507th Air Refueling Wing

The 507th Air Refueling Wing is a reserve component flying unit of the

The 465th Air Refueling Squadron operates eight Boeing KC-135R aircraft. Its reservists, both pilots and boom operators, maintain mission-ready status and regularly deploy in support of contingency operations.^[5]

The 507th Operations Support Squadron provides intelligence, aircrew flight equipment, operations and war planning for the wing and maintains aircrew flight records.^[5]

The

McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in association with the regular 97th Air Mobility Wing of Air Education and Training Command. As the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus enters the inventory, the 730th will also train on that aircraft.^[5]

The 1st Aviation Standards Flight operates the Bombardier Challenger 601 and 605 from Will Rogers World Airport and augments the Air Force Flight Standards Agency Detachment 1, the on-site active duty unit. It supports Federal Aviation Administration flight inspection requirements. It inspects and certifies military navigational aids, radar and instrument procedures at military and civilian installations in the United States and overseas and maintains a capability to perform flight inspections in combat theaters.^[5]

• The 507th Maintenance Group commands two squadrons.

The 507th Maintenance Squadron performs periodic inspections, fabricates repairs, and maintains engines, air refueling booms, aircraft fuel systems, and aerospace ground equipment.^[5]

The 507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron directs organizational level maintenance and the generation of aircraft.^[5]

• The 507th Mission Support Group commands five squadrons

The 72nd Aerial Port Squadron loads, unloads, and processes air freight arriving from and departing to locations worldwide.^[5]

The 507th Security Forces Squadron provides air base ground defense and protects weapon systems and support personnel. It trains wing personnel in the use of small arms.^[5]

The 507th Civil Engineer Squadron trains and equips teams for worldwide combat support. The squadron's personnel train to perform rapid runway repair, structural bomb damage repair, fire fighting and crash rescue.^[5]

The 507th Logistic Readiness Squadron carries out functions pertaining to transportation, supply, contracting, fuels and maintenance training.^[5]

The 507th Force Support Squadron provides personnel management and services support including lodging, fitness, food, recreation and mortuary affairs. Additionally, it includes a communications element including telecommunications, radio systems, and small computer support.^[5]

• The 507th Medical Squadron monitors the medical, dental and mental health of members of the 507th Wing and 513th Group. It trains them on first aid, CPR, and performs chemical warfare mask testing. It is integrated with the staff at the Tinker Base Hospital and if mobilized is trained to support either a fixed site or mobile field hospital.^[5]

