434th Air Refueling Wing

434th Air Refueling Wing
KC-135R Stratotankers of the 434th ARW
Active	1949–1953; 1953–1969; 1971–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Wing
Role	Aerial refueling
Part of	Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ	Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Van T. Thai
Insignia
434th Air Refueling Wing emblem (Approved 5 June 1995)[1]
Patch with 434th Tactical Fighter Wing emblem (Approved 27 June 1975)[1]
434th Troop Carrier Wing emblem (Approved 10 October 1952)[2]
Tail marking	Red band with "Grissom" in white
Aircraft flown
Tanker	KC-135R Stratotanker

The 434th Air Refueling Wing is an Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Fourth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. The 434th Air Refueling Wing principal mission is air refueling. If mobilized, the Wing is gained by the Air Mobility Command. In July 1949, Continental Air Command (ConAC) reopened Atterbury Air Force Base, Indiana, a World War II field, as a training base for reserve flying units and activated the 434th Troop Carrier Wing there the wing initially flew the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but soon converted to Curtiss C-46 Commandos, and is now operating the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.

Today, the 434th is one of the Air Force's busiest air refueling reorganizations, frequently deploying its personnel and aircraft around the world to support combat forces as part of the Global War on Terrorism. Most recently, the wing has been mobilized in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The wing has also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Noble Eagle.