117th Air Refueling Wing
| 117th Air Refueling Wing | |
|---|---|
106th ARS KC-135 with refueling boom extended
|
|
| Active | October 1, 1947 – present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Allegiance |
 Alabama
|
| Branch |
 Air National Guard
|
| Type | Wing |
| Role | Air Refueling |
| Part of | Alabama Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Birmingham Air National Guard Base, Alabama |
| Nickname(s) | "Dixie Refuelers", formerly "Recce Rebels" |
| Tail Code | White tail stripe, "Alabama" in red letters |
| Insignia | |
| 117th Air Refueling Wing emblem |  |
The 117th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard, stationed at Birmingham Air National Guard Base, Alabama. If activated to federal service, it is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.
The 106th Air Refueling Squadron, assigned to the Wings 117th Operations Group, is a descendant organization of the World War I 106th Aero Squadron, established on 27 August 1917. It was reactivated in 1922, and as the 106th Observation Squadron was one of 29 National Guard observation squadrons formed before World War II.
The 117th Air Refueling Wing flies the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker. Its mission is to train and equip combat ready aircrews and support personnel to perform worldwide air refueling and airlift missions. Combat ready civil engineering, support services, medical, personnel, communications and Intelligence technical support packages of the wing are available for worldwide assignment. the wing supports state and local contingencies when directed by the Governor of Alabama.
The 117th Air Refueling Wing consists of the following units:
The 117th Fighter Group was extended federal recognition on 1 October 1947 at Birmingham Municipal Airport, Alabama. In the fall of 1950, the group was called to active federal service. The group moved to Lawson Air Force Base, Georgia and began to train as a tactical reconnaissance unit. However, the group and its support organizations were not organized under the Wing Base organization of the regular Air Force, which combined tactical and support organizations under a single headquarters.
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Wikipedia