History

World War II

The wing was first activated as the 507th Fighter Group at

507th Ftr Gp Aerial Victories Call Sign Fuselage Code Number Note Group Hq .5 [12] 463d Fighter Squadron 24 [13] 464th Fighter Squadron 15 [13] 465th Fighter Squadron 4.5 [13] Group Total 44 Air Defense The group was redesignated the 507th Fighter Group (Air Defense) and activated in August 1955 at Northrop F-89D Scorpions armed with Mighty Mouse rockets, was transferred from the 534th.[16] The 507th was assigned several support organizations to fulfill its additional role as the host for all active duty Air Force organizations at Kinross.[17][18] The 507th Group assumed the air defense mission, training with interceptor aircraft and participating in various exercises.[2] The group (and later the 507th Wing) would continue this mission until September 1968. In April 1957, the group upgraded to supersonic Convair F-102 Delta Daggers, which could carry the GAR-1 (later AIM-4 Falcon) and were equipped with data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system.[16] In July 1959, Iven Kincheloe.[20] March 1960 saw another addition to Kincheloe's mission, when ADC activated the IM-99 Bomarc missiles.[21] In June, the group completed another upgrade, this time to the Convair F-106 Delta Dart, which it would fly until inactivating in 1968.[16] In view of the expanded mission at Kincheloe and the pending growth of the SAC mission once alert, one third of the unit's aircraft were placed on fifteen-minute alert.[23] On 22 October 1962, at the beginning of the Phelps Collins Field, Michigan.[note 3] All group aircraft, including those at home and those at Phelps Collins were armed and placed on fifteen-minute alert status. The increased alert posture was maintained through mid-November, when CONAD returned units to their normal alert status, except for those under the control of its 32d Region, which controlled air defense in the Southeastern United States.[24][25] The 4239th Strategic Wing was replaced in February 1963 by the 449th Bombardment Wing.[26] Attrition (and the fact that production lines closed in 1961) caused a gradual drop in the number of planes assigned to interceptor squadrons, from 24 to typically 18 by 1964. The force reduction continued, finally resulting in a reduction in the number of interceptor units.[27] In September 1968 the 507th Wing was inactivated along with the 438th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, while its 507th Combat Support Group was replaced by the 4609th Air Base Group.[2][16][22][28] Air Force Reserve Tactical Fighter In 1972 the 937th Military Airlift Group there was slated to lose its Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIs, which were being removed from the inventory. The transition to the Thunderchief was the most difficult the Reserve had faced. In addition to the huge change from four reciprocating engine transports to supersonic jet fighters, declassification of the conversion only occurred in March, providing less than two months for open actions to implement the transition. Although the first F-105 arrived at Tinker on 14 April, the reservists were not prepared to accept the aircraft, and a special team from Tactical Air Command arrived to inspect the aircraft and place them in temporary storage until aircrew and maintenance personnel could be trained on the fighter.[30] The following spring the Reserve reassigned its tactical fighter squadrons directly to the 301st Tactical Fighter Wing.[31][note 4] After two years the group was once again activated. It trained for tactical fighter missions, participating in numerous tactical, joint, and combined exercises until September 1994.[2] In 1978, the 507th became the first Air Force Reserve group to participate in a Desert Storm the group deployed aircraft and personnel to the combat theater, but did not participate as a unit.[32] Air Refueling It converted in 1994 from flying fighters to conducting worldwide air refueling operations with the KC-135R. Six months later, the 507th Group, which had been combined with 507th Wing as a single unit in 1984, became a wing again for the first time since 1968. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, the Air Force's primary C-135 engine maintenance facility is also located at Tinker. As a result, the 507th routinely supports requests involving modification projects designed to produce upgrades to the Air Force's tanker fleet.[5] Starting in 1995, the wing assisted with the organization of the 513th Air Control Group, the only Reserve organization flying the 22d Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas was assigned to the wing as the group's administrative headquarters[33] As a result of the Beechcraft MC-12W Liberty. In conjunction with this transition the 137th is returning to Will Rogers, where it will become the 137th Special Operations Wing and terminate its affiliation with the 507th.[5][35] The wing participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2005, it sent forces to assist with the recovery following Hurricane Katrina.