and volunteer aircrews were heavily involved in "Air Bridge" refueling missions supporting deployment of combat forces to Southwest Asia.

The 179th Airlift Group was active during Desert Shield/Storm providing airlift support throughout the Continental United States and Europe. Portions of the 179th were activated during Desert Shield/Storm and served in the US, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

The 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 178th and 180th Tactical Fighter Groups did not deploy to Saudi Arabia in 1990 during Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm as the A-7Ds were considered a second-line aircraft. Ohio Air National Guard volunteers, however were deployed to CENTAF during the crisis and subsequent combat operations.

Post Cold War reorganization edit

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 and Operation Desert Storm, Air Force planners reorganized the major command structure and the organization of its units to reflect the new reality of the 1990s and also a smaller force after the end of the Cold War.

 
112th Fighter Squadron – General Dynamics F-16D Block 42F Fighting Falcon 89-2165

Strategic Air Command, Military Airlift Command and Tactical Air Command were all inactivated. In their place Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command became the gaining commands for the Ohio Air National Guard units effective 1 June 1992.

  • The 160th Air Refueling Group became part of Air Combat Command. In 1991 it was upgraded to the more fuel-efficient KC-135R Stratotanker.
  • The 179th Airlift Group became part of Air Combat Command. In 1991 it was upgraded to the C-130H Hercules.
  • The A-7D Corsair II ground support fighters were retired in 1992 and 1993. The 178th and 180th TFG received F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters and became part of Air Combat Command. The 178th Fighter Group was the last United States military organization to fly the A-7D.
  • The 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Rickenbacker also retired its A-7Ds. It was realigned as a KC-135 air refueling squadron in 1993 as part of Air Combat Combat Command. The 121st also assumed Rickenbacker base support responsibilities. In October 1993, the 121st Air Refueling Wing was consolidated with the 160th Air Refueling Group which was inactivated in the process. With this consolidation, the 121st became a "Super Wing" by gaining the 145th Air Refueling Squadron.

In October 1995, in accordance with the Air Force One Base-One Wing directive the 121st was relieved of its Geographically separated Groups as they were changed in status to Wings, reporting directly to the Ohio Air National Guard. The 178th Fighter Wing stood up on 1 October 1995; the 179th Airlift Wing on 11 October 1995 and the 180th Fighter Wing also on 11 October 1995.

 
A 121st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 refueling a B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber

Under the 121st ARW, the 166th and 145th Air Refueling Squadrons began flying from bases in southern France to support strike aircraft during Operation Deny Flight missions over the Balkans. The 121st was a fixture at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, as well as Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, supporting Operations Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch, respectively, over Iraq.

Twenty-first century edit

After the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, the 121st Air Refueling Wing launched into immediate action supporting armed aircraft over the United States during Operation Noble Eagle. The 121st ARW had the distinction of flying more missions than any other unit during this time. The 121st ARW has also deployed and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan, as well as the Iraq War after 2003.

In addition to the combat deployments, the unit has also been very heavily tasked with airlift missions during national emergencies. Immediately following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the 121st ARW was one of the first units to send aircraft into Louisiana filled with supplies and troops. Similar missions were flown in September 2005, after Hurricane Rita.

In 2010, the wing commander Brigadier General Thomas Botchie was forced to resign after allegations of cronyism, fraternization, inappropriate conduct, and sexual harassment were made against him by members of the wing and substantiated by an investigation. Witnesses stated that fraternization and unprofessional relationships within the wing were widespread and also included another senior officer, Colonel Stephen McMahon, the wing's operations group commander.[1]

