168th Air Refueling Squadron

168th Air Refueling Squadron
168th Air Refueling Squadron – Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 63-8876
Active	1942–1946; 1947–1953; 1953–1968; 1986–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Alaska
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Squadron
Role	Air refueling
Part of	Alaska Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska
Nickname(s)	Chena[citation needed]
Engagements	Mediterranean Theater of Operations Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II[1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation French Croix de Guerre with Palm[1]
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Colonel Dean Thibodeau
Insignia
168th Air Refueling Squadron emblem
168th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem
168th Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem[a]
Unofficial 437th Bombardment Squadron emblem[2]
Tail Stripe	Blue tail stripe "Alaska" in yellow

The 168th Air Refueling Squadron is a unit of the Alaska Air National Guard 168th Air Refueling Wing located at Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska. The 168th is equipped with the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker.

History

World War II

Organization and preparation for combat

The squadron was first activated on 26 June 1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana, as one of the four original squadrons of the 319th Bombardment Group. a Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombardment group.^[1][3][4] The squadron trained for combat at Barksdale and Harding Field, in Louisiana. The air echelon began ferrying its aircraft to England via the North Atlantic route on 27 August 1942, with the squadron officially moving to RAF Shipdham on 12 September 1942. By late October to early November,^[b] squadron aircraft were in place at RAF Horsham St Faith.^[1][5] The ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Mary on 5 September.^[5]

Mediterranean Theater of Operations

The air echelon of the squadron departed England on 12 November 1942 for Saint-Leu Airfield, Algeria. Although this was supposed to be a simple repositioning flight, it became the squadron's introduction to combat when the 319th Group formation strayed from its planned route and flew over occupied France, where they were attacked by German aircraft.^[6] Some of the ground echelon had made the amphibious landing at Arzeu beach on 8 November.^[3] However, it was not until the following March that all aircraft had made the move to North Africa.^[5]

The squadron began combat quickly, flying its first sorties during November. Until March 1943, it made strikes at enemy targets in Tunisia, including railroads, airfields, and harbor installations. It struck enemy shipping in the Mediterranean Sea to block reinforcements and supplies from reaching opposing Axis forces.^[3]

In March 1943, the squadron was withdrawn from combat and moved to Oujda Airfield, French Morocco for a period of reorganization and training. On 1 June, it moved forward to Sedrata Airfield, Algeria and resumed combat operations. It participated in Operation Corkscrew, the reduction of Pantelleria, that month. The following month it provided air support for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. After Sicily fell, it directed most of its attacks on targets in Italy. It supported Operation Avalanche, the invasion of Italy, in September. These operations concentrated on airfields, marshalling yards airfields, viaducts, gun sites and other defense positions. In November, it moved from Africa to Decimomannu Airfield, Sardinia to shorten the range to targets in central Italy.^[3]

From January to March 1944, the squadron supported Allied ground forces as they advanced in the Battle of Monte Cassino and Operation Shingle, the landings at Anzio. As ground forces approached Rome, it flew interdiction missions. On 3 March 1944, the squadron earned a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for an attack on rail facilities in Rome, while carefully avoiding damage to religious and cultural monuments. Eight days later, it earned a second DC for an attack on marshalling yards in Florence, disrupting communications between Florence and Rome. Its support of French forces between April and June earned the squadron the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.^[3]

In August and September 1944, the squadron supported Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, moving forward to Serragia Airfield, Corsica the following month. It attacked German supply lines in northern Italy, including bombing bridges over the Po River. It also attacked some targets in Yugoslavia. It continued combat operations while transitioning into the North American B-25 Mitchell from its Marauders. At the end of the year, the squadron was withdrawn from combat and returned to the United States in January 1945 to begin training with the Douglas A-26 Invader in preparation for deployment to the Western Pacific.^[3]

