160th Air Refueling Group
The 160th Air Refueling Group was an Ohio Air National Guard aerial-refueling organization that supported domestic, transatlantic, strategic, and Middle Eastern operations from 1961 until its inactivation in 1993.
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Overview
The 160th Air Refueling Group was an inactive Ohio Air National Guard unit responsible for coordinating an aerial-refueling squadron and its associated support organizations. It was federally recognized on 8 July 1961 after the Ohio Air National Guard's 145th Aeromedical Evacuation Transport Squadron was converted into the 145th Air Refueling Squadron. The new group initially operated Boeing KC-97 Stratofortress aircraft and included the 160th Air Base Squadron and 160th Material Squadron, with the 145th Air Refueling Squadron serving as its flying component. The group was initially gained by Tactical Air Command. Its support structure was reorganized in 1962 to align with other TAC-associated groups, including activation of the 160th USAF Dispensary and replacement of the air base squadron by the 160th Combat Support Squadron. During the 1960s, the unit became an important part of the Air National Guard's growing ability to perform overseas missions without full mobilization. It participated in Operation Ready Go in 1964, an early all-Air National Guard nonstop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe, and in 1965 upgraded its KC-97Gs to KC-97Ls by adding auxiliary jet engines. From 1967 through 1975, the 160th took part in Operation Creek Party, a rotational program that supplied air-refueling support to United States Air Forces in Europe tactical aircraft operating from Rhein-Main Air Base in West Germany. The unit was one of the operation's charter participants and completed 426 transatlantic crossings. Its performance earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period from June 1967 to May 1968, followed by a second award covering May 1968 through June 1975. The group moved from Clinton County Air Force Base to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus in 1971 after the former installation was closed. Lockbourne was renamed Rickenbacker Air Force Base in 1974 and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in 1980. In December 1974, Strategic Air Command became the gaining command for the group. In 1975, the 160th became the first Air National Guard unit to convert to the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker. It subsequently became the first Air National Guard organization to perform SAC's 24-hour alert mission and successfully complete a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection in July 1976. The unit also participated in overseas Tanker Task Forces and other worldwide priority missions. Its KC-135A aircraft were re-engined as KC-135Es in 1984, improving performance, reliability, and safety. The group played a substantial role during the Gulf crisis and war. Beginning in August 1990, aircraft, aircrews, and support personnel volunteered for deployments to the Middle East following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The group was called to active duty on 20 December 1990, and deployments began later that month. Its personnel and aircraft were distributed among provisional tanker units in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while other personnel supported operations at Morón Air Base in Spain and elsewhere. The 160th flew air-bridge missions that helped move combat forces to Southwest Asia and began combat refueling missions during Operation Desert Storm on 17 January 1991. It returned to Ohio in March 1991. The unit's long-running SAC alert mission ended in September 1991. The 145th Air Refueling Squadron began converting to KC-135R aircraft in October 1991. After Strategic Air Command was inactivated in 1992, the group passed to Air Mobility Command and was redesignated without the former tactical, medium, or heavy suffixes. Budget reductions and an Ohio Air National Guard reorganization led to its inactivation on 1 October 1993. The 145th Air Refueling Squadron transferred to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker, creating a larger wing structure and eliminating duplicate headquarters and support functions. The 160th therefore survives primarily as a historical designation rather than an active operating organization.
