465th Air Refueling Squadron

Overview

The squadron operates Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions. It is one of three flying organizations in the 507th Air Refueling Wing, incorporating pilots and traditional operations functions.

As civilians, many of the pilots assigned to the refueling squadron are employed by commercial airlines. As reservists, they are required to fly the same type sorties as their active-duty counterparts to remain proficient and combat ready.

World War II

Formed in late 1944 and trained under II Fighter Command in the midwest and Texas. Was equipped with the very long range P-47N Thunderbolt with a mission to escort B-29 Superfortresses from their bases in the Marianas to Japan.

Following months of delays, the squadron arrived in the Pacific Theater, being assigned to Ie Shima in the Ryukyu Islands on 28 June 1945 from Saipan/Tinian. During forty-six days of combat, the squadron flew forty-six missions. With the end of the war, the squadron was reassigned to Yontan Air Base, Okinawa in January 1946 conducting occupation duty. It was inactivated on 24 May 1946.

Air Defense Command

Activated 18 February 1953 by Air Defense Command at McChord AFB, Washington, equipped with F-86D Sabre Interceptors with an air defense mission. Inactivated 18 Aug 1955 IAW Project Arrow when parent 527th ADG inactivated and replaced 325th Fighter Group (Air Defense).

Reactivated 8 Oct 1955 at Griffiss AFB, New York and assigned to 32d Air Division with F-89D Scorpions; converted to F-89H/J Scorpions in the fall of 1956; transferred to 4727th Air Defense Group in February 1957; moved to Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts and transferred to Boston Air Defense Sector in August 1959, acquiring F-86L Sabre Interceptors in a swap with the 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron; inactivated 15 Mar 1960 as the Sabre was being phased out in favor of supersonic interceptors.

Air Force Reserve

It trained for fighter missions between 1972 and 1994 and has flown worldwide air refueling missions since 1994.

Lineage

Constituted as the 465th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 5 October 1944

Activated on 12 October 1944 Inactivated on 24 May 1946

Redesignated 465th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 3 February 1953

Activated on 18 February 1953 Inactivated on 18 August 1955

Activated on 8 October 1955

Discontinued on 15 March 1960

Redesignated 465th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 4 May 1972

Activated in the reserve on 20 May 1972 Redesignated 465th Fighter Squadron on 1 February 1992 Redesignated 465th Air Refueling Squadron on 1 April 1994

Assignments

507th Fighter Group, 12 October 1944 – 24 May 1946

567th Air Defense Group, 18 February 1953 – 18 August 1955

4711th Air Defense Wing, 8 October 1955

32d Air Division, 1 March 1956

4727th Air Defense Group, 8 February 1957

Boston Air Defense Sector, 1 July 1959 – 15 March 1960

507th Fighter Group, 20 May 1972

301st Tactical Fighter Wing, 25 March 1973

507th Tactical Fighter Group (later 507 Fighter Group), 17 October 1975

507th Operations Group, 1 August 1992 – present

Stations

Peterson Field, Colorado, 12 October 1944

Bruning Army Air Field, Nebraska, 20 October 1944

Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, 15 December 1944 – 30 April 1945

Ie Shima Airfield, Ryukyu Islands, 24 June 1945

Yontan Airfield, Okinawa, 29 January-24 May 1946

McChord Air Force Base, Washington, 18 February 1953 – 18 August 1955

Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, 8 October 1955

Laurence G. Hanscom Field, Massachusetts, 1 July 1959 – 15 March 1960

Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 20 May 1972 – present