2nd Air Refueling Squadron

2nd Air Refueling Squadron
2nd Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 at RAF Fairford, England
Active1915–1918; 1919–1946; 1949–1963; 1989–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAir refueling
Part ofAir Mobility Command
Garrison/HQMcGuire Air Force Base
Motto(s)Second to None (1989-present)[1]
ColorsRed and Black
EngagementsWorld War II
Battle of the Philippines (1941–42)
Southwest Asia[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Col Josh Crockett
Notable
commanders
Dave Mott
Insignia
2nd Air Refueling Squadron emblem (approved 13 April 1995)[1]
2nd Air Refueling Squadron emblem (approved 7 March 1989)[2]
2nd Air Refueling Squadron emblem (approved 20 February 1952)[2]
2nd Observation Squadron (approved 21 May 1924)[3]

The 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, sometimes written as 2d Air Refueling Squadron, is a unit of the United States Air Force. It is part of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. The 2nd Air Refueling Squadron is the second-oldest squadron in the Air Force, having over 100 years of service to the nation. It was deployed to the Philippines after World War I, during the 1941-1942 Battle of the Philippines, it was wiped out, with the Japanese forcing some of the personnel to endure the Bataan Death March. It was re-formed as an air refueling squadron by Strategic Air Command in 1949. Today, it operates the KC-46 Pegasus aircraft, conducting aerial refueling missions.

  1. ^ a b c d Kane, Robert B. (4 November 2010). "Factsheet 2 Air Refueling Squadron (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b Endicott, p. 324
  3. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 15-16