351st Air Refueling Squadron
351st Air Refueling Squadron
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Insignia | |
351st Air Refueling Squadron emblem[b][1] | ![]() |
Patch with 351st Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)[2] | ![]() |
World War II fuselage code | EP (1942–1945) |
Tail code | Square D (100th Group, World War II, 1992–present)[3] |
The 351st Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England. Since 1992, it has operated the Boeing KC-135R/T Stratotanker aircraft conducting primarily aerial refueling but also airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions.
The
The squadron was briefly active in the reserve from 1947 to 1949, but does not appear to have been fully equipped or manned. It served between 1956 and 1966 with Strategic Air Command as a bombardment unit, flying Boeing B-47 Stratojets.
History
World War II
Organization and training for combat
The
As a result, the squadron only began organizing in October 1942, after it had moved to
The 351st completed its training and departed
Combat in the European Theater
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/100thbombgroup-b17s-1.jpg/220px-100thbombgroup-b17s-1.jpg)
The squadron established itself at its combat station,
From January to May 1944, the 351st attacked airfields, industrial targets,
The squadron was occasionally diverted from strategic bombing to perform
The squadron flew its last mission on 20 April 1945.
"Bloody Hundredth"
Starting with the Regensburg mission of August 1943, the squadrons of the 100th Bombardment Group began suffering losses among the highest in
Air Force reserve
The squadron was again activated in the
President Truman’s reduced 1949 defense budget required reductions in the number of Air Force units.[18] As a result, the 351st was inactivated[1] as manned flying operations at Orlando Air Force Base ceased.
Strategic Air Command bombardment operations
The unit was reactivated under
The squadron flew the B-47 for about a decade when by the mid-1960s it had become obsolete and vulnerable to new Soviet air defenses. The squadron began to send its Stratojets to AMARC at Davis–Monthan AFB, Arizona, for retirement in 1965, and the unit was inactivated on 25 June 1966, one of the last B-47 Squadrons.[1]
Air refueling in Europe
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/KC-135R_at_Sola_Air_Station_3.jpg/220px-KC-135R_at_Sola_Air_Station_3.jpg)
The unit was reactivated at
In April 1996, the 351st contributed to Operation Assured Response, deploying three KC-135s to Dakar-Yoff International Airport, Senegal, to help support the evacuation of U.S. citizens and third country nationals from Liberia after fighting flared up in Monrovia during the First Liberian Civil War.[22][23]
In March 1998, the 351st participated in Exercise Strong Resolve 98 at Sola Air Station, Norway.[24] After the European Tanker Task Force was ended on 28 November 1998, the number of KC-135s assigned to the 351st was increased to 15 tankers.[25] In 1999, the squadron supported Operation Allied Force, NATO intervention during the Kosovo War, as the 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron.[26]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/EGUL_-_Boeing_KC-135R_Stratotanker_-_United_States_Air_Force_-_58-0100_D_%2846531552925%29.jpg/220px-EGUL_-_Boeing_KC-135R_Stratotanker_-_United_States_Air_Force_-_58-0100_D_%2846531552925%29.jpg)
In October 2001, the 351st EARS deployed 12 tankers: four to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey; another four to Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany; and a final four to Souda Bay, Greece, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).[27] On 23 November 2001, KC-135s deployed to Burgas Airport in Bulgaria, from where they conducted OEF missions.[28]
In March 2011, the 351st Air Refueling Squadron deployed a portion of its KC-135 Stratotanker fleet to
Since 2013, the 351st EARS, has regularly deployed to Morón Air Base, Spain in support of Operation Juniper Micron – which aims to assist French operations in Mali.[30][31] The first deployment occurred on 13 January 2013.[32] In June 2013, the 351st ARS refuelled three Luftwaffe McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom IIs of Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 71 "Richthofen" on their last air-to-air refueling sortie before their retirement on 29 June 2013.[33] In October 2014, the 351st was awarded the 2013 Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Trophy, which is given to the best USAF air refueling squadron, becoming the first unit based outside of the United States to win the award.[34]
On 22 February 2019, a KC-135R of the squadron participated in a flypast over Sheffield to mark the 75th anniversary of the crash of B-17G Mi Amigo, which saw the loss of all ten crew on board.[35]
Between 29 September and 1 October 2020, the 351st ARS conducted Exercise Wolff Pack, a surge operation to test the 100th ARW's ability to deploy its aircraft to multiple areas across Europe, which included an elephant walk of 12 of the squadron's 15 KC-135s.[36] The 351st ARS participated in the 2020 Nigeria hostage rescue on 31 October, forward deploying six tankers to Morón Air Base from where they provided air refueling support for the operation.[37]
In May 2021, the 351st was awarded the 2020 Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Trophy, winning it for a second time.
