909th Air Refueling Squadron
The 909th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions.
| 909th Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
A 909th Air Refueling Squadron Boeing KC-135R refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon in 2018 | |
| Active | 1942–1945; 1945–1946; 1963 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Air Refueling |
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Kadena Air Base, Okinawa |
| Motto(s) | Always There |
| Mascot(s) | Young Tigers |
| Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Travis Epp |
| Insignia | |
| 909th Air Refueling Squadron emblem | |
| KC-135 Tail Code | ZZ |
| 409th Bombardment Squadron emblem | |
| World War II Fuselage Code | YM |
| World War II Tail Marking | Circle B |
The squadron was first activated in 1942 as the 19th Reconnaissance Squadron, but was redesignated the 409th Bombardment Squadron shortly after activation. After briefly serving as an antisubmarine unit, it participated in combat in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of Operations, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions. After the surrender of Germany the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated.
The squadron was reactivated shortly after the end of World War II as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit, and became one of the first units of Strategic Air Command in 1946. It was inactivated later that year when its parent group was replaced by the 43d Bombardment Group.
The 909th Air Refueling Squadron was activated in 1963 at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. The squadron supported Strategic Air Command operations from activation and, starting in 1964, supported operations in Southeast Asia from Amarillo, March Air Force Base, California and Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. After the end of the Vietnam War, the squadron continued to support refueling and reconnaissance operations in the Pacific. In 1985 the 409th and 909th squadrons were consolidated into a single unit. The squadron also provided support for combat operations in Southwest Asia during the 1990s.