191st Air Refueling Squadron
191st Air Refueling Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1943–present |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Utah |
Branch | Air National Guard |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Air Refueling |
Part of | Utah Air National Guard |
Garrison/HQ | Roland R. Wright National Guard Base, Salt Lake City, Utah |
Nickname(s) | Salty Guard Ruddy Ducks |
Tail Code | White block "UTAH" on blue background |
Insignia | |
191st Air Refueling Squadron |
The 191st Air Refueling Squadron (191 ARS) is a unit of the
History
World War II
Activated in October 1943 as the 407th Fighter Squadron at
Inactivated in November 1945.
Utah Air National Guard
The wartime 407th Fighter Squadron was re-activated and re-designated as the 191st Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to the Utah Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Salt Lake City Municipal Airport, Utah and was extended federal recognition on 18 November 1946 by the National Guard Bureau. The 191st Fighter Squadron was entitled to the history, honors, and colors of the 407th Fighter Squadron. The squadron was equipped with
Korean War activation
As a result of the Korean War, the 191st Fighter Squadron was federalized and brought to active duty on 1 April 1951 and assigned to the 140th Fighter Wing. The unit was ordered to the new
During their period of federal service, many pilots were sent to Japan and South Korea to reinforce active-duty units, 10 pilots flew over 100 missions, and two Utah pilots were killed in this war. One Utah ANG pilot, Capt. Clifford Jolley, flying an F-86 Sabrejet, shot down seven soviet made MIG-15 aircraft and became the first Air Guard "Ace" of the Korean War.
At Clovis, elements of the 140th FBW took part in Operation Tumbler-Snapper – 1952, a nuclear bomb test in Nevada. On 15 November 1952, the elements of the 140th returned to Air National Guard control in their respective states.
Cold War
Upon return to Utah state control, the 191st was re-equipped by
On 1 July 1958, the 191st was authorized to expand to a group level, and the
Also, in 1958, the 151st FIW implemented the ADC Runway Alert Program, in which interceptors of the 191st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron were committed to a five-minute runway alert. The F-86s were replaced by the
Transport mission
On 1 April 1961, the 151st was transferred from Air Defense Command to the
Air Refueling
The 151st Military Airlift Group was transferred to
The 1980s found the squadron involved in many training exercises as well as "real World" flying missions. In 1982 the unit converted to a newer version model aircraft—the KC-135E. In April 1983 the 191st Air Refueling Squadron was involved in the first Pacific Tanker Task Force, with flights to Guam, South Korea and Australia. Spring of 1984 brought a very large "first" for the 1191st Air Refueling Squadron. The unit participated in Coronet Giant, an exercise which entailed a direct flight from the United States to West Germany by 12, A-10 Thunderbolt II attack fighters, refueled along the way by three KC-135's from the 191st The route spanned 3600 miles, and was the largest mission of this type ever undertaken by a guard force.
During
On 30 April 1999, the 151st ARG was tasked for a Presidential Reserve Call Up due to the crisis in Kosovo. President William Clinton authorized the call up of 33,000 reserve personnel for up to 270 days. The 191st deployed to Europe to support
Global War on Terrorism
Following the terrorist's attacks on the United States the squadron was tasked to provide aerial refueling support for the countless fighter combat air patrols performed over major U.S. cities. Dubbed Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), the 191st ARS flew their first ONE mission on 12 September 2001. The highest sortie production occurred in November when fighter combat air patrols occurred every four hours over most of the major U.S. cities.
In addition to supporting ONE, the 191st ARS also provided support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), deploying aircraft and personnel to Spain to support combat air operations from late Sep 2001 until the spring of 2002.
At home, local communities see many benefits from the Utah ANG. Many opportunities exist to meet legitimate military training needs while serving the community. Activities include Sub-for-Santa, Blood Drives, highway cleanup, and the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Utah ANG also maintains a state of readiness should Utah need support during an earthquake, flood, civil disturbance, or major disaster, and was involved in assisting evacuees in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Lineage
- Constituted 407th Fighter Squadron on 12 October 1943
- Activated on 15 October 1943
- Re-designated: 407th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 5 April 1944
- Re-designated: 407th Fighter Squadron on 5 June 1944
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
- Re-designated: 191st Fighter Squadron, and allotted to Utah ANG, on 24 May 1946
- Extended federal recognition on 18 November 1946
- Federalized and placed on active duty, 1 April 1951
- Re-designated: 191st Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 12 Apr 1951
- Released from active duty and returned to Utah state control, 15 November 1952
- Re-designated: 191st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 June 1955
- Re-designated: 191st Air Transport Squadron on 1 April 1961
- Re-designated: 191st Military Airlift Squadron on 8 January 1966
- Re-designated: 191st Air Refueling Squadron on 1 July 1972
Assignments
- 372d Fighter Group, 1 July 1943 – 7 November 1945
- 144th Fighter Group, 18 November 1946
- 144th Fighter Wing, 31 October 1950
- 144th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 12 April 1951
- 144th Fighter-Interceptor Wingon 1 July 1955
- 151st Fighter-Interceptor Group, 1 July 1958
- 151st Air Transport Group, 1 April 1961
- 151st Military Airlift Group, 8 January 1966
- 151st Air Refueling Group, 1 July 1972
- 151st Operations Group, 1 October 1995
Stations
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Aircraft
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Aircraft flying in this unit
KC-135
58-0080(E) (Jul'92); 59-1489(E) (May'92)
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ "Utah Air National Guard base will be renamed for war hero Roland R. Wright". National Guard. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, AL: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Rogers, B. (2006). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. ISBN 1-85780-197-0
- official website history