100th Air Refueling Wing

100th Air Refueling Wing
U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere · Public domain · source
Unit name	100th Air Refueling Wing
Caption	Emblem of the 100th Air Refueling Wing
Dates	1942–1945; 1946–1949; 1952–1953; 1955–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Air Refueling
Role	Global Reach
Size	Wing
Command structure	United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa / Third Air Force
Garrison	RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom
Nickname	The Bloody Hundredth
Motto	"Freedom's Sword"
Battles	World War II, European Theater of Operations, Cold War, Global War on Terrorism
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Current commander	Colonel [Commander's Name]
Aircraft tanker	Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

100th Air Refueling Wing. A premier air refueling unit of the United States Air Force, currently stationed at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. Operating the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, it provides critical global reach for United States European Command and NATO operations. The wing is the successor to the famed 100th Bombardment Group of World War II, inheriting its storied history and the nickname "The Bloody Hundredth."

History

The unit's origins trace to the activation of the 100th Bombardment Group at Gowen Field, Idaho in 1942. As part of the Eighth Air Force, it deployed to RAF Thorpe Abbotts in England and began combat operations in 1943, flying the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The group suffered severe casualties during strategic bombing campaigns over Nazi Germany, earning its enduring nickname during missions targeting Berlin, Schweinfurt, and Münster. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for actions over Bremen and Berlin. Post-war, the unit was inactivated in 1945, but was later redesignated and reactivated multiple times during the Cold War, transitioning from bombers to Strategic Air Command tankers. It has supported every major United States Air Forces in Europe operation since, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, and the Global War on Terrorism.

Mission and organization

The primary mission is to conduct air refueling and air mobility operations across the European Theater and beyond, extending the global reach of USAFE-AFAFRICA and allied air forces. The wing is composed of several groups and squadrons, including the 100th Operations Group, which oversees flying operations, and the 100th Maintenance Group. Key subordinate units are the 351st Air Refueling Squadron and the 100th Air Refueling Squadron, which execute the aerial refueling sorties. The wing also partners closely with the 352nd Special Operations Wing, co-located at RAF Mildenhall, to support special operations missions. It falls under the operational control of Third Air Force and provides essential support to United States European Command, United States Africa Command, and NATO.

Aircraft

Since 1992, the primary aircraft has been the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, a four-engine jet tanker capable of refueling a wide variety of United States Air Force, United States Navy, and allied aircraft in flight. The wing's fleet of KC-135R models is equipped with upgraded CFM International CFM56 engines for improved performance and efficiency. These aircraft are vital for supporting deployments of fighter aircraft like the F-15 Eagle and F-35 Lightning II, as well as larger assets such as the E-3 Sentry and C-17 Globemaster III. The aircraft's flying boom and drogue systems allow it to refuel most receiver aircraft operated by NATO allies, including the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale.

Bases and assignments

The wing is permanently based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, a forward operating location critical for power projection into Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa. Previous significant bases have included Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire and Beale Air Force Base in California. It is assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and is gained by the Air Mobility Command for its core refueling mission. The wing frequently deploys aircraft and personnel to forward locations such as RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Morón Air Base in Spain, and Incirlik Air Base in Turkey to support ongoing operations and exercises like Operation Inherent Resolve and NATO Air Policing.

Emblem and lineage

The wing's emblem, approved in 1956, features a Sword pointing downward, symbolizing the "Freedom's Sword" motto, superimposed over a cloud formation, representing the unit's aerial domain. The lineage and honors of the 100th Bombardment Group from World War II are carried forward, including its campaign streamers for the Air Offensive, Europe and Normandy. The distinctive nickname "The Bloody Hundredth" remains a central part of the unit's identity, commemorating the sacrifice and resilience of its predecessors. This heritage is also preserved by the 100th Bomb Group Foundation and is famously depicted in the Apple TV+ series "*Masters of the Air*".

Category:United States Air Force wings Category:Air refueling units and formations of the United States Air Force Category:Military units and formations in Suffolk