The squadron completed its training in the new bomber and departed to reenter combat in April 1945. It arrived on Okinawa in early July and was estblished at Machinato Airfield later that month. It flew its first mission in the Pacific on 16 July 1945.^{[citation needed]} It flew missions in China and Japan, attacking airfields, shipping, marshalling yards, industrial centers and other targets until V-J Day. It was briefly assigned to VII Bomber Command when the 319th departed Okinawa on 21 November 1945. The squadron left in December, and was inactivated at the Port of Embarkation on 6 January 1946.^[1][3]

Illinois Air National Guard

The 437th Bombardment Squadron was redesignated the 168th Bombardment Squadron, and allotted to the National Guard, on 24 May 1946.^[1] It was organized at Orchard Place Airport, Chicago, Illinois, and was extended federal recognition on 19 October 1947 by the National Guard Bureau. The squadron was equipped with Douglas A-26 Invaders^[c] and was assigned to the 126th Bombardment Group, operationally gained by Tactical Air Command.

Korean War activation

On 1 April 1951 the 168th was federalized and brought to active duty due to the Korean War, and moved to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. At Langley, the 168th Bombardment Squadron remained assigned to the 126th Bombardment Group, which had also been called to active duty. The 126th Group consisted of the 168th, along with the 108th, 115th and the 180th Bombardment Squadrons from the Illinois, California and Missouri Air National Guard, although the 115th was soon reassigned to another wing.^[7] The aircraft were marked by various color bands on the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Black/Yellow/Blue for the 108th; Black/Yellow/Red for the 168th, and Black/Yellow/Green for the 180th.^{[citation needed]} On active duty, the 126th Group completed its reorganization under the Wing Base organization system as part of the 126th Bombardment Wing. The squadron trained intensively for combat operations, but instead of being sent to reinforce Far East Air Forces, it was ordered to France to augment the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. the squadron was to be stationed at Laon-Couvron Air Base, France, but Laon was not ready to receive a combat wing, so the unit was initially stationed at Bordeaux-Mérignac Air Base, France.^[7]

The squadron's air echelon was the last in the 126th Wing to leave for France, taking off from Langley on 2 November. During its flight across the North Atlantic, it was accompanied by a pair of Douglas C-47 Skytrains to provide communications support.^[8] The ground echelon sailed for France aboard the USS General H. F. Hodges.^[9]

Starting in April 1952, the squadron was tasked to support USAF Project 7109. Under this project, it deployed crews to the Korean /war fir 90 day temporary duty. This project provided the unit with a cadre of experienced combat crews, and helped alleviate a shortage of crews in combat. The squadron continued to support his program until it was inactivated and returned to the National Guard.^[10]

After training and organization, the 126th Bombardment Wing was reassigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and deployed to Bordeaux-Merignac Air Base, France with the first elements arriving in November 1951. By 10 November, Bordeaux was considered an operational base and was assigned to Twelfth Air Force. It flew B-26's for training and maneuvers and stayed at Bordeaux until being transferred Laon-Couvron Air Base, France on 25 May 1952.

At Laon, the 168th used its B-26's for training and maneuvers until December until being relieved from active duty and transferred, without personnel and equipment, back to the United States where the unit was returned to the control of the Air National Guard on 1 January 1953. Its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the 405th Bombardment Squadron, which was simultaneously activated at Laon.^[11]

Cold War inactivation

After returning from France, was re-equipped with North American F-51D Mustangs due to the limited availability of jets which were being used by the USAF in the Korean War. In early 1955, was upgraded to new Republic F-84F Thunderstreak jet fighters.

The squadron was inactivated 31 May 1958 and withdrawn from the Illinois Air National Guard.

Alaska Air National Guard

In 1986 the 168th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was transferred from the Illinois ANG to the Alaska Air National Guard. It was redesignated as the 168th Air Refueling Squadron, extended federal recognition and reactivated on 1 October 1986. The lineage, history and honors of the 168th FIS and all previous designations were bestowed on the 168th ARS.