Lineage edit

 
World War II 357th Fighter Group emblem
 
160th Air Refueling Group Desert Storm patch
 
178th Fighter Group A-7 Retirement patch
  • Constituted as 357th Fighter Group on 1 December 1942 and activated the same day
Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946
  • Re-designated: 121st Fighter Group, and allotted to Ohio ANG, on 21 August 1946
Extended federal recognition on 26 June 1948
  • Established as 121st Fighter Wing and allotted to Ohio ANG, 31 October 1950
Organized and received federal recognition, 1 November 1950, assuming personnel and equipment of 55th Fighter Wing (Inactivated)
121st Fighter Group assigned as subordinate unit
Re-designated: 121st Fighter-Bomber Wing, 16 October 1952
Group re-designated 121st Fighter-Bomber Group
Re-designated: 121st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 1 November 1952
Group re-designated 121st Fighter-Interceptor Group
Re-designated: 121st Fighter-Bomber Wing, 1 November 1957
Group re-designated 121st Fighter-Bomber Group
Re-designated: 121st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 September 1961
Group re-designated 121st Tactical Fighter Group
Federalized and ordered to active service on: 1 October 1961
Elements operated as: 7121st Tactical Wing, 4 November 1961 – 9 August 1962
Released from active duty and returned to Ohio state control, 20 August 1952
121st Tactical Fighter Group inactivated 30 June 1974
Re-designated: 121st Air Refueling Wing, 16 January 1993
Group re-activated and re-designated as 121st Operations Group

Assignments edit

Gained by: Eastern Air Defense Force, Air Defense Command
Gained by: Tactical Air Command, 1 November 1957
Elements attached to: Seventeenth Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe, 4 November 1961 – 9 August 1962
Gained by: Tactical Air Command
Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992
Gained by: Air Mobility Command, 16 January 1993–Present

Components edit

Re-designated: 162d Fighter Squadron, 26 June 1948 – 15 October 1962
  • 363d Fighter Squadron (B6): 1 December 1942 – 20 August 1946
Re-designated: 164th Fighter Squadron, 26 June 1948 – 15 October 1962
  • 364th Fighter Squadron (C5): 1 December 1942 – 20 August 1946
Re-designated: 166th Fighter (later Fighter-Interceptor, Fighter-Bomber, Tactical Fighter, Fighter, Air Refueling) Squadron, 26 June 1948 – 26 January 1968; 18 June 1969–Present

Stations edit

Aircraft edit

References edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ Fontaine, Scott, "Report: Sexual relationships ‘rampant’ in wing", Military Times, 18 April 2011; Fontaine, Scott, "Report details 1-star’s inappropriate conduct", Military Times, 18 April 2011.
  • Maurer, Maurer, Air Force Combat Units of World War II, Office of Air Force history (1961). ISBN 0-405-12194-6
  • Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
  • Maurer, Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force: World War II. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1982.
  • McLaren, David (2004), Lockheed P-80/F-80 Shooting Star: A Photo Chronicle, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.; First Edition, ISBN 0887409075
  • McLaren, David. Republic F-84 Thunderjet, Thunderstreak & Thunderflash: A Photo Chronicle. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1998. ISBN 0-7643-0444-5.
  • Ohio Air National Guard 60 Year History, Copyright 1988, Published by Headquarters Ohio Air National Guard;
  • Crossroads of Liberty, Copyright 2008 by Robert M. Stroup II, Published by Pictorial Histories Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 978-1-57510-133-0.
  • Cornett, Lloyd H. and Johnson, Mildred W., A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946–1980, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson AFB, CO (1980). 13 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine

