153d Observation Squadron
| 153d Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
Mississippi Air National Guard 153d Air Refueling Squadron KC-135E 59-1446, Key Field Air National Guard Base.
|
|
| Active | 27 September 1939 – present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Allegiance |
 Mississippi
|
| Branch |
 Air National Guard
|
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Air Refueling |
| Part of | Mississippi Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | Key Field Air National Guard Base, Meridian, Mississippi |
| Tail Code | Black tail stripe, "Mississippi" in yellow letters |
| Engagements |
World War II World War I |
| Insignia | |
| 153d Air Refueling Squadron Emblem |  |
The 153d Air Refueling Squadron (153 ARS) is a unit of the Mississippi Air National Guard 186th Air Refueling Wing located at Key Field Air National Guard Base, Mississippi. The 153d is equipped with the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.
The squadron is a descendant organization of the 153d Observation Squadron, one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.
The squadrons aircraft are eight KC-135R Stratotankers. The mission of the squadron is to provide air refueling support to major commands of the United States Air Force, as well as other U.S. military forces and the military forces of allied nations.
Activated as part of the Mississippi National Guard in 1939 by the National Guard Bureau. Equipped with Douglas O-38 observation aircraft. Ordered to active service on 15 October 1940 as part of the buildup of the Army Air Corps prior to the United States entry into World War II. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, was attached to Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, performed anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico until August 1943 when the mission was turned over to the United States Navy.
Transferred to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), August 1943. Assigned to Ninth Air Force as a photographic reconnaissance unit. After the Normandy Invasion in June 1944, because a liaison and courier unit flying light aircraft until the end of the war in Europe. Inactivated during December 1945 in Germany.
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