137th Special Operations Wing

137th Special Operations Wing
137th Special Operations Wing MC-12W 09-623 in flight
Active1950–1952; 1952–Present
Country United States
Allegiance Oklahoma
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeWing
RoleSpecial Operations
Part ofOklahoma Air National Guard
KOKCWill Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma.
Nickname(s)Sooners
Motto(s)Tonitrus e Caelo, (then) Thunder from the Sky[1]
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Maj Gen Stanley F.H. Newman
Insignia
137th Special Operations Wing emblem
137th Fighter-Bomber Wing emblem (Approved 6 June 1952)[2]
Tail MarkingBlue tail stripe "Oklahoma City" in black
Aircraft flown
FighterP/F-51, F-80, F-84, F-86
ReconnaissanceMC-12
TransportC-97, C-124, C-130
TankerKC-135

The 137th Special Operations Wing is a unit of the Oklahoma Air National Guard located at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by Air Force Special Operations Command. During World War II, its predecessor, the 404th Fighter Group, flying Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, provided close air support to troops following the Operation Overlord, the Normandy landing until the close of the war. The wing is entitled to the honors won by the group by temporary bestowal.

The wing was activated during the Korean War and deployed to France. The unit later engaged in strategic and tactical airlift, and air refueling before being redesignated as a special operations wing.

  1. ^ Motto originally in Latin, later in English
  2. ^ Maurer, pp. 289–290.