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185th Air Refueling Wing

January 31, 2023

The 185th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Iowa Air National Guard, stationed at Colonel Bud Day Field, Sioux City, Iowa. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

185th Air Refueling Wing
185th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotankers on the ramp at Sioux City Air National Guard Base
Active1962-present
Country United States
Allegiance Iowa
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeWing
RoleAir Refueling
Size900+
Part ofIowa Air National Guard
Garrison/HQColonel Bud Day Field, Sioux City, Iowa
Tail CodeYellow Tail Stripe "Sioux City" in black letters
Commanders
Current
commander		Col. Mark Muckey
Insignia
185th Air Refueling Wing emblem

Mission

The mission of the 185th Wing is to provide air refueling and mobility sustainment in support of the global mission of the Air Force. As a community-based organization the wing and its subordinate units are also tasked to support the state of Iowa in the event of a state emergency.[citation needed]

Units

The 185th Air Refueling Wing consists of the following major units:

  • 185th Operations Group
174th Air Refueling Squadron
  • 185th Mission Support Group
  • 185th Maintenance Group
  • 185th Medical Group

History

The wing was first organized on 1 October 1962 as the 185th Tactical Fighter Group as a single headquarters for the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron and its support units. This reorganization nearly doubled the authorized personnel of the Air National Guard at Sioux City Municipal Airport to over 800 officers and airmen. This era would also mark the longest continuous period the group flew one model aircraft. The 185th flew the North American F-100 Super Sabre from its establishment until 1977, a period of 15 years.

Vietnam era

On 26 January 1968, the 185th was called to active Federal service as a result of the Pueblo Crisis. During its active duty period, the group moved to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, but became little more than a paper unit. Its 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, augmented by other personnel from the group, deployed with their F-100s to Phù Cát Air Base, South Vietnam on 11 May 1968 where it was assigned to the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing.[1] During the course of the next 90 days, the balance of the 185th was deployed to six military bases in South Korea and others in the United States. During its year in South Vietnam, the 174th flew 6,539 combat sorties totaling 11,359 hours of combat time. The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Individually, its members were awarded 12 Silver Stars, 35 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 30 Bronze Star Medals, 115 Air Force Commendation Medals, 325 Air Medals, and 1 Purple Heart.[citation needed]

While at Phù Cát, one pilot that flew one of the 174th's planes was Dick Rutan. Dick went on to become the first pilot to take a non-stop unrefuelled trip around the world. Dick was also one of the Misty FACs, a top-secret squadron that flew high-risk missions during their tours. Another member of this famous squadron was Medal of Honor recipient Colonel George "Bud" Day, for whom the airfield in Sioux City is named.

All personnel and aircraft were released from active duty in May 1969 and returned to Sioux City. Vietnam also spawned the nickname Bats. The "Bat" depicted on the tails of the aircraft and the shoulder patch of the pilots became a legendary symbol of the 185th when its 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron was called to duty in Vietnam. "Bat" was the call sign of the 174th. The other symbol often associated with the squadron has been the Indian Chief that is part of the unit patch as well as part of the paint work on the aircraft.

A-7D Corsair IIs

In 1977, the 185th converted to the LTV A-7D Corsair II. While flying the A-7Ds, the unit won the Spaatz Trophy for the second time in 1990, recognizing them as the best Air Guard unit in the country. The Unit also was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit award five times; in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 and in 1991. In addition, the 185th's Logistics Group was a two-time winner of the Daedalian Trophy which recognizes the best maintenance team in the Aior Guard. In 1989, the 185th won the Twelfth Air Force A-7 gunnery meet for the second time. Also in 1989, the 185th received the Gunsmoke A-7 Maintenance Team Award for its aircraft.[citation needed]

Modern era

On 19 December 1991, the group received General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons. On 16 March 1992, the 185th Tactical Fighter Group was redesignated the 185th Fighter Group. One month later, the unit was rated operational with the Fighting Falcon. As the Air Force and Air Guard standardized unit structures under the Objective Wing concept, the 185th was designated the 185th Fighter Wing. The F-16 "Fighting Falcon" would be the last jet that the unit would fly before conversion to KC-135E tankers in 2003. The 185th continued to be an award-winning unit. In 1994, the unit gained the Winston P. Wilson Award as well as the Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Unit Award. In 1999, Congress appropriated $6.5 million for the Air National Guard Aircraft Paint Facility located on base.

The wing was redesignated the 185th Air Refueling Wing. In November 2003, the first all Sioux City crew flew a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker out of Sioux City. Within a year, the 185th was flying refueling missions from Geilenkirchen, Germany supporting Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 2007, the 185th began transitioning from the KC-135E to the KC-135R model.

Today, the 185th consists of nearly 900 members that include traditional guardsman, full-time military, air technicians and state contract employees.

