| 108th Air Refueling Wing | |
|---|---|
108th Air Refueling Wing emblem |
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| Active | 1952—present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Air Refueling |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Part of | Air National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | McGuire Air Force Base |
| Nickname | "Jersey Thunder" |
The 108th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) is a unit of the New Jersey Air National Guard tasked with aerial refueling and other air mobility missions. It is based at McGuire Air Force Base and operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC). The current Commander of the 108th is Brigadier General Michael L. Cunniff. The 108th Air Refueling Wing was originally established 24 May 1946 as a redesignation of the World War II 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), the most successful P-47 Thunderbolt group in the South West Pacific Theatre. Its commander, Colonel Neel Ernest Kearby was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat. Over a dozen of the group's pilots became Flying aces.
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The New Jersey Air National Guard's 108th Air Refueling Wing consists of four component units.
The wing operates a total of 8 KC-135R Stratotankers and Detachment 2 108th Air Refueling Wing flying a single C-135B transport version of the KC-135.
The wing is part of the North East Tanker task force.
The 348th Fighter Group was first activated on 30 September 1942 at Mitchel Field, New York and was equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt. The 348th was one of the first USAAF groups to be equipped with the P-47. The 348th Fighter Group was inactivated at Itami Airfield on 10 May 1946.
After a short period of inactivation, the unit was allocated to the New Jersey Air National Guard on 24 May 1946, being stationed at Trenton-Mercer Airport. It was redesignated as the 108th Fighter Group and assigned P-47D Thunderbolts. It was extended federal recognition on 16 October 1946. Its flying component was the redesignated 141st Fighter Squadron (formerly 341st).
The 108th FG was allocated to the new Strategic Air Command (SAC) if activated. For several years the group trained, and in 1948, was redesigneated as the 108th Strategic Fighter Wing, with the transfer of the group to the new United States Air Force.
As a result of the Korean War, the wing was federalized and brought into active service on 1 March 1951, It was assigned to the SAC 40th Air Division at Turner AFB, Georgia. In its activated configuration, the wing was composed of the 141st Fighter Squadron (New Jersey ANG), 149th Fighter Squadron (Virginia ANG) and the 153rd Fighter Squadron (Mississippi ANG). During its federal service period, the wing trained to conduct long range bombardment escort missions. On 9 December 1951, the wing was reassigned to Godman AFB, Kentucky. It was relieved from active service on 1 December 1952 and returned to the control of the New Jersey ANG, being assigned to McGuire AFB.
Shortly after its return to state control, the unit was transferred to Air Defense Command (ADC) and redesignated as the 108th Fighter-Interceptor Wing. In addition to the now redesignated 141st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, the wing added the 119th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Both squadrons were re-equipped with the long-range North American P-51H Mustang fighter and Designed for the invasion of Japan, the P-51H was the last variant of the famous P-51 Mustang of World War II, but was produced too late to see any wartime combat. Not used in Korea due to it not being believed as "rugged" as its famous "D" model predecessor, the P-51H was used instead to equip Air National Guard units into the 1950s as an ADC interceptor.
In 1955, the wing entered the jet age, with the arrival of the Republic F-84F Thunderjet, and then to F-84E Thunderjets in 1958. This was followed by the 119th FIS's move to Atlantic City Airport. On 1 July 1960, the wing was reassigned to Tactical Air Command (TAC) and redesignated the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing.
On 1 October 1961, as a result of the Berlin crisis, the 108th TFW was again ordered to active federal duty. When activated, the 108th consisted of three squadrons, the 119th TFS at Atlantic City Airport, the 141st TFS McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, and the 149th TFS from the Virginia ANG at Byrd Field, near Richmond, Virginia. All three squadrons were flying the F-84F Thunderstreak.
Once activated, the wing was deployed to Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France. However, only a portion of the 108th TFW deployed to France due to DOD budget limitations. This consisted of 28 F-84F's of the 141st TFS and officers and airmen from all three squadrons, with the remaining aircraft and personnel remaining on active duty at their home stations. The first elements of the 108th deployed to Chaumont from McGuire AFB on 16 October with the last aircraft and personnel arriving on 6 November. The ground units deployed by sealift, with the deployed elements reaching Chaumont by 17 November.
