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The United States Air Force's 171st Air Refueling Wing is an aerial refueling unit located at Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania.
[edit] Mission
[edit] History
Conforming to the new policy of the Department of Defense, the Air National Guard began to play an even greater role in fulfilling total U.S. force requirements. An extensive reorganization of the National Guard system was accomplished. As a result of these actions, the 171st Aeromedical Airlift Wing was redesignated as the 171st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) in October of 1972, transitioning from the C-121G to the KC-97L. On July 1, 1976, the Wing received notice of reassignment to the Strategic Air Command (SAC). A year later, the Wing transitioned to the KC-135A, a four-engine jet aircraft. This was a significant upgrade, increasing air refueling capacity and expanding the Wing's global mission capability. In 1982, the ANG increased its mission capability through an interim program by retrofitting commercial Boeing 707 engines to their tankers redesignating the aircraft to the KC-135E. In 2007, the wing converted to the KC-135R enabling an even greater global reach and continuity in the Total Force.
Members of the 171 ARW volunteered for duty in Saudi Arabia in order to participate in air refueling missions for Operation Desert Shield. These operations were upgraded to a full federal activation in December 1990 through May 1991. During this period over 300 members of the unit were deployed throughout the world in numerous functions supporting both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During this period the 171st ARW refueled nearly 3,000 allied aircraft while stationed near the Iraqi border in support of Operation Desert Storm. Maintaining a remarkable 100% mission effectiveness rate, the 171st flew 556 combat missions and offloaded 4.6 million gallons of fuel during the Gulf War.
[edit] Assignments
[edit] Previous designations[1]
- 171st Air Refueling Wing (1992-Present)
- 171st Air Refueling Group (1972-1992)
- 171st Aeromedical Airlift Group (1968-1972)
- 171st Air Transport Group (1964-1968)
[edit] Squadrons assigned [2]
[edit] Bases stationed
[edit] Decorations
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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Flying Groups and Wings of the Air National Guard |
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| Airlift |
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| Air Refueling |
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| Fighter |
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| Intelligence |
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| Reconnaissance |
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| Specialized |
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