The
Commemerative nose art
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/EGUN_-_Boeing_KC-135R_Stratotanker_-_United_States_Air_Force_-_58-0001_D_Our_Gal_Sal_%2845221187774%29.jpg/220px-EGUN_-_Boeing_KC-135R_Stratotanker_-_United_States_Air_Force_-_58-0001_D_Our_Gal_Sal_%2845221187774%29.jpg)
The 15 squadron KC-135R/T tankers typically wear nose art to reflect the 100th Wing's history as a bombardment group during WWII.[20][h]
In 2019, to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord, two KC-135Rs received special schemes to reflect the squadron's participation in 1944.[44]
In May 2021, nose art (Skipper III) was unveiled on KC-135R, serial 59-1470 in honor of 100th BG Master Sergeant Dewey Christopher, who maintained B-17s Skipper and Skipper II during World War II.[45] Another tanker (serial 58-0089) was unveiled the following month in dedication of Lt. Col. Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, who was assigned to the 100th Group between September 1943 and September 1944.[46]
In October 2023, nose art (Squawkin Hawk) was unveiled on KC-135R 59-1511 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Black Week, where the Eighth Air Force suffered heavy losses.[47] The original Squawkin Hawk was the first B-17 of the 100th Bombardment Group to fly 50 combat missions.[48]
Lineage
- Constituted as the 351st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942
- Activated on 1 June 1942
- Redesignated 351st Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 20 August 1943
- Inactivated on 15 December 1945
- Redesignated 351st Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 3 July 1947
- Activated in the reserve on 17 July 1947
- Inactivated on 27 June 1949
- Redesignated 351st Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 1 August 1955
- Activated on 1 January 1956
- Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1966
- Redesignated 351st Air Refueling Squadron on 26 March 1992
- Activated on 31 March 1992[1]
Assignments
- 100th Bombardment Group, 1 June 1942 – 15 December 1945
- 100th Bombardment Group, 17 July 1947 – 27 June 1949
- 100th Bombardment Wing, 1 January 1956 – 25 June 1966
- 100th Operations Group, 31 March 1992 – present[1]
Stations
- Orlando Army Air Base, Florida 1 June 1942
- Barksdale Field, Louisiana, 18 June 1942
- Pendleton Field, Oregon 26 June 1942
- Gowen Field, Idaho, 28 August 1942
- Walla Walla Army Air Field, Washington, 31 October 1942
- Wendover Field, Utah, 30 November 1942
- Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa, 6 January 1943
- Kearney Army Air Field, Nebraska, 4 February – 1 May 1943
- RAF Thorpe Abbotts (Station 139),[49] England, 9 June 1943 – December 1945
- Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 14–15 December 1945
- Orlando Army Air Base (later Orlando Air Force Base), Florida, 17 July 1947 – 27 June 1949
- Portsmouth Air Force Base (later Pease Air Force Base), New Hampshire, 1 January 1956 – 30 April 1966
- RAF Mildenhall, England, 31 March 1992 – present[1]
Aircraft operated
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1942–1945)
- Boeing B-47E Stratojet (1956–1966)
- Boeing KC-135R/T Stratotanker (1992–present)[1]
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- ^ Aircraft is Boeing KC-135R, serial 57-1493, Wolff Pack. Built as Boeing KC-135A-BN, later re-engined as KC-135R. Named for a B-17F, serial 42-30061 that served with the 100th Bombardment Group in World War II. Baugher, Joe (29 April 2023). "1942 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ^ Approved 16 September 1958. Description: On an Air Force blue disc bordered white, an Air Force golden yellow shield charged with two Air Force blue lightning streaks in saltire, surmounted by a red bomb in fess, pointing downward; above the shield an Air Force golden yellow helmet in profile with red plume; in the upper part of the border the motto, in the lower part of the border a green olive wreath.
- 95th Bombardment Group.
- ^ This plane, named Rosie's Riveter was lost in the spring of 1945, but its crew was able to bail out in Russian held territory.
- ^ Aircraft is Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker, serial 57-1499, The Big Stick. Baugher 1957 USAF Serial Numbers.
- ^ Aircraft is Boeing KC-135R, serial 58-0100, built as KC-135A-BN. Earlier named 100 Proof. Aircraft has 100th Bombardment Group emblem on nose and carried fuselage code EP-A to commemorate the 75th anniverdary of D-Day. Baugher, 1958 serial numbers.
- ^ Aircraft is Boeing KC-135R, serial 58-0001, Our Gal Sal in 2018, comemmorating B-17G, serial 42-31767. Built as Boeing KC-135!-BN and earlier named Easy Rider.