In France, the deployed elements of the 108th TFW were designated the 7108th Tactical Wing on 20 November due to the reduced strength of the wing in Europe. The primary mission of the 7108th was to provide close air support to the Seventh Army in Europe under the direction of Ground Forward Air Controllers. To accomplish this mission, up to 30 sorties were flown each day. Pilots and aircraft were rotated back and forth from Atlantic City and Richmond in order for all pilots in the wing to become familiar with flying conditions at Chaumont and to teach USAFE operational procedures.
The deployment to France ended in October 1962 and the wing returned to New Jersey state control. The 119th TFS expanded to group size with the activation of the 177th Tactical Fighter Group. Immediately following this action, their F-84Fs were replaced by North American F-86H Sabres. The 141st TFS, having left their F-84F's in France, were re-equipped with F-86H's upon their return.
In April 1964, the 108th traded their Sabrejets in for the F-105B "Thunderchief". the 108th was the first Air National Guard unit to fly twice the speed of sound. In May 1981, the F-4D Phantom II replaced the F-105s, and in 1985, they were upgraded to the F-4E Phantom II.
In 1989, the 108th was declared the best Air National Guard flying unit and awarded the coveted Spatz Trophy. It participated in numerous exercises and made six overseas deployments as a fighter unit, to France, Greece, Ecuador and three times to Norway.
The 108th Air Refueling Wing is relatively new, only dating back to 27 September 1991, when the unit was re-designated. The 108th received its first KC-135E Stratotanker on 27 September. Yet, a scant 69 days later, on 6 December, it flew its first refueling mission. Forty one days later, on 16 January 1992, it flew its first operational mission – a night, air refueling of an E-3B "Sentry" bound for the Persian Gulf.
1992 was a busy year for the 108th. They flew their first passenger airlift mission on 27 February; its first overseas mission (Costa Rica) on 13 March; its first European mission, Germany 28 May, (South Korea) on 20 July, and its first humanitarian mission on 1 September, (three Stratotankers filled with critically needed supplies to "Hurricane Andrew" (Florida) victims). In 1992, the Air Force also disestablished Strategic Air Command (SAC) and Military Airlift Command (MAC), merging all USAF air refueling aircraft from the Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard aircraft previously under SAC control into a combination of US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and the newly created Air Mobility Command (AMC). As a result, AMC became the new gaining command for the 108 ARW.
The Wing was certified combat ready on 3 December 1992. The very next day it was tasked with two missions – its first operational deployment – nothing less than spearheading and establishing the U.S. – Somalia air bridge for OPERATION RESTORE HOPE. It not only deployed an air refueling detachment to Moron Air Base, Spain, but also airlifted active duty air crews to Cairo West Air Base, Egypt. In January 1993, while deployed at Moron AB, Spain, the Wing off loaded its one millionth pound of fuel.
On 1 October 1993, the 170th Air Refueling Group, NJANG, consolidated with the 108th Air Refueling Wing. The 170th Air Refueling Group, including the 150th Air Refueling Squadron was established at Newark Airport, NJ, on 1 February 1956 and transferred to McGuire AFB in July 1965. The 108th welcomed the 150th Air Refueling Squadron's 37 years experience in airlift and air refueling operations, and its 130,454 accident-free flying hours, recognized as the worlds safest flying record.
During the Vietnam War, the 150th, then equipped with the C-121 "Constellation" flew many airlift missions from the U.S. to Southeast Asia. It was the first air refueling unit in the Nation to launch tankers to establish the now famous U.S. Saudi Arabia "Air Bridge" during OPERATION DESERT Shield-DESERT STORM. Literally hours after President Bush ordered U.S. forces to the Persian Gulf, the 150th aircrews were refueling fighters and cargo transports winging their way nonstop from the U.S. to the Persian Gulf. Shortly thereafter, and again, prior to certain units personnel being activated, the 150th deployed aircraft, aircrews, maintenance and support personnel to Saudi Arabia. It also provided urgently needed medical, security police and support personnel to U.S. air bases to assist active duty personnel and serve as "back-fill" for those already rushed to the combat theater.
In September 1994, for over 30 days, five aircraft and 300 members deployed to Pisa, Italy for DENY FLIGHT. The 108th replaced the 126 ARW of the Illinois Air National Guard. Supported by 15 active duty Air Force personnel, the 108th ARW was the first Air National Guard unit to take full responsibility during that period.
May through August 1995, 13 members of the 108th and 170th Clinic deployed to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba for a humanitarian mission, Operation Sea Signal.
In 2007, the 108 ARW began retiring its KC-135E aircraft and transitioning to the KC-135R.[1]
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Major Commands
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Aircraft operated
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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