External links edit

121st, refueling, wing, unit, ohio, national, guard, stationed, rickenbacker, national, guard, base, columbus, ohio, activated, federal, service, wing, gained, united, states, force, mobility, command, pair, specially, painted, nighthawks, from, their, last, r. The 121st Air Refueling Wing 121 ARW is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard stationed at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base Columbus Ohio If activated to federal service the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command 121st Air Refueling WingA pair of specially painted F 117 Nighthawks fly off from their last refueling by the Ohio National Guard s 121st Air Refueling Wing Active1942 presentCountry United StatesBranch Air National GuardTypeWingRoleAir refuelingPart ofOhio Air National GuardGarrison HQRickenbacker Air National Guard Base Columbus OhioTail CodeBlock Ohio Red Tail StripeInsignia121st Air Refueling Wing emblem Contents 1 Overview 2 Units 3 History 3 1 World War II 3 2 Ohio Air National Guard 3 2 1 Korean War federalization 3 2 2 Early Cold War era 3 2 3 1961 Berlin Crisis 3 2 4 1962 reorganization 3 2 5 Vietnam War and late Cold War era 3 2 6 1990 Gulf Crisis 3 2 7 Post Cold War reorganization 3 2 8 Twenty first century 3 3 Lineage 3 4 Assignments 3 5 Components 3 6 Stations 3 7 Aircraft 4 References 5 External linksOverview editThe 121st Air Refueling Wing s KC 135 Stratotanker mission is to provide the core aerial refueling capability for the U S Air Force and the Air National Guard This unique aircraft enhances the Air Force s capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force Navy Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft The KC 135 is capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations Units editThe 121st Air Refueling Wing consists of the following units 121st Operations Group 166th Air Refueling Squadron 121st Maintenance Group 121st Mission Support Group 121st Medical GroupHistory editWorld War II edit See 357th Fighter Group for extended World War II history Used P 39 Airacobras in preparing for duty overseas Moved to England in November 1943 and became part of VIII Fighter Command Trained with P 51 Mustangs and began combat operations on 11 February 1944 by making a fighter sweep over Rouen Served primarily as a bomber escort organization providing penetration target and withdrawal support for bombers that attacked strategic objectives on the Continent Participated in the assault against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week 20 25 February 1944 Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for two escort missions in which heavy opposition was encountered from enemy fighters on 6 March 1944 provided target and withdrawal support during the first attack that heavy bombers of Eighth Air Force made on Berlin on 29 June 1944 protected bombers that struck targets at Leipzig Received second DUC for operations on 14 January 1945 when the group covering bombers on a raid to Derben broke up an attack by a large force of interceptors and in the ensuing aerial battle destroyed a number of the enemy planes In addition to escort the group conducted counter air patrols made fighter sweeps and flew strafing and dive bombing missions in which it attacked airdromes marshalling yards locomotives bridges barges tugboats highways vehicles fuel dumps and other targets Participated in the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944 the breakthrough at St Lo in July the Battle of the Bulge Dec 1944 Jan 1945 and the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945 Flew its last mission an escort operation on 25 April 1945 Moved to Germany in Jul and assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe for duty with the army of occupation Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946 Ohio Air National Guard edit nbsp 164th FS P 51H Mustang 44 64502 The wartime 357th Fighter Group was re designated as the 121st Fighter Group and was allotted to the Ohio Air National Guard on 24 May 1946 It was organized at Lockbourne Army Airfield Columbus Ohio and was extended federal recognition on 20 June 1948 by the National Guard Bureau The 121st Fighter Group was bestowed the lineage history honors and colors of the 357th Fighter Group Assigned to the Ohio ANG 55th Fighter Wing the 121st Fighter Group consisted of the following operational squadrons 162d Fighter Squadron Cox Dayton Municipal Airport 164th Fighter Squadron Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport 166th Fighter Squadron Lockbourne Army Airfield The squadrons was equipped with F 51D Mustangs with a mission of air defense of the State of Ohio On 31 October 1950 the 121st Fighter Wing was established and the 55th Fighter Wing was disbanded its personnel and mission assumed by the new 121st Fighter Wing The 121st Fighter Groups and its assigned squadrons were assigned to the new 121st FW With the assumption of the 55th Fighter Wing the 112th Bombardment Squadron Light at Cleveland Municipal Airport was transferred from the 55th Fighter Wing to the 121st Fighter Wing the squadron being assigned directly to the wing The 112th flew the RB 26C Invader