| 171st Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
 KC-135T Stratotanker 60-0346 171st Air Refueling Squadron | |
| Active | 10 February 1943–Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  United States Michigan |
| Branch |  United States Air Force Air National Guard |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Aerial refueling |
| Part of | Michigan Air National Guard 127th Air Refueling Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mount Clemens, Michigan |
| Nickname | "Michigan Six Pack" |
| Tail Flash | Black tail stripe "Michigan" in Yellow |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
| Insignia | |
| 171st Airlift Squadron emblem |  |
The171st Air Refueling Squadron (171 ARS) is a unit of theMichigan Air National Guard's127th Wing (127 WG) located atSelfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. The 171st is equipped with theKC-135T Stratotanker.
Established in early 1943 as aP-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron, the374th Fighter Squadron trained underI Fighter Command in the mid-Atlantic states. Also flew air-defense missions as part of thePhiladelphia Fighter Wing. Deployed to theEuropean Theater of Operations (ETO) as part of the361st Fighter Group, being assigned toVIII Fighter Command inEngland, November 1943.
The unit served primarily as an escort organization, covering the penetration, attack, and withdrawal of B-17/B-24 bomber formations that the USAAF sent against targets on the Continent. The squadron also engaged in counter-air patrols, fighter sweeps, and strafing and dive-bombing missions. Attacked such targets as airdromes, marshalling yards, missile sites, industrial areas, ordnance depots, oil refineries, trains, and highways. During its operations, the unit participated in the assault against theLuftwaffe and aircraft industry during theBig Week, 20–25 February 1944, and the attack on transportation facilities prior to theNormandy invasion and support of the invasion forces thereafter, including theSaint-Lô breakthrough in July.
The squadron supported the airborne attack on theNetherlands in September 1944 and deployed to Chievres Airdrome, (ALG A-84), Belgium between February and April 1945 flying tactical ground support missions during the airborne assault across the Rhine. The unit returned to Little Walden and flew its last combat mission on 20 April 1945. Demobilized during the summer of 1945 in England, inactivated in the United States as a paper unit in October.
The wartime 374th Fighter Squadron was re-designated as the171st Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to theMichigan Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized atWayne County Airport, Michigan, and was extended federal recognition on 25 April 1948. The 171st Fighter Squadron was entitled to the history, honors, and colors of the 374th. The squadron was equipped withF-47D Thunderbolts and was assigned to the Michigan ANG127th Fighter Group.
The unit was ordered into active service on 1 February 1951, as a result of theKorean War and assigned toAir Training Command. In March 1951 being assigned F-51 Mustangs, F-80 Shooting Stars and F-84 Thunderjets while serving as a training organization.
The unit was relieved from active duty in November 1952, was redesignated as a Fighter-Bomber squadron. Mission aircraft were F-51H, F-86E and F-89C. Redesignated at Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in 1958. The squadron flew RF-84F's. Moving toSelfridge Air National Guard Base in 1971 and upgrading to the newerRF-101 Voodoo.
Became an Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM) Fighter-Interceptor squadron in 1972, equipped withF-106 Delta Dart interceptors. Performed air defense duties of theGreat Lakes andDetroit area until 1978 when ADCOM was merged into Tactical Air Command. Continued air defense mission forADTAC component of TAC withF-4 Phantom IIs, transferring toFirst Air Force when ADTAC was replaced in 1985. Upgraded toF-16A Fighting Falcons in 1990.
Realigned into an airlift squadron in 1993, equipped withC-130 Hercules Tactical Airlifters. Flew the C-130 until September 2007 when it was realigned as an Air Refueling Squadron, being equipped with the KC-135T Stratotanker.
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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