Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 3.5 inch
126th AIR REFUELING WING (AMC)
Lineage. Constituted as 344th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 31 Aug 1942. Activated on 8 Sep 1942. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946. Redesignated: 126th Bombardment Group (Light) and allotted to Illinois ANG on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 29 Jun 1947. Redesignated: 126th Composite Wing on 31 Oct 1950. Organized and received federal recognition, 1 Nov 1950, assuming personnel and equipment of 66th Fighter Wing (Inactivated). 126th Bombardment Wing (Light) in Feb 1951. 126th Fighter-Bomber Wing on 1 Jan 1953; 126th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, 1 Jul 1955; 126th Air Refueling Wing on 1 Jul 1961-.
Assignments. III Air Support Command, 8 Sep 1942-26 Jan 1944; 99th Bombardment Wing, 9 Feb 1944; (Attached to: XII Fighter Command, 15 Sep 1945-15 Feb 1946); 66th Fighter Wing, 29 Jun 1947; Illinois ANG, 31 Oct 1950-.
Components. Groups, 126th Composite (later Bombardment, Fighter-Bomber, Fighter-Interceptor, Air Refueling) Group, 1 Nov 1951-30 Jun 1974. 126th Operations, 1 Oct 1995-.
Squadrons. 494th Bombardment, 8 Sep 1942-31 Mar 1946; 495th Bombardment, 8 Sep 1942-31 Mar 1946; 496th Bombardment, 8 Sep 1942-31 Mar 1946; 497th Bombardment, 8 Sep 1942-30 Dec 1945. 108th Bombardment (later Fighter-Bomber, later Fighter-Interceptor, later Air Refueling), 19 Oct 1947-. 168th Bombardment (later Fighter Bomber, later Fighter-Interceptor), 19 Oct 1947-31 May 1958. 169th Fighter (later Fighter-Interceptor, Fighter-Bomber, Tactical Fighter, Air Refueling), 29 Jun 1947-1 Oct 1961; 31 Aug-15 Oct 1962.
Stations. Chicago Municipal Airport, IL, 1 Jul 1927-8 Feb 1941; Howard Field, Panama, 8 Feb 1941-1 Nov 1943; MacDill Field, FL, 8 Sep 1942; Drane Field, FL 28 Dec 1942; Hunter Field, GA, 19 Dec 1943-26 Jan 1944; RAF Stansted, England, Feb 1944; Cormeilles en Vexin Airfield, France, 30 Sep 1944; Florennes/Juzaine Airfield, Belgium, 5 Apr 1945; Schleissheim Palace, Germany, 15 Sep 1945-15 Feb 1946. Chicago Midway Airport, IL, 19 Jan 1947; Chicago Municipal Airport (Later O’Hare IAP) IL, 1 Jan 1953; Scott AFB, IL, 31 Jul 1999-. (operated from: Langley AFB, VA, 1 Jul 1951; Bordeaux-Merignac AB, France 1 Nov 1951-25 May 1952; Laon-Couvron AB, France, 25 May 1952-31 Dec 1952)
Aircraft. B-26, 1942-1945; A-26, 1945. F-51, 1953-1955; F-84, 1955-1957; F-86, 1957-1958; KC-97, 1961-1976; KC-135, 1976-.
Operations. Replacement training unit for B-26, 1942-1944. Provide air refueling support to major commands of the USAF, as well as the military forces of allied nations. Also, the unit can support airlift missions and is tasked with supporting the nuclear strike missions of the Single Integrated Operational Plan.
Called to active duty as part of the Korean War Call-up, 1 Apr 1951-1 Jan 1953.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. ETO.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation, Jul 1944.
Emblem. Approved on 9 Jan 1943; modified version 24 Nov 1953.