92nd Air Refueling Squadron
The 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, officially 92d Air Refueling Squadron, is a squadron of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing's 92nd Operations Group, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It was first activated shortly before the entry of the United States into World War II as the 2nd Reconnaissance Squadron. After training in the Douglas B-18 Bolo in the southeastern United States, the squadron moved to the Pacific Coast after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in antisubmarine patrols with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. In April 1942, it was redesignated the 392nd Bombardment Squadron. Starting in mid-1942, it also began training crews on the Liberator. It ended these operations in July 1943 and began to prepare for overseas movement. After three months of training, the squadron moved to the Central Pacific, where it flew its first combat mission in November. The 392nd continued combat operations until March 1945, when it was withdrawn and moved to Hawaii, where it conducted routine training and patrol operations until it was inactivated in November 1945.
92nd Air Refueling Squadron | |
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Active | 1941–1945; 1957–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Air Refueling |
Part of | Air Mobility Command 18th Air Force 92nd Air Refueling Wing 92nd Operations Group |
Garrison/HQ | Fairchild Air Force Base |
Motto(s) | Latin: Dantibus Damus We Give So That You May Give |
Engagements | Pacific Theater of Operations |
Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
Insignia | |
92nd Air Refueling Squadron emblem (Approved 16 November 1994) | |
92nd Air Refueling Squadron emblem (Approved 6 April 1961) | |
392nd Bombardment Squadron emblem (Approved 19 January 1943) |
In July 1957, the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron was established at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas by assuming the resources of the inactivating 506th Air Refueling Squadron when Strategic Air Command transferred its fighter units to Tactical Air Command. Three months later, the squadron moved to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, where it equipped with Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers, which it has flown for over fifty years. During the Cold War, the squadron maintained half its aircraft on alert. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, all the squadron's tankers were either on alert, deployed, or supporting Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses on airborne alert. The squadron also deployed aircraft to the Pacific to refuel strike aircraft during the Vietnam War.
In 1985, the 392nd Bombardment Squadron was consolidated with the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron. In 1992, the squadron ended its long association with Strategic Air Command and became part of Air Mobility Command. Since consolidation, the squadron has deployed personnel and aircraft to support most major United States operations, including combat and humanitarian support operations. Although it has not participated as a unit, squadron personnel and aircraft have deployed worldwide to support these operations. The squadron operates the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting worldwide air refueling missions.