99th Air Refueling Squadron

99th Air Refueling Squadron
117th Air Refueling Wing KC-135s on the Birmingham ANGB flightline
Active1942–1944; 1957–1973; 1983–2008; 2009–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAir Refueling
Part ofAir Mobility Command
Garrison/HQBirmingham Air National Guard Base
Nickname(s)Black Knights[1]
Ramrod (While Stationed at Westover 1957-1973)[citation needed]
EngagementsKosovo Southwest Asia[2]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[2]
Insignia
99th Air Refueling Squadron emblem[note 1][2] (restored)
99th Air Refueling Squadron emblem[note 2][3]
399th Bombardment Squadron emblem[note 3][4]

The 99th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, but is stationed at Birmingham Air National Guard Base, Alabama. It is an Active Associate Unit, an active duty component attached to the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing. The 99th Air Refueling Squadron works with, supports and flies the 117th Air Refueling Wing's Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft.

The first predecessor of the squadron was organized during World War II as the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron. Redesignated the 399th Bombardment Squadron, it served as a crew training unit until inactivated in May 1944.

The 99th Air Refueling Squadron was activated in July 1957 and served with Strategic Air Command (SAC) until 1973, and again from 1983. In 1985, it was consolidated with the 399th Bombardment Squadron. When SAC was inactivated in 1992, the squadron became an element of Air Mobility Command. The squadron was inactivated in 2008, but was reactivated as an associated unit the following year.

  1. ^ Nunez, Caleb (12 September 2018). "Meet the Black Knights: 99th Air Refueling Squadron". MacDill Air Force Base. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Robertson, Patsy (22 October 2009). "Factsheet 99 Air Refueling Squadron (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  3. ^ Approved insignia for: 99th Air Refueling Squadron (15 March 1984) National Archives
  4. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 489-490


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