Korean War federalization edit nbsp Douglas RB 26C 40 DT Invader serial 44 35599 of the 112th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in a temporary wooden nose hangar January 1953 Notice the temporary Marston Mat used for the parking apron with the snow and ice With the surprise invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1950 and the regular military s complete lack of readiness most of the Air National Guard was federalized placed on active duty The 112th Bombardment Squadron was federalized on 10 October 1950 It was re designated as the 112th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and assigned to the federalized Alabama ANG 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group It deployed to West Germany and later France to reinforce the United States Air Forces in Europe It was released from active duty on 9 July 1952 and returned to Ohio without aircraft or equipment which was transferred to USAFE The 162d Fighter Squadron was not federalized and remained at Cox Dayton Municipal Airport and continued its air defense mission The 164th Fighter Squadron was federalized on 10 February 1951 The 164th however was selected to remain at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport and continue the air defense mission being operationally gained by the Eastern Air Defense Force Air Defense Command The squadron was released from federal service and returned to Ohio State control The 166th Fighter Squadron was federalized on 10 February 1951 and assigned to the federalized Indiana ANG 122d Fighter Interceptor Group with an Air Defense Command commitment The squadron initially remained at Lockbourne and flew air defense training missions On 20 September the 166th was reassigned to the federalized Oregon ANG 142d Fighter Interceptor Group which was headquartered at Chicago O Hare International Airport with no change of mission However Strategic Air Command SAC had taken over Lockbourne AFB on 1 April 1951 it was decided to move the 166th FIS to Youngstown Municipal Airport Ohio which was accomplished on 31 October 1952 The squadron was released from federal service and returned to Ohio State control on 1 November remaining in Youngstown Early Cold War era edit nbsp The 162nd FS flew the F 84E Thunderjet from 1955 1957 The 112th was reformed at Akron Canton Airport and re designated as the 112th Fighter Bomber Squadron It was re equipped with F 51H Mustangs and were one of the last two Air National Guard squadrons to fly this version of the Mustang It was assigned to the 121st Fighter Bomber Group At its new base at Youngstown the 166th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was re equipped with F 51H Mustangs which the squadron flew until 1954 when the 166th received refurbished F 80A Shooting Stars that had been modified and upgraded to F 80C standards With the F 80s the squadron began standing daytime air defense alert at Youngstown placing two aircraft at the end of the runway with pilots in the cockpit from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset The squadron only operated the Shooting Star until January 1955 when the 166th received F 84E Thunderjets that had returned from wartime duty in Korea In September 1953 the 164th now designated as a Fighter Bomber Squadron received its first jet aircraft refurbished F 80A Shooting Stars that had been modified and upgraded to F 80C standards The squadron only operated the Shooting Star for a year when in October 1954 the equipment was changed to F 84E Thunderjets that had returned from wartime duty in Korea In August 1954 the 164th began standing daytime air defense alert at Mansfield placing two aircraft at the end of the runway with pilots in the cockpit from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset This ADC alert lasted each and every day until 30 June 1956 In September 1955 Air Defense Command wanted to re equip the 162d Fighter Interceptor Squadron from F 51H Mustangs to jet powered F 84E Thunderjets in accordance with the USAF directive to phase out propeller driven fighter interceptor aircraft from the inventory However because the runways at the Cox Dayton Municipal Airport were too short at that time to support jet fighter operations the National Guard Bureau approved the relocation request by the Ohio ANG to move the squadron to Springfield Municipal Airport just east of Dayton With new facilities under construction at Springfield the 162d Fighter Interceptor Squadron conducted their transition training from temporary facilities at Wright Patterson AFB The F 84E Thunderjets were Korean War veteran aircraft and the squadron received training in the equipment from the Ohio ANG 164th and 166th Tactical Fighter Squadrons nbsp Two 164th TFS F 84F Thunderstreaks in formation 51 9433 and 52 6938 In October 1955 the 112th FBS were informed that they were to receive F 84E Thunderjets but since the runways at Akron Canton Municipal Airport were deemed inadequate for jet operations it was decided to construct an entirely new facility for them at the new Toledo Express Airport at Toledo The 112th FBS left Akron Canton for the Toledo Municipal Airport on 1 April 1956 and retired their F 51H Mustangs for T 28A