- 418th Bombardment Squadron)"Aircraft: 230758". 100th Bomb Group Foundation. Retrieved 11 June 2021."Aircraft: 231504". 100th Bomb Group Foundation. Retrieved 11 June 2021.; Sly Fox (B-17F, serial 42-30278 of the 418th Bombardment Squadron)"42-30278". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 8 January 2021.; Squawkin Hawk (B-17F, serial 42-30088 of the 349th Bombardment Squadron)"42-30088 Squawkin Hawk II". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 14 October 2023.; The Jester (not associated);[20] The Reluctant Dragon (B-17G, serial 43-38011 of the 349th Bombardment Squadron)"43-38011". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 8 January 2021.; The Savage (B-17G, serial 42-31710 of the 349th Bombardment Squadron)"42-31710". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 8 January 2021.; Wolff Pack (B-17F, serial '42-30061 of the 418th Bombardment Squadron)"42-30061". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Kane, Robert B. (19 July 2010). "Factsheet 351 Air Refueling Squadron (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
- ^ Watkins, pp. 48–49
- ^ Duffield, Adam (23 May 2014). "100th ARW in Action". Aero Resource. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 171-172
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 433-436, 512
- ^ a b c d e f g Freeman, pp. 246-247
- ^ Freeman, pp. 67-68
- ^ Freeman, p.114
- ^ Freeman, p. 115
- ^ Sheridan, p. 165
- ^ Freeman, pp. 68-69
- ^ Freeman, p. 75
- ^ Freeman, p. 77
- ^ Freeman, p. 116
- ^ Freeman, p. 178
- ^ Freeman, p. 204
- ^ "Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command". Air Force History Index. 27 December 1961. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ^ Knaack, p. 25
- ^ "100th Air Refueling Wing History". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Planes, Names and Noses: KC-135s of the 100th ARW". key.aero. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Abeyasekere, Karen (1 February 2017). "100th Air Refueling Wing celebrates a historic 25 years". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Haulman, Daniel L. (November 2006). "Humanitarian Airlift Operations in which USAF Participated since 1994" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Operation Assured Response". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Exercise Strong Resolve 1998" (PDF). North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "Visiting Forces in the UK: 1942–2011" (PDF). Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Operation Allied Force - Order of Battle - June 1999". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ Wallace, Kevin (2 September 2011). "9/11's affect on 100th ARW mission". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ "351st Air Refueling Squadron [351st ARS]". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Senior Airman Rachel Waller. "RAF Mildenhall continues support for NATO Libyan operations". mildenhall.af.mil. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ Smith, Jason (1 February 2013). "KC-135s support French mission in Mali". U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ "RAF Mildenhall KC-135 aircraft supports Operation Juniper Micron". U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Mesnard, Christopher (1 February 2013). ""Bloody Hundredth" flies back into action". United States Africa Command. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Wills, Kevin (25 June 2013). "Aviation Feature – The Phinal Contacts: F-4F Phantom refuelling – from tanker & receiver". Global Aviation Resource. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Maurer, Kate (18 November 2014). "351st ARS makes history by winning Spaatz Trophy, a first for units abroad". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "Sheffield bomber crash: Flypast on 75th anniversary". BBC News. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ Oprihory, Jennifer-Leigh (1 October 2020). "Tankers Practice Speedy Deployment in European Refueling Exercise". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (9 November 2020). "Dissecting The U.S. Hostage Rescue Operation In Nigeria: Here Are All The Assets That Took Part In The Raid". The Aviationist. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Mendez, Mackenzie (14 May 2021). "351st named best ARS in Air Force". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "Exercise Atlantic Trident 2021". U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ Barron, Joseph (18 June 2021). "100th Air Refueling Wing fuels F-35s during exercise Atlantic Trident". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ Abeyasekere, Karen (24 May 2021). "RAF Mildenhall hosts European Tanker Symposium". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "100th ARW provides refueling support to aerial assets in support of contingency and routine operations". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Hadley, Grey (3 August 2022). "USAFE's Only Tanker Wing: Increased Work, But 'Increased Reward, Too'". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "Legacy Ladies - Nose Arts of the 100th Air Refuelling Wing". Square Aviation. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ Abeyasekere, Karen (11 May 2021). "'Skipper III' nose art dedication recognizes special bond, legacy of 100th Bombardment Group". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ Abeyasekere, Karen (11 June 2021). "'Rosie's Riveters' nose art dedication immortalizes legacy of 100th BG pilot with 100th ARW". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ Villagomez, Alvaro (10 October 2023). "RAFM honors Black Week: KC-135 "Squawkin' Hawk" nose art". Royal Air Force Mildenhall. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Aircraft: 230088". 100th Bomb Group Foundation. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Station number in Anderson, p. 21.
Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL yes: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems (PDF). Vol. 2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-59-5. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. LCCN 61060979.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. OCLC 72556.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors: Insignia and Markings of the Eighth Air Force in World War II. Vol. I (VIII) Bomber Command. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-1987-7.