Operations and decorations

  • Spaatz Trophy (1990)
  • Presidential Unit Citation (1968)
  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (1968, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2008, and 2009)
  • 185th Logistics Group-Daedalian Trophy (2-time winner)
  • Winston P. Wilson Award (1994)
  • Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Unit Award (1994)[citation needed]

Lineage

  • Established as the 185th Tactical Fighter Group on 11 September 1962
Organized on 1 October 1962
Ordered into active service on 26 January 1968
Relieved from active duty and returned to the control of the state of Iowa on 28 May 1969
Redesignated 185th Fighter Group on 16 March 1992
Redesignated 185th Fighter Wing on 1 May 1992
Redesignated 185th Air Refueling Wing on 1 November 2003

Assignments

Mobilization gaining commands
Tactical Air Command, 1 October 1962
Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992
Air Mobility Command, 1 November 2003 – present

Components

  • 185th Operations Group, 1 June 1992 – Present
  • 185th Logistics Group (later 185th Maintenance Group), 1 June 1992 – Present
  • 185th Support Group (later 185th Mission Group), 1 June 1992 – Present
  • 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron (later 174th Fighter Squadron, 174th Air Refueling Squadron), 1 October 1962 – 26 January 1968; 29 May 1969 – Present

Stations

Aircraft

  • North American F-100C Super Sabre (1962–1977)
  • LTV A-7D Corsair (1977–1991)
  • General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (1992–2002)
  • Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker (2002–2007)
  • Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (2007 – present)

Aircraft flying in this unit

KC-135

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ Ravenstein, p. 65
  2. ^ a b . Air Force Historical Research Agency. 11 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2014.

Bibliography

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

  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
  • Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 185th Air Refueling Wing (Iowa Air National Guard).