Trojans and operated F 84Es until the summer of 1958 In January 1959 the 112th s facility at the Toledo Express Airport and moved to the new facility The T 28s were replaced with new F 84F Thunderstreaks the squadron was designated as a Tactical Fighter Squadron In early 1956 a fifth squadron was gained by the 121st The 145th Air Transport Squadron was allotted to the Ohio Air National Guard by the National Guard Bureau to replace the 112th Fighter Bomber Squadron at Akron Canton Airport The 145th ATS gained by the Military Air Transport Service MATS received federal recognition on 17 March 1956 Initially assigned C 46D Commando twin engine propeller transports the squadron was upgraded in 1958 to C 119J Flying Boxcar transports fitted for aeromedical transport of personnel to medical facilities In early 1957 the 164th FBS sent their war weary F 84C Thunderjets to storage at Davis Monthan AFB Arizona and received new F 84F Thunderstreak swept wing interceptors Later in 1957 the 164th Fighter Bomber Squadron received the 1st Air Force Flying Safety Award for three consecutive years of accident free flying an impressive accomplishment as in the previous three years the squadron had flown three different types of aircraft The 166th was upgraded with new F 84F Thunderstreaks in November 1957 the gaining command of the squadron became Tactical Air Command TAC however it remained attached to Air Defense Command in a secondary role In 1959 the need for active duty Air Defense Command bases and regular Air Force fighter interceptor operations were diminishing and the intent to scale back operations at Youngstown AFB was announced on 28 October 1959 The Ohio Air National Guard moved the 121st FBG back to Lockbourne Air Force Base on 1 March 1960 1961 Berlin Crisis edit nbsp Former Ohio 166th TFS Republic F 84F 40 RE Thunderstreak Serial 52 6526 Today this aircraft is on permanent exhibit at the Museum of the United States Air Force Wright Patterson AFB Ohio The 121st Tactical Fighter Wing were called to active duty for a period of twelve months on 1 October When activated the federalized wing consisted of three operational units the 162d TFS at Springfield the 164th TFS at Mansfield and the 166th at Lockbourne The 112th TFS at Toledo and the 145th ATS at Akron were temporally attached directly to Ohio ANG Headquarters at Columbus for the period of federalization The mission of the activated 121st TFW was to reinforce the United States Air Forces in Europe USAFE and deploy to Etain Rouvres Air Base France a standby USAFE base However due to funding shortages only 26 F 84F Thunderstreaks of 166th TFS were deployed to France although several ground support units from the 162nd and 164th were also deployed On 4 November the first ANG T 33 aircraft arrived at Etain with the F 84s arriving on 16 November In July 1962 the deployed Air National Guardsmen were no longer needed in Europe and the 7121st began to redeploy its personnel to Ohio All the aircraft and support equipment however remained at Etain to equip a new wing being formed there the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing The last of the ANG personnel departed on 9 August 1962 1962 reorganization edit With the wing s return from France in 1962 the Ohio Air National Guard received authorization from the National Guard Bureau to expand its squadrons to groups This expansion had commenced in July 1961 when the 145th Air Transport Squadron was moved to Clinton County Air Force Base The 145th ATS was realigned to Tactical Air Command and became a C 97 Stratotanker air refueling squadron The runways at Akron could not support the large C 97 operation which forced a move to Clinton County AFB The 160th Air Refueling Group received federal recognition on 8 July 1961 The 178th Tactical Fighter Group received federal recognition on 15 October 1962 at Springfield The 162d Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred from the 121st TFG to become its operational squadron The 179th Tactical Fighter Group received federal recognition on 15 October 1962 at Mansfield The 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred from the 121st TFG to become its operational squadron The 180th Tactical Fighter Group received federal recognition on 15 October 1962 at Toledo The 112th Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred from the 121st TFG to become its operational squadron The 121st Tactical Fighter Group retained its 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Lockbourne AFB Vietnam War and late Cold War era edit nbsp 162d Tactical Fighter Squadron North American F 100F Super Sabre 56 3859 about 1975 In 1962 having left their Thunderstreaks in France the 166th TFS at Lockbourne was re equipped with F 100C Super Sabre fighter bombers which greatly enhanced its mission capabilities In 1964 the 160th ARG participated in Operation Ready Go the first all United States Air National Guard ANG non stop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe In 1965 the KC 97Gs were upgraded to KC 97Ls with addition of jet engine pods mounted to the outboard wings 1967 saw the beginning of Operation Creek Party a continuous rotational mission flying from Rhein Main Air