117th Air Refueling Wing
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 117th Air Refueling Wing is an Air National Guard
air refueling
unit located at Birmingham International Airport
, Alabama
.
, a World War I
flying ace and former member of Eddie Rickenbacker
's famous "Hat-in-the-Ring" squadron, organized some ten to twelve ex-aviators from the recent war. This club was dubbed the Birmingham Flying Club, nicknamed the "Birmingham Escadrille". Its primary aim being the promotion of aviation in the City of Birmingham and the State of Alabama. Work began immediately to induce the Federal Government to recognize the unit as a National Guard flying squadron. After months of ceaseless work, word was received that the dream was to become a reality. On 21 January 1922, the organization was federally recognized as the 135th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard
. Twenty-six officers and one hundred twenty enlisted men assigned to the squadron began developing the tract of land that was to be used for the air base.
Before the end of July 1922, seven Curtiss JN-4Ds, the famed Jenny, and necessary support equipment were on hand, and the squadron was functioning as a flying unit under the direction of Major Meissner. It was during this month that the 135th Observation Squadron went to Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, for their first annual encampment.
On 1 January 1923, the unit designation was changed to the 114th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard, on orders from Air Service Headquarters, United States Army, Washington, D.C., the 114th continued flying the JN-4D on observation missions from Roberts Field. On 1 January 1924, the designation was changed from the 114th Observation Squadron to the 106th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard.
The observation squadron had many aerial mapping and survey assignments for government projects such as highways, dams, and inland waterways. The Alabama National Guard surveyed and flew the first airmail routes in the State of Alabama in 1928. That was one year prior to the first commercial airmail in the state.
Authorized aircraft during the pre-World War II period included the Curtiss JN-4D, Douglas O2-H, Consolidated TW-3 (PT-1), Curtiss O-11, Consolidated O-17, Thomas Morse O-19, Douglas O-38B, North American O-47, Curtiss O-1A, and North American BC1-A.
Efforts to secure more modern facilities for the organization finally had results when the construction of hangars and buildings at Birmingham Municipal Airport was funded by the government works project in 1935. In 1938, with construction completed, the unit moved into its present quarters at the Birmingham Municipal Airport. the existing hangar was constructed to accommodate and support thirteen O-47 type aircraft.
The 106th Observation Squadron was called to active duty on 25 November 1940 and was still on active duty at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. During this period the unit remained at Fort Sumpter Smith, Birmingham, Alabama except while participating in maneuvers in Louisiana and South Carolina. The unit was equipped with the O-47 augmented by the Stinson O-49. Key personnel were transferred from the unit to form the 65th and 69th Observation Groups. The 106th was assigned to the 66th Observation Group on 1 September 1941.
12 December 1941, five days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the unit was moved to Miami, Florida to perform anti-submarine patrol. Later state-side base assignments included Jacksonville, FL; Savannah, GA; Tullahoma, TN; Charlotte, NC; Fort Myers, FL; Clarksville, TN; and Camp Campbell, KY. Unit equipped aircraft varied considerably and included the North American O-47, Stinson O-49, Douglas DB-7, Douglas A-20, Bell P-39, Curtiss P-40
, Seversky (Republic) P-43, Stinson L-5, and the Aeronca L-6.
While at Camp Campbell, KY, the unit was redesignated the 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomb) and was assigned to the 76th Reconnaissance Group. In June 1943, the unit was returned to Savannah, Georgia and equipped with North American B-25s for overseas movement. Reporting to Camp Stoneman, CA, on 20 October 1943, the unit served in the northern Solomons, Southern Philippines, Bismarck Archipelago, and New Guinea prior to being returned to the continental United States for release from active duty on 11 December 1945. The unit had, in the meantime, been assigned to the 13th Air Force and redesignated the 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). Serving as part of the 42nd Bombardment Group, the 100th established a brilliant war record and was presented a Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy.
In 1946 renowned troop carrier pilot and then-Colonel John M. Donalson reorganized the unit as the 106th Bomb Squadron (Light). They were joined in Birmingham by the 160th Fighter Squadron, flying F-51s. The two squadrons were assigned together to the 117th Fighter Group, which later became the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and established its headquarters at Birmingham.
The group was activated on 1 April 1951 for duty in the Korean War. For most of the next 21 months, they were assigned to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The 106th moved to Lawson Field in Columbus, Georgia on 1 October 1959 and converted their F051s to RF-80s, deploying to Europe as the 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Key personnel were assigned to other groups active in the Korean theater.
