921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

{{Infobox military unit

|unit_name=921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

File:Air Mobility Command.svg

|image=911 Air Refueling Squadron Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker 58-0029.jpg

|image_size=300

|caption=KC-135A in SAC markings of the 1960s

|dates=1942–1946; 1947–1949; 1960; unknown −2011

|country={{USA}}

|branch={{air force|USA}}

|type=

|role=Air refueling

|size=

|command_structure=Air Mobility Command

|current_commander=

|garrison=

|nickname=

|motto=

|colors=

|march=

|mascot=

|battles=China Burma India Theater

|notable_commanders=

|anniversaries=

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|battle_honours=

|identification_symbol=175px

|identification_symbol_label=21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron emblem{{efn|Approved 19 April 1944. Description: Over and through a dark red disc, a demisphere in base light gray, marked with lines of latitude and longitude dark gray, encompassed by a pair of gold dividers, all surmounted by a peregrine falcon in flight, grasping a gold aerial camera in the talons.}}Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 111–112

|identification_symbol_2=

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}}

The 921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit. Its last known active period ended on 12 November 2011 at Moron Air Base, Spain.

The squadron was first activated in 1942 as the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in 1942 at Peterson Field, Colorado. It served in combat in the China Burma India Theater as part of the Fourteenth Air Force. After the war, the squadron served as the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron with the Air Force Reserve at Stewart Air Force Base, New York from 1947 until 1949, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped.

The 921st Air Refueling Squadron was activated in 1960 at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma to serve as an air refueling squadron for dispersed Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses. However, the decision to activate the squadron was reversed shortly thereafter and its personnel and equipment were returned to the squadron that had provided its cadre.

In September 1985, the 921st Air Refueling Squadron and the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron were consolidated into a single unit. The squadron was subsequently converted to provisional status and designated the 921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron.

History

=World War II=

File:28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron - F-5 Lightning.jpg

File:North American RF-6C-10-NT (6900638189).jpg

The squadron was first activated as the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in September 1942 at Peterson Field, Colorado, but apparently was not fully manned until December.{{cite web |url= http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/065/369.xml |title=Abstract, History 21 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Dec 1942 – Aug 1944|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=6 July 2014}} It trained there until April 1943, when the squadron was reassigned from the 5th Photographic Group and began its overseas movement. The squadron arrived in India in June and began deploying flights to China the following month. It served as an umbrella organization for Fourteenth Air Force reconnaissance operations in China. The squadron deployed detached flights of reconnaissance aircraft, (mostly specially equipped Lockheed F-5 Lightnings] and North American F-4 and F-6 Mustangs), which flew combat reconnaissance missions over Japanese-held territory from numerous forward airstrips. Squadron detachments flew missions over India, Burma, Thailand, French Indochina, Hainan Island, Formosa, Shanghai, China, the Philippines, Japan and Korea.{{cite web |url=http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/065/368.xml |title=Abstract, History 21 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Jul [sic] 1942 – May 1944|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=6 July 2014}} Flight A of the squadron also performed mapping missions over Thailand and Burma.{{cite web |url=http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/065/381.xml |title=Abstract, History 21 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Jan–Apr 1945|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=6 July 2014}} The squadron redeployed from China at the end of 1945 and was inactivated at Fort Lawton, Washington, at the beginning of 1946.

=Air Force reserve=

The squadron was redesignated the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron and reactivated as a reserve unit under Air Defense Command (ADC) on 1 October 1947 at Stewart Air Force Base, New York. In 1948 Continental Air Command (ConAC) assumed responsibility for managing reserve and Air National Guard units from ADC.{{cite web |url= http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/896/983.xml |title=Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command|date=27 December 1961|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=24 March 2014}} At Stewart, the squadron trained under ConAC's 2232d Air Force Reserve Training Center, but does not appear to have been fully equipped.See Maurer, pp. 111–112, listing no assigned aircraft for the period 1947–1949. President Truman’s reduced 1949 defense budget also required reductions in the number of units in the Air Force,Knaack, p. 25 and the 21st was inactivated in June 1949 and not replaced as reserve flying operations at Stewart ceased.

=Strategic Air Command=

The 921st Air Refueling Squadron was one of two air refueling squadrons activated in 1960 at Altus Air Force Base, OklahomaMueller, pp. 1–4 for movement to other bases to provide Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker support to dispersed Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers. Cadre and aircraft for the squadron was drawn from the 96th Air Refueling Squadron, which was inactivated{{cite web|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11953 |last1=Robertson |first1=Patsy |title=Factsheet 96 Air Refueling Squadron (AMC) |date=3 April 2014 |publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency |url-status=dead |access-date=17 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010703/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11953 |archive-date=13 May 2014 }} The decision to organize squadrons at Altus for movement elsewhere was reversed shortly after the 921st was organized, and the squadron was inactivated and its personnel and aircraft were returned to the 96th, which was reactivated.{{cite web |url= http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/466/878.xml |title=Abstract, History 816 Air Division|date=1 December 1960|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=22 June 2014}}