Base West Germany providing air refueling to United States Air Forces in Europe USAFE tactical aircraft The success of this operation which would continue until 1975 demonstrated the ability of the Air National Guard to perform significant day to day missions without being mobilized It was taken over by the active duty Strategic Air Command 7th Air Force Along with the Kansas ANG F 100C 127th Tactical Fighter Squadron the 166th TFS was federalized and deployed to Kunsan Air Base South Korea The federalized ANG squadrons were assigned as part of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing The squadrons flew deterrent air defense missions over South Korean airspace during the next year During the deployment some pilots flew combat missions in South Vietnam while performing temporary assignments with other units The performance of the ANG units at Kusan in 1968 69 suggested the prerequisites of effective air reserve programs and paved the way for adoption of the total force policy in 1970 which exists today In 1971 the squadrons F 100Cs were retired and replaced by F 100D F Super Sabres being received from combat units in South Vietnam that were returning to the United States nbsp 166th TFS A 7D 72 260 about 1979 In the spring of 1970 the 178th TFG s F 84F Thunderstreaks were sent to Davis Monthan AFB for storage the squadron receiving Vietnam War veteran F 100D F Super Sabres Concentration on the qualifications of aircrews munitions load crews and the attainment of a C 3 combat readiness rating were the primary objectives for 1971 The group achieved C 3 on 30 August a first for F 100D equipped Air Guard units January 1972 saw the squadron in extensive practice for their pending 9th Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection ORI The ORI was conducted in March and the 9th Air Force did not agree with the unit s C 3 rating A retake was scheduled in June with the 162d TFS coming away with the TAC confirmed rating of C 1 the first F 100D squadron to achieve this feat In 1971 the 180th TFG retired its Thunderstreaks and also converted to the F 100 Super Sabre nbsp 164th Airlift Squadron C 130 Hercules In 1971 Clinton County Air Force Base was closed as a result of the Nixon Administration looking to save money because of the Vietnam War As part of the moving out of units from Clinton County AFB the 160th ARG was moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus Ohio In February 1972 the 179th TGS also retired its Thunderstreaks and converted to the F 100 Super Sabre The squadron flew the F 100s until the winter of 1976 when the 179th was transferred from Tactical Air Command to Military Airlift Command on 5 January At this time the unit converted to the C 130B Hercules and received a complement of eight aircraft With the change of equipment the unit was designated a Tactical Airlift Group In 1974 under the Total Force Policy Guard and Reserve units began to receive newer aircraft and equipment in the 1970s The 166th TFS began conversion to the A 7D Corsair II in December which brought with it additional missions The 178th TFG received the A 7D in January 1978 The conversion from the F 100 to the A 7 was accomplished in less than three months the fastest ever for an Air Force or Air National Guard unit The 179th TFG converted to A 7D in the summer of 1979In December 1974 Tactical Air Command transferred its air refueling units to Strategic Air Command In 1975 the 160th ARG became the first Air National Guard unit to convert to the Boeing KC 135 Stratotanker all jet tanker aircraft as part of SAC s Eighth Air Force The group was the first ANG unit to perform the SAC 24 hour Alert mission and pass a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection in July 1976 During the 1980s the squadrons and groups of the 121st were frequently deployed primarily to Europe during USAFE exercises The OH tailcode of the wing was a frequent sight at bases in England West Germany and other NATO air bases In 1989 while deployed at Panama for a Coronet Cove deployment 180th TFG A 7s were employed during Operation Just Cause 1990 Gulf Crisis edit nbsp 160th ARG KC 135 refuels two U S Navy Grumman F 14A Tomcat fighters from Fighter Squadron VF 74 In August 1990 the 160th Air Refueling Group was one of the first Air Guard units to deploy aircraft to the Middle East after Iraq s invasion of Kuwait Aircraft aircrews and support personnel began volunteer rotational Desert Shield deployments to a provisional Tanker Task Force at King Abdul Aziz Air Base Jeddah Saudi Arabia 1709th ARS P The 160th was called to active duty on 20 December 1990 Deployment began on 28 December and the 160th became part of three Provisional Air Refueling Wings at Al Banteen Air Base Abu Dhabi 1712th ARS P Al Dhafra Air Base Dubai 1705th ARS P and Jeddah Additional personnel augmented a regional support base at Moron Air Base Spain while others deployed to various bases to backfill for deployed active duty personnel Aircraft and volunteer aircrews were heavily involved in Air Bridge refueling missions supporting deployment of combat forces to Southwest Asia The 179th Airlift Group was active during Desert Shield Storm providing airlift support throughout