In 1952 the 106th was placed back under the command of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and returned to Birmingham in 1957. This unit flew T-33s and RF-84Fs. They returned to active duty in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis
, deploying 20 RF-84s, 2 T-33s and one C-47 to Dreux, France, marking the first trans-Atlantic crossing for the smaller craft, which had to island hop in several legs. The units were relieved from active duty in August 1962. The need to develop the capability of non-stop transcontinental flight was evident, and the 106th Squadron was tasked with leading that effort.
Over the next several years the 106th pioneered the practice of air-to-air refueling over water using KC-97 and KC-135 tankers to fuel RF-84s in test flights from Birmingham to Puerto Rico. The second round of testing was coordinated with the Alaskan Air Command and served the dual purposes of perfecting long-range fighter deployment and creating aerial survey maps of unphotographed regions of the 49th state.
. In order to maintain "plausible deniability" of US involvement in the operation the pilots were sworn to secrecy and conducted training in Nicaragua
.
During the CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs Invasion
, the Cuban exile aircrews of Douglas B-26 Invaders were unable to maintain the extensive air support in the face of Cuban government forces, and several American advisers, formerly of Alabama Air Guard, flew covert attack missions. Four of them in two B-26s were shot down and killed. The involvement of the Alabama guard pilots was revealed by the Birmingham News in 1961, but the details of the operation were kept secret until the late 1990s.
Other Cold War
operations:
In August 1964 twelve RF-84F jets completed their first non-stop transatlantic flight
, requiring three air-to-air refuelings on the way to Europe and four on the way back to Birmingham.
In April 1967 the 106th deployed four craft and 93 personnel to "Operation Clove Hitch III", a massive exercise coordinated with the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force to simulate an invasion of the Puerto Rican island. Other significant exercises followed over the next several years.
Operation Desert Shield
In August 1990 the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing deployed to the United Arab Emirates
in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After Iraq invaded Kuwait under Saddam Hussein on August 2, 1990, members of the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were activated to participate in contingencies in Operation Desert Shield. On 24 August 1990, then Colonel James F. Brown, 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Commander led a formation of six RF-4C Phantoms on what was believed to be the longest non-stop flight of six Phantoms in history. The take-off from Birmingham Municipal Airport was at 1630 CDT on 24 August 1990. After each Phantom refueled in the air 16 (sixteen) times and after traveling more than 8000 nautical miles (14,816 km) without landing, the flight terminated in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at 1600 local time on 25 August 1990. The flight lasted 15.5 hours and included aerial refuelings from four different KC-10's and four different KC-135's. The 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron then operated out of the desert air base until December, 1990 flying reconnaissance missions in preparation for the eventual Operation Desert Storm. During those four months in 1990, one RF-4C Phantom was lost, claiming the lives of two of the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron's aircrew members.
The 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron/117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was the first Air National Guard or USAF Reserve Squadron to get the relatively new Phantoms in 1971. They operated the RF-4C until May, 1995, ending a twenty-four year chapter in the colorful history of the unit by flying one of the jets (Tail # 64-1047) to the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio. It was the last operational RF-4C squadron flight and was piloted by the future 117th Air Refueling Wing Commander, Lt Col Evans Whaley. Aircraft "047" is still on display at the USAF Museum, painted in the Birmingham Air National Guard colors of the 1990 Operation Desert Shield deployment of the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
disappeared, and all units dropped the "Tactical" prefix from their designation. On 16 March 1992, the 117 TRW became the 117th Reconnaissance Wing.
over Bosnia. In "Operation Coronet Nighthawk", a counter-drug operation, the unit reported to Curaçao
, Netherlands Antilles
. In 2001, for "Operation Noble Eagle" they deployed to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida for homeland security duty.
In 1995, the unit completed an excavation and bioremediation project at the airport to eliminate hazards found during the replacement of its petroleum, oils and lubricants facility. Seven 25,000 gallon fuel tanks, a 500 gallon sludge tank, and 17500 cubic yards (13,379.7 m³) of soil were excavated and removed to comply with regulations from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
In 1999 the 117th was called by President Clinton to support Operation Noble Anvil over Kosovo. Contributing 6 planes and 210 personnel to NATO operations against Yugoslavia, they returned to Europe, taking residence at RAF Croughton
and RAF Brize Norton
, UK.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
recommendations propose distributing the 117th's KC-135Rs to Air National Guard stations in Maine, Tennessee and Arizona. Firefighting personnel would be stationed to Dannelly Field, while the expeditionary combat support group would remain based in Birmingham. The Alabama congressional delegation joined Colonel Paul Brown in strong opposition to the dispersal and the commission voted in August 2005 to keep the unit in Birmingham.
