| 421st Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the 421st Air Refueling Squadron |
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| Active | 1953-1965 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Aerial Refueling |
The 421st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 41st Air Division, stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 15 January 1965.
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Activated as an advanced detachment of the 98th Bombardment Wing, which was being moved to Yokota Air Base, Japan from Spokane AFB, Washington. Mission of squadron was to provide dedicated in flight refueling, initially for F-100 Super Sabres and later for other in-flight refueling capable PACAF fighter and fighter bombers. Initially equipped with transferred Strategic Air Command KB-29M Stratofortrresses that were converted to aerial tankers using a British-developed hose refueling system.
Upgraded to KB-50 Superfortress tankers in 1958 which provided greater speed to refuel jet aircraft. KB-50s were modified about 1959 to KB-50J configuration which added a J-47 turbojet engine underneath each wing in place of the auxiliary fuel tanks to increase the speed of the aircraft.
Some aircraft and crews deployed to Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in 1961 to support USAF advisory tactical jet aircraft over South Vietnam that were running low on fuel while still over enemy territory. Some of these refuellings were carried out at such low altitudes that they came under enemy fire from the ground. By 1964 aircraft were phased out due to age and being replaced by SAC KC-97 and KC-135s; squadron inactivated in early 1965 when KB-50Js sent to AMARC at Davis-Monthan.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.