155th Air Refueling Wing

The 155th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Nebraska Air National Guard headquartered at Lincoln Air National Guard Base in Nebraska. Its principal federal mission is aerial refueling using the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker, an aircraft that extends the range and endurance of U.S. and allied aircraft and supports global air mobility operations. When federalized, the wing falls under the operational control of the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. In its normal National Guard status, it maintains a dual mission: supporting national defense while remaining available to the governor of Nebraska for state emergencies and disaster-response duties. The organization traces its lineage to the 155th Fighter Group, established in 1960 as an expansion of Nebraska's 173d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. The group initially operated the F-86L Sabre Interceptor in an air-defense role. Nebraska's Air National Guard aviation program earned notable recognition in the early 1960s, including repeated placements for the Spaatz Trophy and wins in the Winston P. Wilson Trophy competition. These awards reflected the unit's performance and readiness during its fighter-interceptor period. In 1964, the Nebraska Air Guard's mission changed from air defense to tactical reconnaissance. The organization was redesignated the 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, and its flying unit transitioned to the RF-84F Thunderstreak. Beginning in 1971 and continuing through 1972, the group converted to the RF-4C Phantom II, which became its principal reconnaissance aircraft. The group was subsequently redesignated the 155th Reconnaissance Group in 1992 as the Air Force reorganized its reconnaissance structure. A major strategic turning point came in the early 1990s, when the Air Force began retiring the remaining RF-4C fleet. The unit was directed in April 1992 to convert to the KC-135R Stratotanker. The first KC-135R arrived at Lincoln in September 1993, beginning the wing's transition from tactical reconnaissance to aerial refueling. The group was redesignated the 155th Air Refueling Group in January 1994, and after reaching initial operational capability ahead of schedule, it became the 155th Air Refueling Wing on 1 October 1995. The wing entered combat operations in April 1999 during Operation Allied Force, NATO's air campaign connected with the Kosovo conflict and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was the first Air National Guard tanker unit assigned to support that operation. The wing deployed two aircraft and more than 80 personnel to Germany in under three days and later served as the lead unit for American tanker operations from its German operating location. This deployment demonstrated the wing's ability to provide rapidly deployable air-refueling capability in an overseas contingency. The 155th also supports Nebraska directly. Historical state missions include Operation Snowbound in 1949, assistance following a tornado that devastated parts of Omaha in 1975, and Operation Bush Hog in 1997, when members helped Lincoln and nearby communities recover from a major snowstorm and widespread power disruption. The wing operates on a smaller scale than an active-duty air base but maintains continuous security and emergency-response functions. Full-time Air Force Security Forces personnel protect the installation and aircraft around the clock, while firefighters remain on station or on call. Other units are staffed by Active Guard Reserve personnel, civilian technicians, and traditional Guard members. Its current identity is therefore defined by a combination of KC-135R operations, expeditionary readiness, Air Mobility Command integration, and service to the state of Nebraska.

The 155th Air Refueling Wing was established within the Nebraska Air National Guard in 1960 as the 155th Fighter Group, following the expansion of the 173d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Federal recognition began on 1 July 1960, although the lineage records the group's establishment and allotment to the Air National Guard on 24 June. The new group was based at Lincoln Air Force Base, later known as Lincoln Air National Guard Base, and formed part of Nebraska's air-defense capability. Its initial aircraft was the F-86L Sabre Interceptor. During its early fighter period, the 173d unit achieved strong competitive results. It won the Spaatz Trophy in 1963 after finishing second and third in the preceding two years, and it won the Winston P. Wilson Trophy in 1962, 1963, and 1964. These accomplishments marked the organization as a high-performing Air National Guard flying unit. In May 1964, the Nebraska Air Guard changed from an air-defense mission to tactical reconnaissance. The 173d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron became the 173d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, and the parent organization was redesignated the 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group. The unit replaced its fighter-interceptor role with the RF-84F Thunderstreak. The first RF-4C Phantom II arrived at Lincoln in November 1971, and conversion from the RF-84F began in 1972. The Phantom II remained central to the group's reconnaissance mission for approximately two decades. The organization was redesignated the 155th Reconnaissance Group on 16 March 1992. That year, as the Air Force moved toward retirement of its remaining F-4 reconnaissance aircraft, the unit was directed to transition to the KC-135R Stratotanker. The first tanker arrived in September 1993. The organization became the 155th Air Refueling Group on 1 January 1994 and was assigned to the Air Mobility Command structure from that date. After attaining initial operational capability in aerial refueling three months ahead of schedule, it was redesignated the 155th Air Refueling Wing on 1 October 1995. The wing's first combat deployment in its tanker role occurred in April 1999 during Operation Allied Force. It sent two aircraft and more than 80 personnel to Germany in less than three days. The unit was the first Air Guard tanker organization assigned to support the NATO operation and became the lead unit for American tanker activity from its German operating base. The deployment established the wing's modern expeditionary identity. The wing has retained a separate state-support mission. Nebraska has called upon its Air Guard personnel for emergency response on numerous occasions, including Operation Snowbound in early 1949, assistance after a tornado struck Omaha in May 1975, and Operation Bush Hog during the November 1997 snowstorm. These missions illustrate the dual role of the Air National Guard: the wing can be employed by federal authorities for military operations or by the governor for domestic assistance. The wing remains stationed at Lincoln Air National Guard Base and operates KC-135R Stratotankers. Its associated 155th Operations Group has been part of the organization since approximately March 1994, while the historic flying squadron lineage evolved from the 173d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron through tactical reconnaissance and reconnaissance designations to the 173d Air Refueling Squadron. The wing's gaining commands changed as its mission changed: Air Defense Command initially, Tactical Air Command from 1964, Air Combat Command from 1992, and Air Mobility Command from 1994 onward.