January 31, 2023
185th, refueling, wing, unit, iowa, national, guard, stationed, colonel, field, sioux, city, iowa, activated, federal, service, wing, gained, united, states, force, mobility, command, 135r, stratotankers, ramp, sioux, city, national, guard, baseactive1962, pre. The 185th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Iowa Air National Guard stationed at Colonel Bud Day Field Sioux City Iowa If activated to federal service the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command 185th Air Refueling Wing185th Air Refueling Wing KC 135R Stratotankers on the ramp at Sioux City Air National Guard BaseActive1962 presentCountry United StatesAllegiance IowaBranch Air National GuardTypeWingRoleAir RefuelingSize900 Part ofIowa Air National GuardGarrison HQColonel Bud Day Field Sioux City IowaTail CodeYellow Tail Stripe Sioux City in black lettersCommandersCurrentcommanderCol Mark MuckeyInsignia185th Air Refueling Wing emblem Contents 1 Mission 2 Units 3 History 3 1 Vietnam era 3 2 A 7D Corsair IIs 3 3 Modern era 3 4 Operations and decorations 4 Lineage 4 1 Assignments 4 2 Components 4 3 Stations 4 4 Aircraft 4 5 Aircraft flying in this unit 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Citations 5 3 Bibliography 6 External linksMission EditThe mission of the 185th Wing is to provide air refueling and mobility sustainment in support of the global mission of the Air Force As a community based organization the wing and its subordinate units are also tasked to support the state of Iowa in the event of a state emergency citation needed Units EditThe 185th Air Refueling Wing consists of the following major units 185th Operations Group174th Air Refueling Squadron185th Mission Support Group 185th Maintenance Group 185th Medical GroupHistory EditThe wing was first organized on 1 October 1962 as the 185th Tactical Fighter Group as a single headquarters for the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron and its support units This reorganization nearly doubled the authorized personnel of the Air National Guard at Sioux City Municipal Airport to over 800 officers and airmen This era would also mark the longest continuous period the group flew one model aircraft The 185th flew the North American F 100 Super Sabre from its establishment until 1977 a period of 15 years Vietnam era Edit On 26 January 1968 the 185th was called to active Federal service as a result of the Pueblo Crisis During its active duty period the group moved to Cannon Air Force Base New Mexico but became little more than a paper unit Its 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron augmented by other personnel from the group deployed with their F 100s to Phu Cat Air Base South Vietnam on 11 May 1968 where it was assigned to the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing 1 During the course of the next 90 days the balance of the 185th was deployed to six military bases in South Korea and others in the United States During its year in South Vietnam the 174th flew 6 539 combat sorties totaling 11 359 hours of combat time The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Individually its members were awarded 12 Silver Stars 35 Distinguished Flying Crosses 30 Bronze Star Medals 115 Air Force Commendation Medals 325 Air Medals and 1 Purple Heart citation needed While at Phu Cat one pilot that flew one of the 174th s planes was Dick Rutan Dick went on to become the first pilot to take a non stop unrefuelled trip around the world Dick was also one of the Misty FACs a top secret squadron that flew high risk missions during their tours Another member of this famous squadron was Medal of Honor recipient Colonel George Bud Day for whom the airfield in Sioux City is named All personnel and aircraft were released from active duty in May 1969 and returned to Sioux City Vietnam also spawned the nickname Bats The Bat depicted on the tails of the aircraft and the shoulder patch of the pilots became a legendary symbol of the 185th when its 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron was called to duty in Vietnam Bat was the call sign of the 174th The other symbol often associated with the squadron has been the Indian Chief that is part of the unit patch as well as part of the paint work on the aircraft A 7D Corsair IIs Edit In 1977 the 185th converted to the LTV A 7D Corsair II While flying the A 7Ds the unit won the Spaatz Trophy for the second time in 1990 recognizing them as the best Air Guard unit in the country The Unit also was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit award five times in 1985 1986 1987 1989 and in 1991 In addition the 185th s Logistics Group was a two time winner of the Daedalian Trophy which recognizes the best maintenance team in the Aior Guard In 1989 the 185th won the Twelfth Air Force A 7 gunnery meet for the second time Also in 1989 the 185th received the Gunsmoke A 7 Maintenance Team Award for its aircraft citation needed Modern era Edit On 19 December 1991 the group received General Dynamics F 16 Fighting Falcons On 16 March 1992 the 185th Tactical Fighter Group was redesignated the 185th Fighter Group One month later the unit was rated operational with the Fighting Falcon As the Air Force and Air Guard standardized unit structures under the Objective Wing concept the 185th was designated the 185th Fighter Wing The F 16 Fighting Falcon would be the last jet that the unit would fly before conversion to KC 135E tankers in 2003 The 185th continued to be an award winning unit In 1994 the unit gained the Winston P Wilson Award as well as the Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Unit Award In 1999 Congress appropriated 6 5 million for the Air National Guard Aircraft Paint Facility located on base The wing was redesignated the 185th Air Refueling Wing In November 2003 the first all Sioux City crew flew a Boeing KC 135 Stratotanker out of Sioux City Within a year the 185th was flying refueling missions from Geilenkirchen Germany supporting Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization In 2007 the 185th began transitioning from the KC 135E to the KC 135R model Today the 185th consists of nearly 900 members that include traditional guardsman full time military air technicians and state contract employees Operations and decorations Edit Spaatz Trophy 1990 Presidential Unit Citation 1968 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1968 1985 1986 1987 1989 1991 2008 and 2009 185th Logistics Group Daedalian Trophy 2 time winner Winston P Wilson Award 1994 Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Unit Award 1994 citation needed Lineage EditEstablished as the 185th Tactical Fighter Group on 11 September 1962Organized on 1 October 1962 Ordered into active service on 26 January 1968 Relieved from active duty and returned to the control of the state of Iowa on 28 May 1969 Redesignated 185th Fighter Group on 16 March 1992 Redesignated 185th Fighter Wing on 1 May 1992 Redesignated 185th Air Refueling Wing on 1 November 2003Assignments Edit 140th Tactical Fighter Wing 1 October 1962 832d Air Division 26 January 1968 2 140th Tactical Fighter Wing 29 May 1969 132d Tactical Fighter Wing 1 June 1969 Iowa Air National Guard 16 March 1992 PresentMobilization gaining commands Tactical Air Command 1 October 1962 Air Combat Command 1 June 1992 Air Mobility Command 1 November 2003 presentComponents Edit 185th Operations Group 1 June 1992 Present 185th Logistics Group later 185th Maintenance Group 1 June 1992 Present 185th Support Group later 185th Mission Group 1 June 1992 Present 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron later 174th Fighter Squadron 174th Air Refueling Squadron 1 October 1962 26 January 1968 29 May 1969 PresentStations Edit Sioux City Municipal Airport 1 October 1962 Cannon Air Force Base 26 January 1968 2 Sioux City Municipal Airport Later Sioux City Air National Guard Base also Colonel Bud Day Field 29 May 1969 presentAircraft Edit North American F 100C Super Sabre 1962 1977 LTV A 7D Corsair 1977 1991 General Dynamics F 16 Fighting Falcon 1992 2002 Boeing KC 135E Stratotanker 2002 2007 Boeing KC 135R Stratotanker 2007 present Aircraft flying in this unit Edit KC 135References Edit Iowa portalNotes Edit Citations Edit Ravenstein p 65 a b Factsheet 832 Air Division Air Force Historical Research Agency 11 October 2007 Archived from the original on 30 October 2012 Retrieved 25 March 2014 Bibliography Edit This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Ravenstein Charles A 1984 Air Force Combat Wings Lineage amp Honors Histories 1947 1977 Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 12 9 Rogers Brian 2005 United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978 Hinkley UK Midland Publications ISBN 1 85780 197 0 External links EditHistory and Lineage 185th Air Refueling Celebration of the Iowa ANG s 60 years permanent dead link 1 Wikimedia Commons has media related to 185th Air Refueling Wing Iowa Air National Guard Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 185th Air Refueling Wing amp oldid 1134810263, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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