In May 2006 the House Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs approved $4.5 million for construction of an Alert Crew Quarters and Mobility Processing Complex in the 2007 Military Quality of Life Appropriations Bill.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 117th Air Refueling Wing is an Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
air refueling
Aerial refueling
Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling , air-to-air refueling or tanking, is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight....
unit located at Birmingham International Airport
Birmingham International Airport (US)
Southwest Airlines carried the most passengers through BHM in 2007; transporting 1.14 million passengers, 35.6% of total BHM passengers. Additionally, Southwest Airlines operates BHM as a connecting airport for over 180 different flight pairs.Southwest uses Las Vegas and Phoenix to connect...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
.
Mission
The mission of the 117th Air Refueling Wing is to provide aerial refueling services to fighter squadrons or other military aircraft, allowing them to remain airborne longer and giving them almost unlimited range.History
Early in 1919, Major James MeissnerJames Meissner
Major James Armand Meissner was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories and awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses.-Early life and service:...
, a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying ace and former member of Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.-Early...
's famous "Hat-in-the-Ring" squadron, organized some ten to twelve ex-aviators from the recent war. This club was dubbed the Birmingham Flying Club, nicknamed the "Birmingham Escadrille". Its primary aim being the promotion of aviation in the City of Birmingham and the State of Alabama. Work began immediately to induce the Federal Government to recognize the unit as a National Guard flying squadron. After months of ceaseless work, word was received that the dream was to become a reality. On 21 January 1922, the organization was federally recognized as the 135th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard
Alabama National Guard
The Alabama National Guard comprises both Army and Air components. The Guard is part of the Alabama Military Department, seemingly overseen by the Adjutant General of Alabama....
. Twenty-six officers and one hundred twenty enlisted men assigned to the squadron began developing the tract of land that was to be used for the air base.
Before the end of July 1922, seven Curtiss JN-4Ds, the famed Jenny, and necessary support equipment were on hand, and the squadron was functioning as a flying unit under the direction of Major Meissner. It was during this month that the 135th Observation Squadron went to Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, for their first annual encampment.
On 1 January 1923, the unit designation was changed to the 114th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard, on orders from Air Service Headquarters, United States Army, Washington, D.C., the 114th continued flying the JN-4D on observation missions from Roberts Field. On 1 January 1924, the designation was changed from the 114th Observation Squadron to the 106th Observation Squadron, Alabama National Guard.
The observation squadron had many aerial mapping and survey assignments for government projects such as highways, dams, and inland waterways. The Alabama National Guard surveyed and flew the first airmail routes in the State of Alabama in 1928. That was one year prior to the first commercial airmail in the state.
Authorized aircraft during the pre-World War II period included the Curtiss JN-4D, Douglas O2-H, Consolidated TW-3 (PT-1), Curtiss O-11, Consolidated O-17, Thomas Morse O-19, Douglas O-38B, North American O-47, Curtiss O-1A, and North American BC1-A.
Efforts to secure more modern facilities for the organization finally had results when the construction of hangars and buildings at Birmingham Municipal Airport was funded by the government works project in 1935. In 1938, with construction completed, the unit moved into its present quarters at the Birmingham Municipal Airport. the existing hangar was constructed to accommodate and support thirteen O-47 type aircraft.
The 106th Observation Squadron was called to active duty on 25 November 1940 and was still on active duty at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. During this period the unit remained at Fort Sumpter Smith, Birmingham, Alabama except while participating in maneuvers in Louisiana and South Carolina. The unit was equipped with the O-47 augmented by the Stinson O-49. Key personnel were transferred from the unit to form the 65th and 69th Observation Groups. The 106th was assigned to the 66th Observation Group on 1 September 1941.
12 December 1941, five days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the unit was moved to Miami, Florida to perform anti-submarine patrol. Later state-side base assignments included Jacksonville, FL; Savannah, GA; Tullahoma, TN; Charlotte, NC; Fort Myers, FL; Clarksville, TN; and Camp Campbell, KY. Unit equipped aircraft varied considerably and included the North American O-47, Stinson O-49, Douglas DB-7, Douglas A-20, Bell P-39, Curtiss P-40
Curtiss P-40
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
, Seversky (Republic) P-43, Stinson L-5, and the Aeronca L-6.
