121st Air Refueling Wing
The 121st Air Refueling Wing is an Ohio Air National Guard unit based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base that operates Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 121st Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard headquartered at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. Its present mission centers on aerial refueling using the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, enabling U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and allied aircraft to remain airborne for longer periods and to operate over greater distances. The wing also supports air mobility and aeromedical evacuation, since its aircraft can carry litter and ambulatory patients with patient-support equipment. The organization traces its lineage to the post-Second World War reorganization of the Ohio Air National Guard. On 31 October 1950, the 121st Fighter Wing was activated as the National Guard adopted the wing-base organizational structure. Its early components included fighter and light-bomber units operating aircraft such as the RB-26C Invader, F-51H Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star, F-84 Thunderjet, and F-84F Thunderstreak. During the Korean War period, several associated Ohio units were federalized or reassigned to active-duty commands, while others continued air-defense duties from Ohio bases. During the 1950s and early 1960s, the wing’s organization and aircraft changed repeatedly as the Air National Guard adapted to jet operations, air-defense requirements, and new basing arrangements. In 1960, the wing moved back to Lockbourne Air Force Base, now Rickenbacker. During the 1961 Berlin Crisis, the 121st Tactical Fighter Wing was federalized for twelve months. A portion of its personnel and aircraft deployed to Étain-Rouvres Air Base in France, while other elements remained attached to Ohio Air National Guard headquarters or continued missions from domestic locations. The wing’s lineage also became closely connected with the Ohio Air National Guard’s expansion into separately organized tactical fighter and air-refueling groups. The 160th Air Refueling Group, initially based at Clinton County Air Force Base, operated KC-97 aircraft and later moved to Lockbourne after Clinton County closed in 1971. The refueling mission became increasingly important as the Air National Guard assumed recurring overseas support responsibilities. Among these activities was Operation Creek Party, a rotational air-refueling operation from Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany that ran from 1967 to 1975 and supported U.S. Air Forces in Europe aircraft. The wing and its associated units also participated in Cold War and Vietnam-era operations. Fighter elements flew F-100 Super Sabres and undertook federalized deployments, including a 1968–69 deployment of Ohio and Kansas Air National Guard squadrons to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. These experiences contributed to the broader development of the U.S. Air Force’s total-force concept, in which reserve-component units were integrated into operational planning rather than treated solely as emergency manpower. Today, the 121st Air Refueling Wing is organized around operational, maintenance, mission-support, and medical functions. Its principal subordinate elements include the 121st Operations Group, the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, the 121st Maintenance Group, the 121st Mission Support Group, and the 121st Medical Group. If activated for federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force through Air Mobility Command. Its identity therefore combines state-level National Guard service with a federal expeditionary role, and its principal value is operational readiness, aerial refueling capacity, mobility support, and assistance to joint and coalition air operations.
History
The 121st Air Refueling Wing originated during the Ohio Air National Guard’s postwar restructuring. On 31 October 1950, the 121st Fighter Wing was activated under the wing-base organization, absorbing the operational and support structure previously associated with the 55th Fighter Wing. Its early elements included the 121st Fighter Group and several Ohio-based squadrons, including the 112th Bombardment Squadron, which operated RB-26C Invaders. The Korean War produced extensive federalization and reassignment of Ohio units. The 112th was called to federal service in October 1950, redesignated as a tactical reconnaissance squadron, and deployed to Europe. The 164th and 166th Fighter Squadrons were federalized in February 1951 for air-defense assignments, while the 162d remained in Ohio. After returning to state control, the units moved through a succession of aircraft and missions, including F-51H Mustangs, F-80 Shooting Stars, F-84E Thunderjets, and F-84F Thunderstreaks. New or expanded facilities at Springfield, Toledo, Mansfield, and other Ohio locations reflected the practical demands of jet operations. The wing returned to Lockbourne Air Force Base in March 1960. During the Berlin Crisis, the 121st Tactical Fighter Wing was federalized on 1 October 1961. Its planned mission was reinforcement of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and elements deployed to Étain-Rouvres Air Base in France. The deployment was limited by funding, but personnel and aircraft-support elements served overseas until the return process in 1962. The wing’s personnel left France while aircraft and equipment remained to support the formation of another tactical fighter wing. A major organizational change followed in 1962, when several Ohio Air National Guard squadrons became parts of separately recognized groups. The 160th Air Refueling Group was established in 1961 at Clinton County Air Force Base and operated KC-97 aircraft. In 1967, its refueling personnel began Operation Creek Party, a recurring deployment from Rhein-Main Air Base that supplied aerial refueling to U.S. Air Forces in Europe tactical aircraft. The operation continued until 1975 and demonstrated that Air National Guard units could perform sustained overseas missions without continuous full mobilization. When Clinton County closed in 1971, the refueling group moved to Lockbourne. Other associated Ohio fighter units flew F-100 Super Sabres during the Vietnam era. Ohio and Kansas Air National Guard squadrons were federalized and deployed to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, in 1968–69. Their deterrence and air-defense activities, together with combat-related temporary assignments, helped inform the total-force policy adopted in 1970. The organization’s later identity became centered on air refueling rather than tactical fighter operations. Its current structure includes the 121st Operations Group, 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Maintenance Group, 121st Mission Support Group, and 121st Medical Group. The wing now operates KC-135 Stratotankers from Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base and remains available for state missions or federal activation through Air Mobility Command.
