18th Air Refueling Squadron
 | |
|---|---|
 931st Air Refueling Group KC-135 Stratotanker takes off from Eielson AFB during Exercise Red Flag Alaska[note 1] | |
| Active | 1940–1945; 1948–1949; 1952–1954; 1961–1967; 1969–1972; 1995–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Air Refueling |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | McConnell Air Force Base |
| Motto(s) | Can Do (1969–1972, c. 1995) |
| Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations China-Burma-India Theater[1] |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 18th Air Refueling Squadron emblem[1] |  |
| 18 Air Refueling Squadron emblem (early) | .png) |
| Patch with 18th Tactical Airlift Training Squadron emblem |  |
The 18th Air Refueling Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve squadron, assigned to the 931st Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. It operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions. If mobilized the squadron would be gained by Air Mobility Command.
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 18th Transport Squadron. After training in the United States, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where, as the 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, it participated in all major airborne assault operations and earned a Distinguished Unit Citation. From April until June 1944, it deployed to the China Burma India Theater to augment forces in Burma. Following V-E Day, the squadron served under Air Transport Command in the Caribbean returning American soldiers to the United States. The squadron was again briefly active in the Caribbean area during the later 1940s.
The squadron was active again from 1952, when it absorbed the resources of a reserve unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War. It was again active from 1961 until 1972, when it participated in military exercises, provided airlift, and trained aircrew for deployment to Southeast Asia.
Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).
- ^ a b c Endicott, Judy (4 January 2008). "Factsheet 18 Air Refueling Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2018.