320th Air Refueling Squadron

320th Refueling Squadron
320th Air Refueling Squadron Boeing KC-97G Stratotanker 53–131 at Thule AB, Greenland, 1953.
Active1943–1945; 1952–1962
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAir Refueling
EngagementsEuropean theater of World War II
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
Patch showing 320th Refueling Squadron Emblem

The 320th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 22d Bombardment Wing at March AFB, California, where it was inactivated on 15 September 1962.

The squadron had its roots during World War II, when the 320th Transport Squadron (Cargo & Mail) was activated as an airlift support unit for VIII Air Force Service Command in England. The squadron moved to the continent in the fall of 1944 and became an element of the 302d Transport Wing, supporting combat and occupation forces until it was inactivated in the fall of 1945.

The 320th Air Refueling Squadron was activated in the fall of 1952 to replace the inactivating 106th Air Refueling Squadron at March AFB. It continued to provide refueling support throughout the Boeing B-47 Stratojet and the early Boeing B-52 Stratofortress era at March. It was inactivated when Strategic Air Command dispersed its B-52s to make it more difficult for the Soviet Union to knock out the entire fleet with a surprise first strike. This reduced the need for tankers at March to a single squadron, the 22d Air Refueling Squadron, and the 320th was inactivated.

The squadrons were consolidated in 1985, but have not been active since consolidation.