While at Camp Campbell, KY, the unit was redesignated the 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomb) and was assigned to the 76th Reconnaissance Group. In June 1943, the unit was returned to Savannah, Georgia and equipped with North American B-25s for overseas movement. Reporting to Camp Stoneman, CA, on 20 October 1943, the unit served in the northern Solomons, Southern Philippines, Bismarck Archipelago, and New Guinea prior to being returned to the continental United States for release from active duty on 11 December 1945. The unit had, in the meantime, been assigned to the 13th Air Force and redesignated the 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium). Serving as part of the 42nd Bombardment Group, the 100th established a brilliant war record and was presented a Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy.
In 1946 renowned troop carrier pilot and then-Colonel John M. Donalson reorganized the unit as the 106th Bomb Squadron (Light). They were joined in Birmingham by the 160th Fighter Squadron, flying F-51s. The two squadrons were assigned together to the 117th Fighter Group, which later became the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and established its headquarters at Birmingham.
The group was activated on 1 April 1951 for duty in the Korean War. For most of the next 21 months, they were assigned to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The 106th moved to Lawson Field in Columbus, Georgia on 1 October 1959 and converted their F051s to RF-80s, deploying to Europe as the 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Key personnel were assigned to other groups active in the Korean theater.
In 1952 the 106th was placed back under the command of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and returned to Birmingham in 1957. This unit flew T-33s and RF-84Fs. They returned to active duty in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis
Berlin Crisis of 1961
The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was the last major politico-military European incident of the Cold War about the occupational status of the German capital city, Berlin, and of post–World War II Germany. The U.S.S.R...
, deploying 20 RF-84s, 2 T-33s and one C-47 to Dreux, France, marking the first trans-Atlantic crossing for the smaller craft, which had to island hop in several legs. The units were relieved from active duty in August 1962. The need to develop the capability of non-stop transcontinental flight was evident, and the 106th Squadron was tasked with leading that effort.
Over the next several years the 106th pioneered the practice of air-to-air refueling over water using KC-97 and KC-135 tankers to fuel RF-84s in test flights from Birmingham to Puerto Rico. The second round of testing was coordinated with the Alaskan Air Command and served the dual purposes of perfecting long-range fighter deployment and creating aerial survey maps of unphotographed regions of the 49th state.
Bay of Pigs Invasion
In October 1961 a group of pilots from the 106th was recruited by the CIA to train Cuban expatriate pilots for a planned invasion of CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. In order to maintain "plausible deniability" of US involvement in the operation the pilots were sworn to secrecy and conducted training in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
.
During the CIA-sponsored Bay of Pigs Invasion
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an unsuccessful action by a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles to invade southern Cuba, with support and encouragement from the US government, in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. The invasion was launched in April 1961, less than three months...
, the Cuban exile aircrews of Douglas B-26 Invaders were unable to maintain the extensive air support in the face of Cuban government forces, and several American advisers, formerly of Alabama Air Guard, flew covert attack missions. Four of them in two B-26s were shot down and killed. The involvement of the Alabama guard pilots was revealed by the Birmingham News in 1961, but the details of the operation were kept secret until the late 1990s.
Other Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
operations:
In August 1964 twelve RF-84F jets completed their first non-stop transatlantic flight
Transatlantic flight
Transatlantic flight is the flight of an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. A transatlantic flight may proceed east-to-west, originating in Europe or Africa and terminating in North America or South America, or it may go in the reverse direction, west-to-east...
, requiring three air-to-air refuelings on the way to Europe and four on the way back to Birmingham.
In April 1967 the 106th deployed four craft and 93 personnel to "Operation Clove Hitch III", a massive exercise coordinated with the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force to simulate an invasion of the Puerto Rican island. Other significant exercises followed over the next several years.