History
The 160th Air Refueling Group was constituted for the Air National Guard on 13 March 1961 and received federal recognition in Ohio on 8 July of that year. Its creation followed the conversion of the 145th Aeromedical Evacuation Transport Squadron into the 145th Air Refueling Squadron. The new headquarters was established to manage the flying squadron and supporting organizations, initially including the 160th Air Base Squadron and 160th Material Squadron. The group's first aircraft were Boeing KC-97 Stratofortresses. Tactical Air Command was the group's initial gaining command. In 1962, its support units were reorganized along TAC lines: the 160th USAF Dispensary was activated and the 160th Combat Support Squadron replaced the air base squadron. In 1964, the organization participated in Operation Ready Go, an all-Air National Guard nonstop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe. The following year, its KC-97Gs were upgraded to KC-97Ls through the installation of auxiliary jet engines on the outer wings. The group became a charter participant in Operation Creek Party in 1967. Under this program, Air National Guard tanker crews and aircraft rotated through Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany to provide refueling support to United States Air Forces in Europe tactical aircraft. The arrangement demonstrated that the Air National Guard could sustain significant overseas operations without full mobilization. By the end of its participation in 1975, the 160th had completed 426 transatlantic crossings. The group earned an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period from 5 June 1967 to 10 May 1968. It received a second award, with a first oak leaf cluster, for the period from 11 May 1968 to 30 June 1975. Clinton County Air Force Base closed in 1971 as part of a national economy measure, and the group moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus. The installation became Rickenbacker Air Force Base in 1974 and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in 1980. In December 1974, Strategic Air Command became the gaining command for air-refueling units. In 1975, the 160th became the first Air National Guard unit to convert to KC-135 Stratotankers. It also became the first Air National Guard unit to undertake SAC's continuous 24-hour alert mission and to pass a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection in July 1976. Further duties included SAC Tanker Task Forces and other priority missions around the world. The KC-135A fleet was re-engined and redesignated KC-135E in 1984. This turbofan conversion increased operational performance and improved reliability and safety. In September 1991, the group's more than fifteen-year SAC alert commitment ended. The 145th Air Refueling Squadron began transitioning to KC-135R aircraft in October of that year. The Gulf crisis brought the group into a major expeditionary role. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, volunteers from the 160th deployed with aircraft and support personnel to a provisional tanker task force at King Abdul Aziz Air Base in Jeddah. The group was called to active duty on 20 December 1990, and its deployment to the region began on 28 December. Aircraft and crews were assigned to provisional air-refueling squadrons at Al Bateen Air Base near Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Air Base in Dubai, and Jeddah. Other personnel supported the regional base at Morón Air Base in Spain or replaced active-duty personnel at additional locations. The group flew air-bridge missions supporting the movement of forces to Southwest Asia and began combat missions during Operation Desert Storm on 17 January 1991. It returned home in March. Strategic Air Command was inactivated in June 1992, after which the group's gaining-command relationship moved to Air Mobility Command. The unit was redesignated simply as the 160th Air Refueling Group on 16 March 1992. In September 1993, budget reductions and the restructuring of Ohio Air National Guard refueling assets led to the elimination of the group's headquarters and duplicate support functions. The group was inactivated on 1 October 1993. The 145th Air Refueling Squadron joined the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker, helping form a larger wing with two flying squadrons and an expanded aircraft complement. The group had no commercial brand activity, public-company structure, or consumer product portfolio; its identity was that of a military organization and historical unit designation.
- 1993
Inactivation
[1]The group was inactivated on 1 October after an Ohio Air National Guard reorganization. The 145th Air Refueling Squadron transferred to the 121st Air Refueling Wing.
- 1991
Desert Storm combat support
[1]The group began combat-refueling missions on 17 January and returned to Ohio in March.
- 1990
Middle East deployment
[1]The group deployed aircraft, crews, and support personnel for Operation Desert Shield after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
- 1984
KC-135 re-engining
[1]The group's KC-135A aircraft were re-engined and redesignated KC-135E, improving performance, reliability, and safety.
- 1976
SAC alert and readiness achievement
[1]The 160th became the first Air National Guard unit to perform SAC's 24-hour alert mission and pass a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection.
- 1975
Conversion to KC-135
[1]The group became the first Air National Guard unit to convert to Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers.
- 1971
Relocation to Lockbourne
[1]After Clinton County Air Force Base closed, the group moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus, Ohio.
- 1967
Operation Creek Party begins
[1]The 160th became a charter unit in the long-running rotational tanker operation from Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany.
- 1965
KC-97 fleet upgraded
[1]The unit's KC-97G aircraft were modified with auxiliary jet engines and redesignated KC-97L.
- 1964
Operation Ready Go
[1]The group participated in an early all-Air National Guard nonstop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe.
Products and positioning
A state-based Air National Guard aerial-refueling organization positioned as a deployable tanker force able to support domestic readiness, transatlantic operations, strategic alert duties, and expeditionary combat missions.
Military aerial-refueling aircraft · 1961
Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter
The KC-97 was the group's initial tanker aircraft after its formation in 1961. The unit first operated KC-97Gs and later received KC-97Ls fitted with auxiliary jet engines. These aircraft supported domestic training, transatlantic operations, and the early years of Operation Creek Party before the group transitioned to jet-powered KC-135 aircraft.
