Description
Computer made 3.0 inch-77mm
459th AIR REFUELING WING (AFRC)
Lineage. Established as 459 Troop Carrier Wing, Medium on 30 Dec 1954. Activated in the Reserve on 26 Jan 1955. Redesignated as: 459 Military Airlift Wing on 1 Jul 1966; 459 Tactical Airlift Wing on 29 Jun 1971; 459 Military Airlift Wing on 1 Jul 1986; 459 Airlift Wing on 1 Feb 1992; 459 Air Refueling Wing on 1 Oct 2003.
Assignments. First Air Force, 26 Jan 1955; Fourteenth Air Force, 25 Mar 1958; Second Air Force Reserve Region, 15 Aug 1960; First Air Force Reserve Region, 24 Jun 1966; Eastern Air Force Reserve Region, 31 Dec 1969; Fourteenth Air Force, 8 Oct 1976; Twenty-Second Air Force, 1 Jul 1993; Fourth Air Force, 1 Apr 2003-.
Operational Components. Groups. 459 Troop Carrier (later, 459 Operations): 26 Jan 1955-14 Apr 1959; 1 Aug 1992-. 904 Troop Carrier (later, 904 Military Airlift): 1 Jul 1966-26 Jan 1968; 2 Jun-31 Dec 1969. 905 Military Airlift (later, 905 Tactical Airlift): 25 Feb 1972-1 Apr 1974. 907 Tactical Airlift (later, 907 Airlift): 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1994. 909 Troop Carrier (later, 909 Military Airlift): 17 Jan 1963-1 Sep 1975. 910 Troop Carrier (later, 910 Tactical Fighter; 910 Tactical Airlift): 17 Jan 1963-1 Jul 1966; 1 Apr 1981-1 Oct 1989. 911 Troop Carrier (later, 911 Military Airlift): 17 Jan 1963-21 Apr 1971 (detached 1-21 Apr 1971). 913 Tactical Airlift (later, 913 Airlift): 8 Jan 1976-1 Aug 1992. 915 Military Airlift: 26 Jan 1968-1 Sep 1969. 918 Military Airlift: attached 1-20 Apr 1971, assigned 21 Apr 1971-1 Jul 1972. 919 Military Airlift (later, 919 Tactical Airlift): 30 Jul 1971-1 Dec 1974. 920 Tactical Airlift: 25 Apr 1973-1 Jan 1976. 927 Tactical Airlift: 15 Mar 1976-1 Jul 1981. Squadrons. 756 Troop Carrier (later, 756 Tactical Airlift; 756 Military Airlift; 756 Airlift): 14 Apr 1959-17 Jan 1963; 1 Sep 1975-1 Aug 1992. 757 Troop Carrier: 14 Apr 1959-17 Jan 1963. 758 Troop Carrier: 14 Apr 1959-17 Jan 1963.
Stations. Andrews AFB (later, Joint Base Andrews), MD, 26 Jan 1955-.
Aircraft. C-45, 1955-1958; C-46, 1955-1957; C-119, 1957-1967; C-124, 1966-1972; RC-130, 1971-1973; C-130, 1971-1986; C-7, 1972; C-141, 1986-2003; KC-135, 2003-.
Operations. Trained in the Reserve for troop carrier and airlift operations. Supported airlift requirements of the Tactical Air Command, 1955 to Jul 1966 and from Jun 1971 to Dec 1974, and of Military Airlift Command from Jul 1966 to Jun 1971 and again from Dec 1974 to June 1992. In late 1977 began to rotate elements to Panama to fly airlift missions in support of Southern Command. Participated in contingency operations in Grenada (1983), as well as numerous humanitarian airlift missions worldwide. The wing also provided aeromedical evacuation service and air transportation for deployment of other units. Supported Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM with intertheater airlift, Oct 2001-Sep 2003. Participated in Air Expeditionary Force air refueling support of IRAQI FREEDOM in 2005. Provided air refueling for US military and selected allied nations’ aircraft, 2003-.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. Grenada, 1983.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Apr 1971-31 Mar 1973; 1 Nov 1978-31 Oct 1980; 1 Jan 1982-31 Dec 1983; 1 Jan 1984-31 Dec 1985; 1 Oct 1993-30 Sep 1995; 1 May 2002-30 Apr 2004; 1 Jan 2005-31 Dec 2006. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr 1966-29 Jun 1971.
Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display honors earned by the 459 Bombardment Group prior to 26 Jan 1955. Service Streamers. None. Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Decoration. Distinguished Unit Citation: Bad Voslau, Austria, 23 Apr 1944.
Emblem. Approved on 24 Jun 1996.