117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
On 25 February 1971 the 106th TRS was re-equipped with RF-4C "Phantom II" reconnaissance jets and, soon later, a WS430B modular, transportable photographic processing and interpretation facility. The unit returned to Alaska for exercises and aerial surveying as part of "Exercise Jack Frost" in 1975. Later that same year they pioneered the use of electronic counter-measures in field exercises during "Exercise Brave Shield XIII" at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In 1976 the squadron flew 18 Phantom jets to Ramstein, Germany, in company with two Air Force C141 transports which also took off from Birmingham in "Operation Coronet Sprint". Over the course of 537 hours flight crews from the 106th flew 137 sorties over Western Europe, returning on 1 April.Operation Desert Shield
In August 1990 the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing deployed to the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After Iraq invaded Kuwait under Saddam Hussein on August 2, 1990, members of the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing were activated to participate in contingencies in Operation Desert Shield. On 24 August 1990, then Colonel James F. Brown, 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing Commander led a formation of six RF-4C Phantoms on what was believed to be the longest non-stop flight of six Phantoms in history. The take-off from Birmingham Municipal Airport was at 1630 CDT on 24 August 1990. After each Phantom refueled in the air 16 (sixteen) times and after traveling more than 8000 nautical miles (14,816 km) without landing, the flight terminated in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at 1600 local time on 25 August 1990. The flight lasted 15.5 hours and included aerial refuelings from four different KC-10's and four different KC-135's. The 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron then operated out of the desert air base until December, 1990 flying reconnaissance missions in preparation for the eventual Operation Desert Storm. During those four months in 1990, one RF-4C Phantom was lost, claiming the lives of two of the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron's aircrew members.
The 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron/117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was the first Air National Guard or USAF Reserve Squadron to get the relatively new Phantoms in 1971. They operated the RF-4C until May, 1995, ending a twenty-four year chapter in the colorful history of the unit by flying one of the jets (Tail # 64-1047) to the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio. It was the last operational RF-4C squadron flight and was piloted by the future 117th Air Refueling Wing Commander, Lt Col Evans Whaley. Aircraft "047" is still on display at the USAF Museum, painted in the Birmingham Air National Guard colors of the 1990 Operation Desert Shield deployment of the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
117th Reconnaissance Wing
With the changing of the world situation in the early 1990s, Tactical Air CommandTactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
disappeared, and all units dropped the "Tactical" prefix from their designation. On 16 March 1992, the 117 TRW became the 117th Reconnaissance Wing.
117th Air Refueling Wing
In November 1994 the unit was again re-equipped, this time with KC-135R tankers. The units became the 106th Air Refueling Squadron and 117th Air Refueling Wing. The rechristened units deployed to Pisa, Italy in 1995 in support of Operation Deny FlightOperation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
over Bosnia. In "Operation Coronet Nighthawk", a counter-drug operation, the unit reported to Curaçao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
. In 2001, for "Operation Noble Eagle" they deployed to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida for homeland security duty.
In 1995, the unit completed an excavation and bioremediation project at the airport to eliminate hazards found during the replacement of its petroleum, oils and lubricants facility. Seven 25,000 gallon fuel tanks, a 500 gallon sludge tank, and 17500 cubic yards (13,379.7 m³) of soil were excavated and removed to comply with regulations from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
In 1999 the 117th was called by President Clinton to support Operation Noble Anvil over Kosovo. Contributing 6 planes and 210 personnel to NATO operations against Yugoslavia, they returned to Europe, taking residence at RAF Croughton
RAF Croughton
RAF Croughton is a United States Air Force communications base in Northamptonshire, England, to the southeast of the village of Croughton. The station is home to the 422nd Air Base Group and operates one of Europe's largest military switchboards and processes approximately a third of all U.S...
and RAF Brize Norton
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, about west north-west of London, is the largest station of the Royal Air Force. It is close to the settlements of Brize Norton, Carterton and Witney....
, UK.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
recommendations propose distributing the 117th's KC-135Rs to Air National Guard stations in Maine, Tennessee and Arizona. Firefighting personnel would be stationed to Dannelly Field, while the expeditionary combat support group would remain based in Birmingham. The Alabama congressional delegation joined Colonel Paul Brown in strong opposition to the dispersal and the commission voted in August 2005 to keep the unit in Birmingham.
In May 2006 the House Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs approved $4.5 million for construction of an Alert Crew Quarters and Mobility Processing Complex in the 2007 Military Quality of Life Appropriations Bill.
Major Command/Gaining Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(since 1994) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1992–1994) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1946–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
(1922–1946)
Previous designations
- 117th Air Refueling Wing (since 1994)
- 117th Reconnaissance Wing (1992–1994)
- 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (1961–1992)
Bases stationed
- Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
(since 1931) - Roberts Field Airport, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
(1922–1931)
Aircraft Operated
- KC-135R (since 1994)
- RF-4C (1971–1993)
- RF-84F (1957–1971)
- T-33A (1957–??)
- RF-80 (1950–1957)
- F-51 Mustang (1947–1950)
- B-26 MarauderB-26 MarauderThe Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
(1946–1947) - B-25 (1943–1946)
- O-47 (1938–1943)
- JN-4D Jenny (1922–1938)