Military aerial-refueling aircraft · 1975
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
The KC-135 became the group's principal tanker platform after its 1975 conversion, making the 160th the first Air National Guard unit to operate the type. KC-135As supported SAC alert duties, overseas tanker task forces, and worldwide priority missions. The aircraft were re-engined as KC-135Es in 1984, and the 145th Air Refueling Squadron began transitioning to KC-135Rs in 1991.
Marketing campaigns
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Southwest Asia
The group's crews and aircraft conducted combat-refueling missions beginning on 17 January 1991.
Outcome. The unit completed its deployment and returned to Ohio in March 1991.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield
Saudi Arabia · United Arab Emirates · Spain · Southwest Asia
After Iraq invaded Kuwait, the group deployed volunteer aircraft, aircrews, and support personnel to provisional tanker formations and regional support locations.
Outcome. The group supported the air bridge that moved combat forces and equipment into Southwest Asia.
- 1967Operation Creek Party
Europe · United States
The group rotated aircraft and aircrews through Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, providing aerial-refueling support for United States Air Forces in Europe tactical aircraft.
Outcome. The unit completed 426 transatlantic crossings and received two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards covering successive operating periods.
- 1964Operation Ready Go
Europe
The 160th participated in an all-Air National Guard nonstop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe, demonstrating the force's ability to move aircraft across the Atlantic.
Outcome. The operation contributed to the development of Air National Guard overseas deployment capability.
Brand decisions
1993
Headquarters elimination and unit inactivationStrategyBackground
Federal budget reductions and Ohio Air National Guard restructuring created pressure to remove duplicate refueling headquarters and support organizations at Rickenbacker.
Action taken
The 160th Air Refueling Group was inactivated and its 145th Air Refueling Squadron transferred to the 121st Air Refueling Wing.
Aftermath
The 121st became a larger Air National Guard refueling wing with two flying squadrons, while the 160th ceased to exist as an active group.
1984
KC-135A re-enginingGeneration changeBackground
The group's KC-135A aircraft needed improved efficiency, performance, reliability, and safety.
Action taken
The aircraft were re-engined and redesignated KC-135E.
Aftermath
The upgraded aircraft remained capable of supporting strategic and expeditionary refueling duties.
1975
Transition from KC-97 to KC-135Generation changeBackground
The group required a modern jet tanker platform for strategic alert, overseas task forces, and global refueling missions.
Action taken
It converted from KC-97 aircraft to Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers, becoming the first Air National Guard unit to make the transition.
Aftermath
The conversion enabled the group to assume SAC alert responsibilities and undertake expanded worldwide tanker operations.
Recent events
- 1993
160th Air Refueling Group inactivated[1]
Other
The group was inactivated as part of budget reductions and an Ohio Air National Guard reorganization. Its 145th Air Refueling Squadron transferred to the 121st Air Refueling Wing.
- 1991
160th flies Operation Desert Storm combat missions[1]
Other
The group began combat-refueling missions on 17 January 1991 and returned to Ohio in March after supporting coalition operations in Southwest Asia.
- 1990
160th deploys for Operation Desert Shield[1]
Other
Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, group aircraft, crews, and support personnel deployed to provisional tanker formations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and other locations.
- 1976
160th performs SAC alert and readiness missions[1]
Other
The group became the first Air National Guard unit to perform the SAC 24-hour alert mission and pass a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection.
- 1975
Group converts to KC-135 Stratotankers[1]
Product generation · Other
The 160th became the first Air National Guard unit to transition to the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and later undertook SAC alert and worldwide tanker assignments.
- 1967
160th joins Operation Creek Party[1]
Other
The group began rotational transatlantic tanker operations from Rhein-Main Air Base, supporting United States Air Forces in Europe tactical aircraft until 1975.
- 1964
160th participates in Operation Ready Go[1]
Other
The group took part in an early all-Air National Guard nonstop deployment of fighter aircraft to Europe.
- 1961
160th Air Refueling Group federally recognized in Ohio[1]
Other
The Ohio Air National Guard converted the 145th Aeromedical Evacuation Transport Squadron into the 145th Air Refueling Squadron and established the 160th Air Refueling Group to direct flying and support operations.
Sources1 sources
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