9th Air Refueling Squadron
The 9th Air Refueling Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California, where it operates the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender as part of the 60th Operations Group.
| 9th Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
A Travis KC-10 Extender refuels Navy fighters during a deployment | |
| Active | 1942–1945; 1951–1965; 1969–1982; 1982–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Air refueling |
| Size | over 150 personnel |
| Part of | Air Mobility Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Travis Air Force Base |
| Motto(s) | Universal |
| Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater China-Burma-India Theater War in Kosovo |
| Decorations | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current Commander | Lieutenant Colonel Eli Persons |
| Current Operations Officer | Lt Col(sel) Barrett Meysembourg |
| First Sergeant | MSgt Angelica Asaeli |
| Current Squadron Superintendent | CMSgt Gerald James |
| Notable commanders | General Arthur J. Lichte General Paul Selva Lieutenant General Michelle D. Johnson |
| Insignia | |
| 9th Air Refueling Squadron emblem | |
| 9th Air Refueling Squadron emblem | |
| unofficial 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (World War II) | |
| unofficial 9th Photographic Squadron emblem (early World War II) | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Tanker | KC-10 Extender |
The squadron was first active during World War II as the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, serving in combat the China-Burma-India Theater from 1942 through 1945, primarily with Lockheed F-4 and F-5 Lightning reconnaissance aircraft.
The 9th Air Refueling Squadron was activated in 1951, and has operated the Boeing KB-29 Superfortress, Boeing KC-97, and Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, prior to its current air refueling equipment. It has been deployed worldwide, assisting in wartime, humanitarian, and peacekeeping efforts in often remote areas.