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54th Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
 54th Air Refueling SquadronKC-135 and instructor pilot | |
| Active | 1942–1949; 1949–1965; 1972–1997; 1998–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Aerial refueling training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Altus Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Eager Beavers (1956–1965)[1]Jesters[citation needed] |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| 54th Air Refueling Squadron emblem[a][2] |  |
| 54th Flying Training Squadron emblem[b][3] |  |
| 54th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem[c][1] |  |
The54th Air Refueling Squadron is aUnited States Air Force unit that is part of the97th Air Mobility Wing atAltus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates theBoeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conductingair refueling training.
The 54th Transport Squadron was activated atHamilton Field, California, but moved toBowman Field, Kentucky, in June 1942, as the 54th Troop Carrier Squadron. Successive reassignments were toFlorence Army Air Field, South Carolina, in August 1942, and toElmendorf Field, Alaska, until inactivation on 5 March 1949. While there the 54th deployed toRhein-Main Air Base, Germany, to support theBerlin Airlift.[3]
That inactivation lasted only six months and on 20 September 1949, the unit was activated again at Elmendorf and again moved toDonaldson Air Force Base, South Carolina, in July 1956, remaining in service until 25 June 1965.[3]
On 14 April 1972, the 54th received a new mission and name. It became the 54th Flying Training Squadron, and was stationed atReese Air Force Base, Texas, with an official activation date of 1 October. Here personnel trained new pilots in theNorthrop T-38 Talon until the 54th was once again inactivated in April 1997.[3]
The 54th Air Refueling Squadron was reactivated at its current home ofAltus Air Force Base, Oklahoma on 16 January 1998.[3] The 54th Air Refueling Squadron the onlyBoeing KC-135R Stratotanker flying training squadron inAir Education and Training Command. The squadron provides KC-135R initial and advanced flight qualification. The squadron's mission continues to encompass the training of allactive duty,Air National Guard,Air Force Reserve and international KC-135 crewmembers. Over 70 instructors train 450 pilot and boom operator students annually for theDepartment of Defense and international customers.[4]
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Awards. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 July 1957 – 10 December 1962; 1 January 1973 – 31 December 1974; 30 April 1981 – 29 April 1983; 1 April 1984 – 31 March 1986; 1 April 1988 – 31 March 1990; 1 October 1995–[1 April] 1997; [16 January] 1998-30 June 1998; 1 July 1998 – 30 June 1999; 1 July 1999 – 30 June 2000; 1 July 2000 – 30 June 2002; 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2004; 1 July 2004 – 30 June 2006; 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2007; 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008; 1 July 2008–30 June 2009[3]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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