- 1971
Refueling group moved to Lockbourne
[1]Following the closure of Clinton County Air Force Base, the 160th Air Refueling Group moved to Lockbourne near Columbus.
- 1967
Operation Creek Party began
[1]The Ohio Air National Guard began a recurring air-refueling rotation from Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany in support of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
- 1961
Berlin Crisis federalization
[1]The 121st Tactical Fighter Wing was called to federal active duty for twelve months and deployed personnel to Étain-Rouvres Air Base in France.
- 1961
160th Air Refueling Group established
[1]The 160th Air Refueling Group received federal recognition at Clinton County Air Force Base and began operating the KC-97 mission.
- 1960
Wing returned to Lockbourne
[1]The 121st moved back to Lockbourne Air Force Base, the installation now known as Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.
- 1951
Ohio units federalized during the Korean War
[1]Several associated squadrons entered federal service for reconnaissance or air-defense assignments in the United States, Europe, and other operational commands.
- 1950
121st Fighter Wing activated
[1]The 121st Fighter Wing was activated on 31 October 1950 during the Ohio Air National Guard’s adoption of the wing-base organizational structure.
Products and positioning
A mission-ready Ohio Air National Guard wing providing dependable aerial refueling, mobility, and medical-support capability for U.S. and allied air operations.
Aerial refueling aircraft
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
The KC-135 is the wing’s principal operational aircraft. It extends the range and endurance of U.S. and allied aircraft by transferring fuel in flight. The platform can also support air mobility and aeromedical evacuation missions, carrying litter and ambulatory patients with patient-support pallets when configured for that role.
Air refueling and transport aircraft
KC-97 Stratofreighter
The Ohio Air National Guard’s refueling lineage included the KC-97, operated by the 160th Air Refueling Group during the early 1960s. The group later used KC-97L aircraft fitted with additional jet engines before the organization’s eventual transition to later air-refueling capabilities.
Tactical fighter aircraft
F-100 Super Sabre
Several Ohio Air National Guard fighter elements associated with the wing operated F-100C, F-100D, and F-100F Super Sabres during the Vietnam and late Cold War period. These aircraft supported tactical fighter training, readiness inspections, air defense, and overseas deployments.
Marketing campaigns
- 1967Operation Creek Party
United States · West Germany · Europe
A continuous rotational air-refueling mission from Rhein-Main Air Base supported U.S. Air Forces in Europe tactical aircraft. The operation demonstrated the ability of Air National Guard personnel to sustain recurring overseas operations without full mobilization.
Outcome. The mission continued until 1975 and was subsequently taken over by active-duty Strategic Air Command forces.
Brand decisions
1971
Relocation after Clinton County closureStrategyBackground
Clinton County Air Force Base was closed during a period of defense-cost reductions and force restructuring.
Action taken
The 160th Air Refueling Group moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus.
Aftermath
The relocation concentrated the Ohio Air National Guard’s air-refueling capability near the organization’s Columbus-area base.
1962
Expansion into group-level organizationsStrategyBackground
The Ohio Air National Guard reorganized several squadrons into separately recognized tactical fighter and air-refueling groups after the 121st’s return from the 1961–62 France deployment.
Action taken
The 160th Air Refueling Group and additional tactical fighter groups received federal recognition, while operational squadrons were reassigned to the new structures.
Aftermath
The reorganization established a broader Ohio Air National Guard structure and strengthened the institutional basis for separate fighter and air-refueling missions.
Sources2 sources
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