906th Air Refueling Squadron

906th Air Refueling Squadron
A KC-135R Stratotanker of the 108th Air Refueling Squadron. The 906th is an Active Associate of the 108th.
Active	1941–1945; 1959-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Air Refueling
Part of	Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 375th Air Mobility Wing 375th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	Scott Air Force Base, Illinois
Motto(s)	Global Refueling
Engagements	Aleutian Islands Campaign Operation Carpetbagger
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Insignia
906th Air Refueling Squadron emblem	(approved 10 July 1961)

The 906th Air Refueling Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It is an active associate squadron and part of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

The squadron was first activated in United States military buildup just before World War II as the 16th Reconnaissance Squadron. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron participated in the Antisubmarine Campaign of the American Theater of Operations. As the 406th Bombardment Squadron it also served in the Aleutian Islands Campaign of the Pacific Theater of Operations and several campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. The squadron was unusual in that it received campaign credit in three difference theaters of operation.

The 906th Air Refueling Squadron was activated as part of Strategic Air Command's nuclear deterrent force. It maintained aircraft on alert throughout the Cold War. The squadron deployed aircrews and aircraft to support combat operations in Southeast Asia from the mid 1960s through the early 1970s. It also supported numerous contingency operations from its bases in the northern United States and forward operating locations until moving to Scott in 2009 and becoming an active associate unit of the Illinois Air National Guard.

The 906th operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions. It is an active associate unit and the airmen of the 906th operate and maintain the aircraft of the 126th Air Refueling Wing and fly with the 108th Air Refueling Squadron of the Illinois Air National Guard.