117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group

117th Operations Group
group KC-135 Stratotanker with refueling boom extended
Active	1946–1952; 1952–1959; 1962–1974; 1992–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Alabama
Branch	Air National Guard
Role	Air Refueling
Part of	Alabama Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base, Alabama
Motto(s)	Defend and Serve Any Time, Any Place (1960s)
Insignia
117th Air Refueling Wing emblem
Patch with 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group emblem
Original 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group emblem (approved 30 November 1953)
Tail markings	White stripe, "Alabama" in red letters

The 117th Operations Group is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard, stationed at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base, Alabama. If activated into federal service, it is gained by Air Mobility Command.

The group 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. Combat ready intelligence technical support is also available for worldwide assignment. The group supports state and local contingencies when directed by the Governor of Alabama.

The 117th Operations Group consists of the following units:

In May 1946, the Army Air Forces redesignated 27 of its combat groups and allotted them to the National Guard. One of these groups was the 354th Fighter Group, which became the 117th Fighter Group. However, in 1956, the Air Force decided to return the 354th Group to the active force. To accomplish this, the 1946 redesignation and allotment was rescinded on 26 September 1956, effective 24 March 1946. The same order constituted the 117th Fighter Group effective on 24 March 1946, severing any relation between the two units.

The 117th Fighter Group was extended federal recognition by the National Guard Bureau on 1 October 1947 at Birmingham Municipal Airport, Alabama. As they were organized and received federal recognition, the 153d Fighter Squadron of the Mississippi National Guard, the 157th Fighter Squadron of the South Carolina National Guard and the 160th Fighter Squadron of the Alabama National Guard were assigned. Training was initially supervised by Air Defense Command, but on 1 July 1948, Continental Air Command assumed responsibility for training Guard and Reserve units.