The reactivated squadron was assigned to the Alaska Air National Gusrd's 176th Composite Group, which was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. The 168th would operate as a geographically separated unit at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. It was equipped with Boeing KC-135E Stratotankers and assumed an air refueling mission. The first commanding officer of the squadron was Lt Col. William "Doug" Clinton. The first rendezvous and refueling of the squadron occurred just weeks after the arrival of the first aircraft. The pilot in command was Lt Col Tom Gresch and the navigator conducting the rendezvous was Capt Michael R. Stack, formerly of the 126th Air Refueling Wing. For the next four years the squadron would provide air refueling support for the 6th Strategic Wing and all other tactical and strategic units in Alaska and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). In addition, because of Alaska's strategic geographical location, the 168th supported air refueling operations for USAFE.

On 1 July 1990, the 168th was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 168th Air Refueling Group was established. The 168th Squadron becoming the group's flying squadron. It also changed equipment to the KC-135D Stratotanker. Shortly afterward, on 9 August, Alaskan Air Command was redesignated and the group came under Eleventh Air Force, PACAF.

In 1992, the 168th Group was changed in status to a wing, the 168th Air Refueling Squadron being assigned to the new 168th Operations Group. In January 1994 and again in January 1996, the 168 Wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service both in the Alaskan and Southwest Asian theaters for the periods of 8 January 1991 to 7 January 1993 and 8 January 1993 to June 1995

Lineage

• Constituted as the 437th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 19 June 1942

Activated on 26 June 1942

Redesignated 437th Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. 1944

Redesignated 437th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 3 February 1945

Inactivated on 4 January 1946

• Redesignated 168th Bombardment Squadron, Light and allotted to the National Guard on 24 May 1946^[12]

Activated on 21 August 1947

Extended federal recognition on 19 October 1947

Federalized and ordered to active service on 1 April 1951

Released from active service, returned to state control and redesignated 168th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 1 January 1953

Activated c. 1 May 1953

Redesignated 168th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 July 1955

Inactivated on 31 May 1958

• Withdrawn from the Illinois Air National Guard and allotted to the Alaska Air National Guard, 1986

Redesignated 168th Air Refueling Squadron, Heavy on 1 October 1986^[13]

Activated and extended federal recognition on 25 October 1986

Redesignated 168th Air Refueling Squadron on 15 March 1992

Assignments

• 319th Bombardment Group, 26 June 1942
• VII Bomber Command, 18 December 1945 – 4 January 1946^[12]
• 126th Bombardment Group (later 126th Composite Group, 126th Bombardment Group), 19 October 1947 – 1 January 1953
• 126th Fighter Bomber Group (later 126th Fighter Interceptor Group), 1 January 1953 – 31 May 1958
• Alaska Air National Guard, 1 October 1986^[13]
• 176th Composite Group, 25 October 1986
• 168th Air Refueling Group, 1 July 1990
• 168th Operations Group, 1 June 1992 – present

Stations

Aircraft

Operations and decorations

• Campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, with Arrowhead; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Ryukyus; China Offensive. Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus
• Decorations:

Distinguished Unit Citations: Rome, Italy, 3 Mar 1944; Florence, Italy, 11 Mar 1944

French Croix de Guerre with Palm; Apr, May and Jun 1944.

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

Citations

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Freeman, Roger A. (1970). The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force). London, England, UK: Macdonald and Company. ISBN 978-0-87938-638-2.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• McAuliffe, Lt Col Jerome J. (2005). U.S. Air Force in France 1950-1967. San Diego, CA: Milspec Press. ISBN 978-0-9770371-1-7.
• Watkins, Robert A. (2009). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. Vol. IV, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Atglen,Pennsylvania: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-3401-6.

External links

• 168th Air Refueling Wing (official site)
• Eielson Air Force Base
• Alaska Air National Guard

This page was last edited on 14 April 2024, at 23:59