18th Air Refueling Squadron

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18th Air Refueling Squadron
931st Air Refueling Group KC-135 Stratotanker takes off from Eielson AFB during Exercise Red Flag Alaska[note 1]
Active1940–1945; 1948–1949; 1952–1954; 1961–1967; 1969–1972; 1995–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAir Refueling
Part ofAir Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQMcConnell Air Force Base
Motto(s)Can Do (1969–1972, c. 1995)
EngagementsMediterranean Theater of Operations
China-Burma-India Theater[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
18th Air Refueling Squadron emblem[1]
18 Air Refueling Squadron emblem (early)
Patch with 18th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron emblem

The 18th Air Refueling Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve squadron, assigned to the 931st Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. It operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions. If mobilized the squadron would be gained by Air Mobility Command.

The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 18th Transport Squadron. After training in the United States, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where, as the 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, it participated in all major airborne assault operations and earned a Distinguished Unit Citation. From April until June 1944, it deployed to the China Burma India Theater to augment forces in Burma. Following V-E Day, the squadron served under Air Transport Command in the Caribbean returning American soldiers to the United States. The squadron was again briefly active in the Caribbean area during the later 1940s.

The squadron was active again from 1952, when it absorbed the resources of a reserve unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War. It was again active from 1961 until 1972, when it participated in military exercises, provided airlift, and trained aircrew for deployment to Southeast Asia.

Mission[edit]

The squadron operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, conducting aerial refueling missions.

History[edit]

"During World War II the 18th flew airborne assaults on Sicily, Myitkyina, Burma, and Southern France in addition to supporting partisans in Northern Italy from January to May 1945 and conducting aerial transportation in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) and briefly in the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). It flew strategic and tactical airlift missions from 1948 to 1954 and 1962 to 1967. The squadron provided tactical airlift training for US and subsequently South Vietnamese pilots and crews from 1969 to 1972.

This unit has flown worldwide air refueling missions since 1995."[1]

Operations[edit]

Lineage[edit]

  • Constituted as the 18th Transport Squadron on 20 November 1940
Activated on 11 December 1940
Redesignated 18th Troop Carrier Squadron on 4 July 1942
Inactivated on 31 July 1945
  • Redesignated 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, Heavy on 24 July 1948
Activated on 1 August 1948
Inactivated on 1 March 1949
  • Redesignated 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 3 July 1952
Activated on 14 July 1952
Inactivated on 21 July 1954
  • Activated on 3 August 1961 (not organized)
Organized on 8 January 1962
Redesignated 18th Troop Carrier Squadron on 1 March 1966
Discontinued and inactivated, on 25 June 1967
  • Redesignated 18th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron on 14 August 1969
Activated on 15 October 1969
Inactivated on 31 August 1972
  • Redesignated 18th Air Refueling Squadron on 9 September 1994
Activated in the reserve on 1 October 1995[1]

Assignments[edit]

Stations[edit]

Aircraft[edit]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Aircraft is Boeing KC-135R-BN Stratotanker serial 60-336, taken on 12 June 2012.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Endicott, Judy (4 January 2008). "Factsheet 18 Air Refueling Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2018.

Bibliography[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

External links[edit]