[2] Lineage 507th Air Refueling Wing Established as the 507th Fighter Group, Single Engine on 5 October 1944 Activated on 12 October 1944 Inactivated on 27 May 1946 Redesignated 507th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 June 1955 Activated on 18 August 1955 Discontinued and inactivated on 1 February 1961 Redesignated 507th Tactical Fighter Group on 4 May 1972 Activated in the Reserve on 20 May 1972 Inactivated on 25 March 1973 Activated in the Reserve on 17 October 1975 Consolidated with the 507th Fighter Wing on 31 January 1984 Redesignated 507th Fighter Group on 1 February 1992 Redesignated 507th Air Refueling Group on 1 April 1994 Redesignated 507th Air Refueling Wing on 1 October 1994 Redesignated 507th Wing on 15 March 1996 Redesignated 507th Air Refueling Wing on 1 August 1997[36] 507th Fighter Wing Established and activated on 28 December 1960 (not organized) Organized on 1 February 1961 Inactivated on 30 September 1968 Consolidated with the 507th Tactical Fighter Group as the 507th Tactical Fighter Group on 31 January 1984[36] Assignments 72d Fighter Wing , 12 October 1944 301st Fighter Wing, 24 June 1945 – 27 May 1946 4706th Air Defense Wing, 18 August 1955 37th Air Division, 8 July 1956 30th Air Division, 1 April 1959 Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector, 1 April 1960 – 1 February 1961; 1 February 1961 Duluth Air Defense Sector, 1 October 1963 29th Air Division, 1 April 1966 – 30 September 1968 442d Tactical Airlift Wing , 20 May 1972 301st Tactical Fighter Wing, 25 July 1972 – 25 March 1973 301st Tactical Fighter Wing, 17 October 1975 419th Tactical Fighter Wing (later 419 Fighter Wing), 1 October 1982 452d Air Refueling Wing , 1 April 1994 Fourth Air Force, 15 April 1994 – present[36] Components Groups 507th Operations Group: 1 August 1992 – present[37] 507th Logistics Group (later 507th Maintenance Group): 1 August 1992 – present[5] 507th Air Base Group (later 507th Combat Support Group, 507th Support Group, 507th Mission Support Group): 1 April 1962 – 30 September 1968,[22] 1 August 1992 – present[5] 513th Air Control Group: 15 March 1996 – 1 April 1997 931st Air Refueling Group: 1 March 1999 – present[36] McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas[33] Squadrons 438th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron: 18 August 1955 – 1 February 1961, 1 February 1961 – 30 September 1968 463d Fighter Squadron : 12 October 1944 – 27 May 1946 464th Fighter Squadron : 12 October 1944 – 27 May 1946 465th Fighter Squadron (later 465th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 465th Fighter Squadron): 12 October 1944 – 24 May 1946; 20 May 1972 – 25 March 1973; 17 October 1975 – 1 August 1992[36] Stations Peterson Field, Colorado, 12 October 1944 Bruning Army Air Field, Nebraska, 20 October 1944 Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, 15 December 1944 – 24 April 1945 Ie Shima Airfield, Ryuku Islands , 24 June 1945 Yontan Airfield, Okinawa, 19 January 1946 – 27 May 1946 Kinross Air Force Base (later Kincheloe Air Force Base), Michigan 18 August 1955 – 1 February 1961, 1 February 1961 – 30 September 1968 Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 20 May 1972 – 25 March 1973 Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 17 October 1975 – present[36] Aircraft Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1944–1946) Northrop F-89 Scorpion (1955–1957) Convair F-102 Delta Dagger (1957–1960) Convair F-106 Delta Dart (1960–1968) Republic F-105 Thunderchief (1972–1973, 1975–1980) McDonnell F-4 Phantom II (1980–1988) General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (1988–1994) Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (1994 – present) Boeing E-3 Sentry (1996–1997)[36] Bombardier Challenger 601 and 605[5] Awards and campaigns Award streamer Award Dates Notes Distinguished Unit Citation 13 August 1945 Korea 507th Fighter Group[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 1966-1 June 1968 507th Fighter Wing[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 1978-31 December 1978 507th Tactical Fighter Group[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 11 July 1985-1 July 1986 507th Tactical Fighter Group[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1987-31 August 1989 507th Tactical Fighter Group[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 1992-31 December 1993 507th Tactical Fighter Group (later 507th Fighter Group)[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 1994-31 December 1995 507th Fighter Group (later 507th Air Refueling Group, 507th Air Refueling Wing)[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 August 1996-31 July 1998 507th Air Refueling Wing[2] Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 January 2009-1 August 2010 507th Air Refueling Wing[2] Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes Air Offensive, Japan 24 June 1945 – 2 September 1945 507th Fighter Group[2] Western Pacific 24 June 1945 – 2 September 1945 507th Fighter Group[2] Ryukus 24 June 1945 – 2 July 1945 507th Fighter Group[2] China Offensive 24 June 1945 – 2 September 1945 507th Fighter Group[2] See also F-89 Scorpion units of the United States Air Force List of F-106 Delta Dart units of the United States Air Force List of F-4 Phantom II operators General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon operators References Notes ^ Aircraft is Convair F-102A-80-CO Delta Dagger serial 56-1499. Taken at Kincheloe AFB in July 1958 ^ Aircraft is Convair F-106A Delta Dart serial 59–82 Volk Field , Wisconsin was. ADC had not completed its dispersal plan and several units, including the 507th, dispersed to "interim" bases. McMullen, pp. 11–12. ^ During the period the group was inactive, its place was taken by Detachment 507, 301st Fighter Wing. "Abstract, History 301st Tactical Fighter Wing Aug–Dec 1975". