434th Air Refueling Wing
The 434th Air Refueling Wing is an Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Fourth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. The 434th Air Refueling Wing principal mission is air refueling. If mobilized, the Wing is gained by the Air Mobility Command. In July 1949, Continental Air Command (ConAC) reopened Atterbury Air Force Base, Indiana, a World War II field, as a training base for reserve flying units and activated the 434th Troop Carrier Wing there the wing initially flew the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but soon converted to Curtiss C-46 Commandos, and is now operating the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.
| 434th Air Refueling Wing | |
|---|---|
KC-135R Stratotankers of the 434th ARW | |
| Active | 1949–1953; 1953–1969; 1971–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Wing |
| Role | Aerial refueling |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Van T. Thai |
| Insignia | |
| 434th Air Refueling Wing emblem (Approved 5 June 1995) | |
| Patch with 434th Tactical Fighter Wing emblem (Approved 27 June 1975) | |
| 434th Troop Carrier Wing emblem (Approved 10 October 1952) | |
| Tail marking | Red band with "Grissom" in white |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Tanker | KC-135R Stratotanker |
Today, the 434th is one of the Air Force's busiest air refueling reorganizations, frequently deploying its personnel and aircraft around the world to support combat forces as part of the Global War on Terrorism. Most recently, the wing has been mobilized in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The wing has also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Noble Eagle.