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
Dates	1992–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Aerial refueling
Role	Air refueling, airlift support
Size	Wing
Garrison	RAF Mildenhall

100th Air Refueling Wing is a United States Air Force aerial refueling and support wing assigned to operations at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom. The wing provides strategic and tactical Air Mobility Command-aligned refueling, theater sustainment, and global reach for United States European Command, United States Africa Command, and NATO partners including Allied Command Operations and NATO Allied Air Command. It operates alongside multinational units such as Royal Air Force squadrons and supports exercises like Exercise Saber Strike and Atlantic Resolve.

Overview

The wing operates the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and coordinates with airlift platforms such as the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130 Hercules to sustain operations across European theatre and African theatre. Its peacetime mission integrates with U.S. Strategic Command deterrence and wartime contingency plans under United States Transportation Command. The unit maintains liaison with allied formations including French Air and Space Force, German Air Force, Italian Air Force, Spanish Air and Air Forces, and partner initiatives like Partnership for Peace.

History

Originating from antecedent organizations with roots in Strategic Air Command-era refueling concepts, the wing evolved amid post-Cold War realignments involving Base Realignment and Closure Commission decisions and NATO force posture reviews. During the 1990s the wing supported operations such as Operation Deny Flight, Operation Allied Force, and Operation Northern Watch, providing critical in-flight refueling to aircraft including McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Following the 9/11 attacks the wing executed sustained support for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, coordinating with carrier aviation from USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and expeditionary wings like 374th Airlift Wing.

Organization and Units

The wing comprises operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups modeled after Air Force wing structure established by H. H. Arnold-era reforms and later codified by Air Force Instruction 38-101. Operational squadrons have historically included refueling squadrons aligned with NATO taskings and contingency response elements interoperable with units from United States Marine Corps aviation and United States Navy tanker-support programs. Embedded liaison and exchange officers maintain ties to staffs at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and bilateral commands at RAF Lakenheath.

Aircraft and Equipment

Primary aircraft include the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, upgraded with Pacer CRAG avionics and interoperable refueling booms compatible with Probe-and-drogue and Flying Boom systems employed by F/A-18 Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Panavia Tornado aircraft. The wing utilizes ground support equipment standardized to NATO Standardization Agreement protocols and maintenance practices traceable to Air Force Materiel Command supply chains and depot-level support at Ogden Air Logistics Complex.

Operations and Deployments

The wing has executed a wide array of peacetime and contingency missions: routine aerial refueling sorties for Operation Atlantic Resolve rotations, theater tanker support during Operation Unified Protector, and aeromedical evacuation coordination with Air National Guard units during humanitarian crises such as 2010 Haiti earthquake relief. Deployments have included expeditionary detachments to Al Udeid Air Base, Incirlik Air Base, and forward operating locations supporting NATO air policing missions over Baltic States and Black Sea region contingencies. Exercises supported include Red Flag-adjacent European iterations, Operation Trident Juncture, and bilateral drills with Polish Air Force and Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Honors and Lineage

The wing traces lineage through strategic refueling organizations recognized by awards such as Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and theater-specific commendations coordinated with United States European Command and NATO situational commendations. Its heraldry and organizational history reflect transitions during the post-Cold War drawdown, the Goldwater–Nichols Act-era joint integration, and subsequent reassignments under Air Mobility Command and allied command relationships.

Notable Personnel

Personnel associated with the wing include commanders and staff officers who later served in senior positions within Air Mobility Command, United States European Command, and as exchange leaders with Royal Air Force and French Air and Space Force headquarters. Pilots and maintainers have been recipients of individual awards such as the Distinguished Flying Cross and assignments within joint staffs at NATO Allied Air Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe billets.

Category:United States Air Force wings Category:Air refueling wings