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==History==
==History==
===World War II===
During World War II the unit was assigned to [[Ninth Air Force]] in England, flying its first combat mission on 1 May 1944. The group was one of the most decorated units of IX Fighter Command, being awarded both a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] as well as the French [[Croix de guerre|Croix de guerre with Palm]]. It flew its last combat mission in May 1945.

Trained with P-39, P-47, and other aircraft. Moved to England, March— April 1944. Assigned to [[Ninth Air Force]]'s 84th Fighter Wing, IX Tactical Air Command. It flew the [[P-47|Republic P-47 Thunderbolt]].

The group began operations by bombing and strafing targets in France. The squadrons provided top cover for [[Operation Overlord|landings in Normandy]] on 6 and 7 June 1944. On 6 July the 404th moved across the Channel to its [[Advanced Landing Ground]] at Chippelle (ALG A-5), France.

On the continent, the 404th operated in close support of ground troops until the end of the war, supporting the Allied breakthrough at [[Saint-Lô]] in July 1944, [[Operation Market-Garden|the drive through Holland]] in September 1944, Allied operations during the [[Battle of the Bulge]] (December 1944 – January 1945), and the establishment of the [[Operation Lumberjack|Remagen bridgehead]] and the subsequent crossing of the [[Rhine]] in March 1945.

The group also flew interdictory and escort missions, strafing and bombing such targets as troop concentrations, railroads, highways, bridges, ammunition and fuel dumps, armored vehicles, docks, and tunnels, and covering the operations of [[B-17 Flying Fortress|B-17s]], [[B-24]]s, and [[B-26 Marauder|B-26]]s that bombed factories, airdromes, marshaling yards, and other targets.

Reassigned back to United States and assigned to [[Third Air Force]], being programmed for deployment to [[Okinawa]] to take part in planned [[Operation Downfall|Invasion of Japan]]. Training plans discontinued after [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] and the sudden end of the [[Pacific War]]. Most personnel either separated or reassigned to other units, with a skeleton staff arriving at [[Drew Field]], Florida on 1 September. Unit inactivated on 9 November 1945.

===Oklahoma Air National Guard===


===Lineage===
===Lineage===

Revision as of 11:26, 31 October 2012

137th Air Refueling Wing
137th Air Refueling Wing emblem
Active1943-Present
CountryUnited States
BranchAir National Guard
TypeWing
RoleAir Refueling
Part ofOklahoma Air National Guard
Garrison/HQTinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
137th Air Refueling Wing Boeing KC-135R 58-0121

The 137th Air Refueling Wing (137 ARW) is a unit of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

Overview

The 137th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 Stratotanker mission is to provide the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and the Air Guard. This unique aircraft enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

The wing is associated with the Air Force Reserve Command's (AFRC) 507th Air Refueling Wing (507 ARW). Under this Air Force Reserve Command - Air National Guard Guard associate organization, the 507 ARW is the host wing with all 12 KC-135 aircraft owned by AFRC. The Oklahoma Air National Guard maintains separate administrative and operational control, but is associated with the 507 ARW, working together to fly and maintain all aircraft. For deployable tasking, both the 507 ARW and 137 AW will function with six primary aircraft assigned.

Units

The 137th Air Refueling Wing consists of the following units:

  • 137th Operations Group
185th Air Refueling Squadron
  • 137th Maintenance Group
  • 137th Mission Support Group
  • 137th Medical Group

History

World War II

During World War II the unit was assigned to Ninth Air Force in England, flying its first combat mission on 1 May 1944. The group was one of the most decorated units of IX Fighter Command, being awarded both a Distinguished Unit Citation as well as the French Croix de guerre with Palm. It flew its last combat mission in May 1945.

Trained with P-39, P-47, and other aircraft. Moved to England, March— April 1944. Assigned to Ninth Air Force's 84th Fighter Wing, IX Tactical Air Command. It flew the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

The group began operations by bombing and strafing targets in France. The squadrons provided top cover for landings in Normandy on 6 and 7 June 1944. On 6 July the 404th moved across the Channel to its Advanced Landing Ground at Chippelle (ALG A-5), France.

On the continent, the 404th operated in close support of ground troops until the end of the war, supporting the Allied breakthrough at Saint-Lô in July 1944, the drive through Holland in September 1944, Allied operations during the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 – January 1945), and the establishment of the Remagen bridgehead and the subsequent crossing of the Rhine in March 1945.

The group also flew interdictory and escort missions, strafing and bombing such targets as troop concentrations, railroads, highways, bridges, ammunition and fuel dumps, armored vehicles, docks, and tunnels, and covering the operations of B-17s, B-24s, and B-26s that bombed factories, airdromes, marshaling yards, and other targets.

Reassigned back to United States and assigned to Third Air Force, being programmed for deployment to Okinawa to take part in planned Invasion of Japan. Training plans discontinued after Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the sudden end of the Pacific War. Most personnel either separated or reassigned to other units, with a skeleton staff arriving at Drew Field, Florida on 1 September. Unit inactivated on 9 November 1945.

Oklahoma Air National Guard

Lineage

  • Constituted as 404th Bombardment Group (Dive) on 25 January 1943
Activated on 4 February 1943
Re-designated 404th Fighter-Bomber Group in August 1943
  • Inactivated on 9 November 1945.

Assignments

Attached to: IX Tactical Air Command, 1 August 1944

Components

Note* Third Air Force Operational Training Units (OTU) which were attached to the group in the United States; did not deploy to overseas combat area.

Stations

Aircraft

References

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

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