the Continental United States and Europe Portions of the 179th were activated during Desert Shield Storm and served in the US Europe and Saudi Arabia The 164th Tactical Fighter Squadron 178th and 180th Tactical Fighter Groups did not deploy to Saudi Arabia in 1990 during Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm as the A 7Ds were considered a second line aircraft Ohio Air National Guard volunteers however were deployed to CENTAF during the crisis and subsequent combat operations Post Cold War reorganization edit After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 and Operation Desert Storm Air Force planners reorganized the major command structure and the organization of its units to reflect the new reality of the 1990s and also a smaller force after the end of the Cold War nbsp 112th Fighter Squadron General Dynamics F 16D Block 42F Fighting Falcon 89 2165 Strategic Air Command Military Airlift Command and Tactical Air Command were all inactivated In their place Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command became the gaining commands for the Ohio Air National Guard units effective 1 June 1992 The 160th Air Refueling Group became part of Air Combat Command In 1991 it was upgraded to the more fuel efficient KC 135R Stratotanker The 179th Airlift Group became part of Air Combat Command In 1991 it was upgraded to the C 130H Hercules The A 7D Corsair II ground support fighters were retired in 1992 and 1993 The 178th and 180th TFG received F 16C Fighting Falcon fighters and became part of Air Combat Command The 178th Fighter Group was the last United States military organization to fly the A 7D The 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Rickenbacker also retired its A 7Ds It was realigned as a KC 135 air refueling squadron in 1993 as part of Air Combat Combat Command The 121st also assumed Rickenbacker base support responsibilities In October 1993 the 121st Air Refueling Wing was consolidated with the 160th Air Refueling Group which was inactivated in the process With this consolidation the 121st became a Super Wing by gaining the 145th Air Refueling Squadron In October 1995 in accordance with the Air Force One Base One Wing directive the 121st was relieved of its Geographically separated Groups as they were changed in status to Wings reporting directly to the Ohio Air National Guard The 178th Fighter Wing stood up on 1 October 1995 the 179th Airlift Wing on 11 October 1995 and the 180th Fighter Wing also on 11 October 1995 nbsp A 121st Air Refueling Wing KC 135 refueling a B 2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Under the 121st ARW the 166th and 145th Air Refueling Squadrons began flying from bases in southern France to support strike aircraft during Operation Deny Flight missions over the Balkans The 121st was a fixture at Incirlik Air Base Turkey as well as Prince Sultan Air Base Saudi Arabia supporting Operations Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch respectively over Iraq Twenty first century edit After the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 the 121st Air Refueling Wing launched into immediate action supporting armed aircraft over the United States during Operation Noble Eagle The 121st ARW had the distinction of flying more missions than any other unit during this time The 121st ARW has also deployed and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan as well as the Iraq War after 2003 In addition to the combat deployments the unit has also been very heavily tasked with airlift missions during national emergencies Immediately following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 the 121st ARW was one of the first units to send aircraft into Louisiana filled with supplies and troops Similar missions were flown in September 2005 after Hurricane Rita In 2010 the wing commander Brigadier General Thomas Botchie was forced to resign after allegations of cronyism fraternization inappropriate conduct and sexual harassment were made against him by members of the wing and substantiated by an investigation Witnesses stated that fraternization and unprofessional relationships within the wing were widespread and also included another senior officer Colonel Stephen McMahon the wing s operations group commander 1 Lineage edit nbsp World War II 357th Fighter Group emblem nbsp 160th Air Refueling Group Desert Storm patch nbsp 178th Fighter Group A 7 Retirement patch Constituted as 357th Fighter Group on 1 December 1942 and activated the same day Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946 Re designated 121st Fighter Group and allotted to Ohio ANG on 21 August 1946 Extended federal recognition on 26 June 1948 Established as 121st Fighter Wing and allotted to Ohio ANG 31 October 1950 Organized and received federal recognition 1 November 1950 assuming personnel and equipment of 55th Fighter Wing Inactivated 121st Fighter Group assigned as subordinate unit dd Re designated 121st Fighter Bomber Wing 16 October 1952Group re designated 121st Fighter Bomber Group dd Re designated 121st Fighter Interceptor Wing 1 November 1952Group re designated 121st Fighter Interceptor Group dd Re designated 121st Fighter Bomber Wing 1 November 1957Group