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 22 September 2015. Citations ^ "Tinker.af.mil". ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Robertson, Patsy (19 March 2012). "Factsheet 507 Air Refueling Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 5 September 2015. ^ a b c d Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 370–371 ^ "507th Air Refueling Wing". Retrieved 1 September 2018. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Fact Sheet 507th Air Refueling Wing". 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. August 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 570 ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 571 ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 571–572 ^ "Abstract, History 507 Fighter Group Oct–Dec 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 22 September 2015. Maurer, in Combat Squadrons and Robertson in the AFHRA Factsheet for the 507th both state the move occurred on 20 October. This source gives 13 October, the day after activation, as the move date. ^ "Abstract, History 508 Fighter Group October 1944 – August 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 22 September 2015. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 415–416 ^ Newton & Senning, pp. 555–556 ^ a b c Newton & Senning, p. 661 ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 83 ^ Buss, et al., p. 6 ^ a b c d Cornett & Johnson, p. 128 ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 140 (507th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 147 (507th Materiel Squadron) ^ "Abstract, History 4239 Strategic Wing June 1959 – January 1962". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 23 September 2015. ^ Royston, p. 84 ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 150 ^ a b c Cornett & Johnson, p. 81 ^ Ray, p 50 ^ NORAD/CONAD Response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, pp. 16, 26 ^ McMullen, pp. 10–12 ^ Ravenstein, pp. 244–245 ^ McMullen, pp. 41, 43–45 ^ Cornett & Johnson, p. 86 ^ Cantwell, p. 313 ^ Cantwell, p. 314 ^ Kane, Robert B. (23 September 2010). "Factsheet 301 Fighter Wing (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 18 September 2015. ^ "Abstract, History 508 Tactical Fighter Group CY 1991". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 22 September 2015. ^ a b Endicott, Judy G. (26 October 2007). "Factsheet 931 Air Refueling Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 23 September 2015. ^ Vol. 2, BRAC Report, pp. 121, 157 ^ Allen, Silas (11 August 2015). "Oklahoma Air National Guard unit begins training for a new mission". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 7 September 2015. ^ a b c d e f g Lineage, including assignments, components, stations and aircraft in Robertson, Factsheet 507th Air Refueling Wing, except as noted. ^ All components stationed with headquarters, except as noted Bibliography  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Buss, Lydus H.(ed), Sturm, Thomas A., Volan, Denys, and McMullen, Richard F., History of Continental Air Defense Command and Air Defense Command July to December 1955, Directorate of Historical Services, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO, (1956) Cantwell, Gerald T. (1997). Citizen Airmen: a History of the Air Force Reserve, 1946–1994. Washington, D.C.: Air Force History and Museums Program. ISBN 0-16049-269-6 . Retrieved 1 October 2014. Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 – 1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2012. 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 . McMullen, Richard F. (1964) The Fighter Interceptor Force 1962–1964, ADC Historical Study No. 27 (Confidential, declassified 22 March 2000) Newton, Wesely P. Jr.; Senning, Calvin F. (1963). "USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, USAF Historical Study No. 85" (PDF). Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University. Retrieved 27 April 2014. 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 . Ray, Thomas W. "Nuclear Armament: Its Acquisition, Control and Application to Manned Interceptors 1951–1963" ADC Historical Study No. 20, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, CO (Secret- Restricted Data, redacted version declassified 20 June 1996) Royston, Mark W. (2009). The Faces Behind the Bases: Short Biographies of the Persons for Whom Military Bases are Named. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse. ISBN 978-1440137129 . Retrieved 23 September 2015. (Link is to Google Books extract) Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission (8 September 2005). "Final Report to the President". Government Printing Office. Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2015. External links "Inside 507 ARW". 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 8 September 2015. Johnson, James (27 March 1988). "Tinker 507th Fighter Group Flies for the Joy of It". NewsOK. Retrieved 9 September 2015. "Okie Reunion: History". OkieReunion. 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2015. Davis, Jim (22 April 2008). "1959.09.25 Kinross Becomes Kincheloe AFB". You Tube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2015. (YouTube video of ceremony renaming Kinross AFB as Kincheloe AFB)