• 1999

  First combat tanker deployment

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The wing deployed to Germany for Operation Allied Force and assumed a leading role in U.S. tanker operations supporting the NATO campaign.

• 1995

  Redesignated as an air refueling wing

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  After reaching initial operational capability ahead of schedule, the organization became the 155th Air Refueling Wing on 1 October.

• 1993

  First KC-135R arrives

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The first KC-135R reached Lincoln in September, beginning the wing's operational conversion to aerial refueling.

• 1992

  Conversion to the KC-135R mission directed

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The unit was directed to leave the RF-4C reconnaissance mission and prepare for aerial refueling operations with the KC-135R Stratotanker.

• 1971

  First RF-4C arrives

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The first McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II arrived at Lincoln, initiating the group's transition to a more capable reconnaissance platform.

• 1964

  Transition to tactical reconnaissance

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  The unit was redesignated the 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and moved from air defense to reconnaissance operations with the RF-84F Thunderstreak.

• 1960

  155th Fighter Group established

  [1]155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org

  Nebraska established the organization as the 155th Fighter Group, expanding the 173d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and beginning its service at Lincoln Air Force Base.

A dual-status military aviation organization providing globally deployable tanker capability for the United States Air Force while supporting the governor and communities of Nebraska during state emergencies.

• Aerial refueling aircraft · 1993

  KC-135R Stratotanker

  The KC-135R is the wing's current principal aircraft. It provides in-flight refueling for military aircraft, supports air mobility operations, and enables aircraft to remain airborne longer or reach destinations beyond their unrefueled range. The aircraft forms the foundation of the wing's federal expeditionary mission.

• Fighter-interceptor aircraft · 1960

  F-86L Sabre Interceptor

  The F-86L was the organization's initial aircraft after its establishment as the 155th Fighter Group. It supported the Nebraska Air National Guard's original air-defense mission during the early 1960s.

• Tactical reconnaissance aircraft · 1964

  RF-84F Thunderstreak

  The RF-84F became the unit's principal aircraft after Nebraska shifted from air defense to tactical reconnaissance in 1964. It represented the wing's first major post-fighter mission transition.

• Tactical reconnaissance aircraft · 1971

  RF-4C Phantom II

  The RF-4C replaced the RF-84F beginning in the early 1970s and served as the group's reconnaissance platform until the organization converted to aerial refueling in the 1990s.

• 1999Operation Allied Force

  Germany · Kosovo conflict theater

  The wing deployed KC-135R tankers and personnel to Germany in support of NATO's air campaign associated with the Kosovo conflict.

  Outcome. The wing became the lead American tanker unit at its German operating location and established its combat air-refueling role.

  Source
• 1997Operation Bush Hog

  Lincoln and neighboring Nebraska communities

  Air Guard members assisted communities affected by an early snowstorm that disrupted electricity across Nebraska.

  Outcome. The operation provided state emergency assistance during widespread infrastructure disruption.

  Source
• 1975Omaha tornado response

  Omaha, Nebraska

  In May 1975, 435 Air Guard members were activated to assist with security and recovery after a tornado damaged areas of Omaha.

  Outcome. The unit provided state-directed manpower during post-disaster recovery.

  Source
• 1949Operation Snowbound

  Nebraska

  Nebraska Air Guard personnel supported the state during a severe winter emergency known as Operation Snowbound.

  Outcome. The operation demonstrated the Guard's domestic emergency-response role.

  Source

• 1992

  Conversion from reconnaissance to aerial refuelingStrategy

  Background

  The Air Force's retirement of its remaining F-4 Phantom II aircraft required the unit to adopt a new mission.

  Action taken

  The organization began converting to KC-135R Stratotankers, with the first aircraft arriving in September 1993.

  Aftermath

  The unit reached initial operational capability in aerial refueling and became an air refueling wing in 1995.

  Source

• 1964

  Change from air defense to tactical reconnaissanceStrategy

  Background

  The Nebraska Air National Guard's mission was changed as the unit moved away from fighter-interceptor operations.

  Action taken

  The 155th Fighter Group became the 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and adopted reconnaissance aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The organization operated the RF-84F and later the RF-4C in a reconnaissance role.

  Source

1. 1155th Air Refueling Wingen.wikipedia.org
2. 2155th Air Refueling Wing official website155arw.ang.af.mil