re designated 121st Fighter Bomber Group dd Re designated 121st Tactical Fighter Wing 1 September 1961Group re designated 121st Tactical Fighter Group dd Federalized and ordered to active service on 1 October 1961 Elements operated as 7121st Tactical Wing 4 November 1961 9 August 1962 Released from active duty and returned to Ohio state control 20 August 1952121st Tactical Fighter Group inactivated 30 June 1974 dd Re designated 121st Air Refueling Wing 16 January 1993Group re activated and re designated as 121st Operations Group dd Assignments edit IV Fighter Command 1 December 1942 66th Fighter Wing 31 January 1944 20 August 1946 55th Fighter Wing 26 June 1948 Ohio Air National Guard 1 November 1951 Gained by Eastern Air Defense Force Air Defense Command Gained by Tactical Air Command 1 November 1957 Ninth Air Force 1 October 1961 Elements attached to Seventeenth Air Force United States Air Forces in Europe 4 November 1961 9 August 1962 Ohio Air National Guard 10 August 1962 Gained by Tactical Air Command Gained by Air Combat Command 1 June 1992 Gained by Air Mobility Command 16 January 1993 Present Components edit 121st Fighter later Fighter Bomber Fighter Interceptor Tactical Fighter Group 1 November 1951 30 June 1974 160th Air Refueling Group 8 July 1961 1 October 1993 178th Tactical Fighter later Fighter Group 15 October 1962 1 October 1995 179th Tactical Fighter later Tactical Airlift Airlift Group 15 October 1962 11 October 1995 180th Tactical Fighter later Fighter Group 15 October 1962 11 October 1995 112th Fighter Squadron 2 December 1946 2 December 1946 10 July 1952 1 October 1961 1 September 15 October 1962 145th Air Transport later Aeromedical Airlift Air Refueling Squadron 17 March 1956 8 July 1961 1 October 1993 Present 149th Fighter Squadron 1 November 1950 28 February 1951 30 November 1952 30 September 1961 1 September 14 October 1962 Virginia ANG 362d Fighter Squadron G4 1 December 1942 20 August 1946 Re designated 162d Fighter Squadron 26 June 1948 15 October 1962 363d Fighter Squadron B6 1 December 1942 20 August 1946 Re designated 164th Fighter Squadron 26 June 1948 15 October 1962 364th Fighter Squadron C5 1 December 1942 20 August 1946 Re designated 166th Fighter later Fighter Interceptor Fighter Bomber Tactical Fighter Fighter Air Refueling Squadron 26 June 1948 26 January 1968 18 June 1969 Present 167th Fighter Squadron 10 July 1952 30 March 1961 West Virginia ANG Stations edit Hamilton Field California 1 December 1942 Tonopah Army Airfield Nevada 6 March 1943 Santa Rosa Army Airfield California 3 June 1943 Oroville Army Airfield California 18 August 1943 Casper Army Airfield Wyoming 7 Oct 9 Nov 1943 RAF Raydon AAF 157 England 1 December 1943 RAF Leiston AAF 373 England 1 February 1944 AAF Station Neubiberg Germany 20 Jul 1945 20 Aug 1946 Lockbourne Army Airfield Ohio 10 November 1947 Re designated Lockbourne Air Force Base Ohio 13 January 1948 Youngstown Municipal Airport Ohio 31 October 1952 Lockbourne Air Force Base Ohio 1 March 1960 Operated from Etain Rouvres Air Base France 4 November 1961 9 August 1962 Operated from Kunsan Air Base South Korea 2 July 1968 14 June 1970 Re designated Rickenbacker Air Force Base 18 May 1974 Re designated Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base 1 April 1980 Present Aircraft edit P 39 Airacobra 1943 P 51B C D K Mustang 1943 1946 F 51D Mustang 1947 1948 F 51H Mustang 1948 1950 1952 1954 F 84C Thunderjet 1950 1952 RB 26C Invader 1950 1952 F 80C Shooting Star 1954 1955 F 84E Thunderjet 1955 1958 F 84F Thunderjet 1957 1962 F 100C Super Sabre 1962 1971 F 100D F Super Sabre 1971 1974 A 7D K Corsair II 1974 1993 KC 135R Stratotanker 1993 presentReferences edit nbsp Ohio portal nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Fontaine Scott Report Sexual relationships rampant in wing Military Times 18 April 2011 Fontaine Scott Report details 1 star s inappropriate conduct Military Times 18 April 2011 Maurer Maurer Air Force Combat Units of World War II Office of Air Force history 1961 ISBN 0 405 12194 6 Rogers B 2006 United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978 ISBN 1 85780 197 0 Maurer Maurer Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama Office of Air Force History 1982 McLaren David 2004 Lockheed P 80 F 80 Shooting Star A Photo Chronicle Schiffer Publishing Ltd First Edition ISBN 0887409075 McLaren David Republic F 84 Thunderjet Thunderstreak amp Thunderflash A Photo Chronicle Atglen PA Schiffer Military Aviation History 1998 ISBN 0 7643 0444 5 Ohio Air National Guard 60 Year History Copyright 1988 Published by Headquarters Ohio Air National Guard Crossroads of Liberty Copyright 2008 by Robert M Stroup II Published by Pictorial Histories Publishing Co Inc ISBN 978 1 57510 133 0 Cornett Lloyd H and Johnson Mildred W A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946 1980 Office of History Aerospace Defense Center Peterson AFB CO 1980 Archived 13 February 2016 at the Wayback MachineExternal links edithttp www 121arw ang af mil Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 121st Air Refueling Wing amp oldid 1205331216, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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