307th Air Refueling Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 307th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing, stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan
. It was inactivated on 1 August 1990.
, Florida
. The unit, however, was located at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
for flying. The 307th gained its crews and equipment from the deactivated 2d Air Refueling Squadron
(which later started up again at Hunter AFB, Georgia). 307th crews flew the KB-29M Superfortress, a British grapling hose-type refueling aircraft. On 1 Aug 1951, the people and equipment deactivated and stayed at Davis-Monthan to form the 9th Air Refueling Squadron
.
In August 1951, upon relocating to Walker Air Force Base
, New Mexico
, the 307th refueled other aircraft by using the KB-29P Superfortress, a boom type refueling system developed by Boeing
. It was at Walker that the squadron performed the first U.S. Air Force over-water fighter refueling mission. Many people assigned to the squadron during this time participated in the Project Ivy, atomic tests in the Pacific.
After relocating to Bergstrom Air Force Base
, Texas
, the unit performed refueling missions for the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing F-84 Thunderjet
aircraft within the 42d Air Division
. However, when everyone but one officer and one airman were reassigned, the squadron was deactivated on November 18, 1953.
Just six months later, the unit was reactivated and flew out of Maxwell Air Force Base
, Alabama
, with KC-97 Stratotanker
aircraft. Another six months later, after being a tenant unit, the squadron was happy to move to Lincoln Air Force Base
, Nebraska
, and rejoin the 307th Bombardment Wing. From 1955 to 1960 the 307th deployed to numerous bases outside the United States, providing tanker support for Strategic Air Command forces.
In June 1960 the unit moved once again to Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan
. After performing refueling commitments on a global scale for ten years, the squadron was deactivated on June 25, 1966. On September 30, 1985, the 307th was reactivated at a formal ceremony at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan
. The squadron, assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing at Sawyer, was flying for the first time the KC-135A Stratotanker. The unit deactivated August 1, 1990.
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...
unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing, stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It was inactivated on 1 August 1990.
History
The 307th ARS was first activated in June 1950 and attached to the 307th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force BaseMacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The unit, however, was located at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
for flying. The 307th gained its crews and equipment from the deactivated 2d Air Refueling Squadron
2d Air Refueling Squadron
The 2d Air Refueling Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force. It is part of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. It operates the KC-10 Extender aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions....
(which later started up again at Hunter AFB, Georgia). 307th crews flew the KB-29M Superfortress, a British grapling hose-type refueling aircraft. On 1 Aug 1951, the people and equipment deactivated and stayed at Davis-Monthan to form the 9th Air Refueling Squadron
9th Air Refueling Squadron
The 9th Air Refueling Squadron was initially activated in 1951, although its history can be traced back to the 9th Photographic Squadron of World War II...
.
In August 1951, upon relocating to Walker Air Force Base
Walker Air Force Base
Walker Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base located three miles south of the central business district of Roswell, a city in Chaves County, New Mexico, US...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, the 307th refueled other aircraft by using the KB-29P Superfortress, a boom type refueling system developed by Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
. It was at Walker that the squadron performed the first U.S. Air Force over-water fighter refueling mission. Many people assigned to the squadron during this time participated in the Project Ivy, atomic tests in the Pacific.
After relocating to Bergstrom Air Force Base
Bergstrom Air Force Base
Bergstrom Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located seven miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas. It was activated during World War II as a troop carrier training airfield, and was a front-line Strategic Air Command base during the Cold War...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, the unit performed refueling missions for the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing F-84 Thunderjet
F-84 Thunderjet
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
aircraft within the 42d Air Division
42d Air Division
The 42d Air Division was a unit of the United States Air Force. It was established as the 42 Bombardment Wing on 8 February 1943. The wing first saw combat in September 1943. It was inactivated in 1991.-History:...
. However, when everyone but one officer and one airman were reassigned, the squadron was deactivated on November 18, 1953.
Just six months later, the unit was reactivated and flew out of Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
, 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...
, with KC-97 Stratotanker
KC-97 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a United States strategic tanker aircraft based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. It was succeeded by the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.-Design and development:...
aircraft. Another six months later, after being a tenant unit, the squadron was happy to move to Lincoln Air Force Base
Lincoln Air Force Base
Lincoln Air National Guard Base, previously Lincoln Air Force Base, is a Nebraska Air National Guard installation located approximately northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska. The facility is a joint use civil airport/military base with the Lincoln Airport which provides airline, charter and general...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, and rejoin the 307th Bombardment Wing. From 1955 to 1960 the 307th deployed to numerous bases outside the United States, providing tanker support for Strategic Air Command forces.
In June 1960 the unit moved once again to Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. After performing refueling commitments on a global scale for ten years, the squadron was deactivated on June 25, 1966. On September 30, 1985, the 307th was reactivated at a formal ceremony at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The squadron, assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing at Sawyer, was flying for the first time the KC-135A Stratotanker. The unit deactivated August 1, 1990.
Lineage
- Constituted as 307th Air Refueling Squadron, Medium and activated on 16 June 1950
- Inactivated on 18 Nov 1953
- Reactivated on 8 Nov 1954
- Discontinued and inactivated 25 Jun 1966
- Reactivated as 307th Air Refueling Squadron on 30 Sep 1985
- Inactivated on 1 Aug 1990
Assignments
- 307th Bombardment Wing, 16 June 1950-16 Sep 1950
- 43d Bombardment Wing, 16 Sep 1950-1 Aug 1951
- 47th Air Division, 1 Aug 1951-1 Jul 1953
- Attached to 6th Bombardment Wing, 1 Aug 1951 – 15 Jun 1952
- 42d Air Division42d Air DivisionThe 42d Air Division was a unit of the United States Air Force. It was established as the 42 Bombardment Wing on 8 February 1943. The wing first saw combat in September 1943. It was inactivated in 1991.-History:...
, 1 Jul 1953-18 Nov 1953 - 307th Bombardment Wing, 8 Nov 1954-1 Jun 1960
- 4045th Air Refueling Wing, 1 Jun 1960-1 Jan 1963
- 500th Air Refueling Wing500th Air Refueling WingThe 500th Air Refueling Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was at Selfridge AFB, Michigan. It was inactivated on 15 December 1964....
, 15 Dec 1964-25 Jun 1966 - 410th Bombardment Wing, 30 Sep 1985-1 Aug 1990
- 42d Air Division
Stations
- MacDill AFB, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 16 June 1950-16 Sep 1950 - Davis-Monthan AFB, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, 16 Sep 1950-1 Aug 1951 - Walker AFB, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, 1 Aug 1951-1 Jul 1953 - Bergstrom AFB, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 1 Jul 1953-18 Nov 1953 - Maxwell AFB, 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...
, 18 May 1954-8 Nov 1954 - Lincoln AFB, NebraskaNebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, 8 Nov 1954-1 Jun 1960 - Selfridge AFB, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, 1 Jun 1960-25 Jun 1966 - K.I. Sawyer AFB, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, 30 Sep 1985-1 Aug 1990
Aircraft
- KB-29M Superfortess, 1950-1951
- KB-29P Superfortress, 1951-1953
- KC-97G Stratotanker, 1954-1966
- KC-135A Stratotanker, 1985-1990