In a corner of the bustling metropolitan international airport that is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the 161st Air Refueling Wing is busy providing a vital service to nearby air assets. As the only tanker outfit in the southwestern United States between Texas and California, the 161ARW is one of the busiest tanker units in the USAF.

Equipped with the aging Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, the unit recently upgraded from the KC-135E to the re-engined KC-135R. The "new" tankers allow greater mission flexibility for mission commanders, due to the R-model's greater fuel efficiency and performance. Essentially, a KC-135R can take off with more fuel and carry it longer and further than a KC-135E.

Since conversion from a fighter wing to a refueling wing took place in 1972, the 161st Air Refueling Wing has been active across the globe in real-world contingency operations. It's first missions took place over the western United States in the venerable KC-97 as the fighter-tanker conversion spun-up. Later, the unit deployed four times per year to Rhein-Main AB, Germany, refueling NATO and U.S. aircraft at the height of the Cold War. These deployments lasted two weeks each.

When Operation Desert Shield was launched, the 161st Air Refueling Wing was one of the first tanker units called up for active duty. They were deployed to the Gulf region immediately, and remained in-theatre throughout the course of Operation Desert Storm, operating from bases in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Moron AB, Spain. A similar deployment took place during the Bosnian crisis in the mid-'90s. Aircraft and personnel were deployed to Italy to provide tanker support to strike aircraft during Operation Deny Flight. Similarly, the wing deployed to Italy in 1999 to provide tanker support during Operation Allied Force.

While at home, 161ARW KC-135s frequently support aircraft from the southwestern United States. F-16s from the 56FW at Luke AFB in Phoenix often require support for their training program, as does the 355FW from Davis-Monthan AFB for its A-10 training missions.

As a sign of the Department of Defense's faith in the 161ARW, the 2005 BRAC committee decided to keep the doors of the unit open in the face of rather large, USAF-wide, defense cuts-- proof that the DoD recognizes the importance and effectiveness of the unit.

No matter what the future holds, the 161st Air Refueling Wing stands ready to deliver the fuel needed to take America's might across the globe.

NKAWTG!!!!!!!!!!

				A special note of thanks goes to LtCol Jill Nelson, the crew of Copper 6, and the entire 161st Air Refueling Wing. Everyone did whatever it took to ensure I got the photos I needed. Their professionalism and service to our country is greatly appreciated.

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