931st Air Refueling Wing

931st Air Refueling Wing
Unit name	931st Air Refueling Wing
Caption	KC-135R Stratotanker similar to aircraft operated
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force Reserve Command
Role	Air Refueling
Garrison	McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas
Equipment	Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

931st Air Refueling Wing is a United States Air Force Reserve unit assigned to the Fourth Air Force and stationed at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, where it operates the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. The wing provides aerial refueling, airlift augmentation, and contingency response capabilities in support of combatant commanders, allied forces, and homeland defense, integrating with active duty, National Guard, and joint forces. It traces lineage through Cold War Reserve airlift missions to modern expeditionary tanker operations supporting operations worldwide.

Overview

The wing falls under the Air Force Reserve Command and is operationally gained by Air Mobility Command. Its home at McConnell Air Force Base places it alongside active duty units such as the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and supports regional defense partners including the North American Aerospace Defense Command and theater campaigns like Operation Inherent Resolve. The unit's peacetime and contingency activities interface with organizations such as U.S. Transportation Command, Pacific Air Forces, and United States European Command during global deployments and exercises.

History

Constituted during the Cold War era, the wing evolved from earlier reserve formations that responded to crises like the Berlin Crisis and the Vietnam War by providing airlift and support. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s it transitioned roles and equipment amid force restructuring influenced by events including the Gulf War and post-Cold War drawdowns. The wing participated in operations supporting Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and later contingency operations including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Organizational changes mirrored broader USAF Reserve realignments associated with the Goldwater–Nichols Act and base realignment processes.

Mission and Operations

The wing's primary mission is aerial refueling using the KC-135, enabling extended range and endurance for aircraft such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, B-52 Stratofortress, and A-10 Thunderbolt II. It also provides airlift augmentation for platforms like the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules and supports air mobility tasks coordinated by U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command. Operations include tanker tasking for NATO exercises, theater sustainment flights for CENTCOM, and staffing for Air Expeditionary Force rotations. The wing integrates with reserve components such as the Air National Guard and collaborates with partner air forces during multinational training events like Red Flag and Green Flag.

Aircraft and Equipment

The unit operates the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, including variants such as the KC-135R, performing boom and drogue-capable refueling for receiver aircraft like the AV-8B Harrier II and F/A-18 Hornet. Support equipment includes refueling drogues, inertial navigation systems compatible with receiver avionics like the AN/ASN-138, and maintenance platforms used across USAF tanker fleets. Historically the wing transitioned airframes in line with USAF modernization efforts that also affected units flying C-124 Globemaster II and C-141 Starlifter in other reserve wings.

Organizational Structure

The wing is commanded by a wing commander and composed of operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups analogous to structure in units such as the 436th Airlift Wing and 305th Air Mobility Wing. Squadrons under the wing mirror established USAF Reserve squadron types, coordinating with higher echelons like Fourth Air Force and operationally under Air Mobility Command when mobilized. It works alongside tenant units at McConnell including the 184th Intelligence Wing and supports joint force air components such as Air Forces Central.

Notable Deployments and Exercises

The wing has deployed aircraft and personnel to support major operations including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing tanker support to strike, reconnaissance, and transport missions. It regularly participates in multinational exercises such as Red Flag, Green Flag, Operation Immediate Response, and Baltic Air Policing-support rotations, and has flown contingency missions in coordination with NATO and partner nations during crises like the Balkans conflicts and stability operations in the Middle East.

Decorations and Awards

Through its history the wing and its predecessor units have received campaign participation credits and unit awards consistent with deployments supporting Southwest Asia campaigns, Global War on Terrorism operations, and humanitarian responses. Awards align with recognitions used across USAF units such as the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and theater-specific campaign streamers awarded for service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Category:Wings of the United States Air Force Category:Air refueling wings