The 921st Air Refueling Squadron and the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron were consolidated in September 1985.Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 Sep 85, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons The consolidated squadron was redesignated the 921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron and converted to provisional status.USAF expeditionary units are, by definition, provisional in nature.{{cite web|url= http://www.military.com/air-force-birthday/history-of-us-air-force-organization.html |title=History of U.S. Air Force Organization|date=2014|publisher=Military.com|access-date=2 July 2014}}

=Expeditionary operations=

In 2011, the 921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron was deployed in support of Operation Unified Protector, serving at Moron Air Base, Spain, until November 2011. The squadron was NATO's largest tanker squadron composed of active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command KC-135 and KC-10 aircrews. The squadron executed over 1,000 combat missions to enforce the United Nations No Fly Zone over Libya.{{cite web |url=http://www.linkedin.com/pub/phil-heseltine/66/a99/604 |title=Phil Hesseltine, Student NATO Defense College|date=2014|publisher=LinkedIn|access-date=1 July 2014}}

The AMC wing at Moron was the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing and it appears that the 921 EARS served under this wing. James B. Dermer served as squadron commander for a period in 2011 at Moron,See {{cite web|url=http://www.bedfordcountychamber.com/images/BIOGRAPHY_Dermer_2013.pdf|title=Biography, Colonel James B. Dermer|date=23 March 2013|publisher=Bedford Chamber of Commerce|access-date=31 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714122303/http://www.bedfordcountychamber.com/images/BIOGRAPHY_Dermer_2013.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}} (Col. Dermer was squadron commander in 2011). who was then succeeded by Lt. Col. Phil Heseltine who was squadron commander from August to October 2011.

Lineage

21st Reconnaissance Squadron

Constituted as the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 14 July 1942

: Activated on 2 September 1942

: Redesignated 21st Photographic Squadron (Light) on 6 February 1943

: Redesignated 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 November 1943

: Inactivated on 6 January 1946

Redesignated the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic on 11 March 1947 and allotted to the reserve

: Activated on 1 October 1947

: Inactivated on 27 June 1949Lineage, station, and assignment information prior to 1949 from Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 111–112

Consolidated with the 921st Air Refueling Squadron as the 921st Air Refueling Squadron on 19 September 1985.

921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

Constituted as the 921st Air Refueling Squadron on 20 May 1960

: Activated on 1 October 1960

: Inactivated on 15 December 1960

Consolidated with the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron on 19 September 1985.
Redesignated 921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron on 12 June 2002Department of the Air Force/XPM Letter 303s, 12 June 2002, Subject: Air Mobility Command Expeditionary Units

: Activated by August 2011

: Inactivated on 12 November 2011Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Report, November 2011

=Assignments=

5th Photographic Group (later 5th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group), 2 September 1942
Fourteenth Air Force, June 1943 – 6 January 1946
74th Reconnaissance Group, 1 October 1947 – 27 June 1949
11th Bombardment Wing, 1 October 1960 – 15 December 1960Ravenstein, pp. 26–27
Air Mobility Command to activate or inactivate as needed, 12 June 2002

:: Unknown August 2011 – 12 November 2011

=Stations=

Army Air Base, Colorado Springs (later Peterson Field), Colorado, 2 September 1942 – 27 April 1943
Bishnupur Airfield, India, 27 June 1943

: Flights at Kunming Airport, China, 12 July 1943 – 22 August 1943 and Kweilin Airfield, China, 12 July 1943 – 12 September 1944)

Kunming Airport, China, 22 August 1943

: Flights at Suichwan Airfield, China, 26 October 1943 – 26 June 1944 and ca. 12 November 1944 – 22 January 1945, Liangshan Airfield, China, April 1944 – 18 October 1944, Kanchow Airfield, China, August 1944 – 20 November 1944, Liuchow Airfield, China,, 10 September 1944 – 6 November 1944, Hanchung Airfield, China, 18 October 1944 – 13 August 1945, Luliang Airfield, China, ca. 26 November 1944 – 13 May 1945, Hsian Airfield, China, 5 February 1945 – ca. 5 October 1945, Laifeng Airfield, China, 7 May 1945 – 16 August 1945, Shwangliu Airfield, China, 14 May 1945, Ankang Airfield, China, 25 June 1945 – ca. 5 October 1945, and Chihkiang Airfield, China, 16 August 2045 – ca. 15 October 1945

Hanchow Airfield, China, 18 October 1945 – ca. 15 December 1945
Fort Lawton, Washington, 5 – 6 January 1946
Stewart Air Force Base, New York, 1 October 1947 – 27 June 1949
Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 1 October 1960 – 15 December 1960
Moron Air Base, Spain, by August 2011 – 12 November 2011

=Aircraft=

North American F-4 (P-51 Mustang), 1943–1945
Lockheed F-5 (P-38 Lighting), 1943–1945
North American F-6 (P-51 Mustang), 1943–1945
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, 1943–1944
North American B-25 Mitchell, 1945
Boeing KC-135A Stratoranker, 1960

=Campaigns=

class="wikitable"
style="background:#efefef;" ! Campaign Streamer ! Campaign ! Dates ! Notes
200px	Central Pacific	27 June 1943 – 6 December 1943	21st Photographic Squadron (later 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron)
200px	India-Burma	27 June 1943 – 28 January 1945	21st Photographic Squadron (later 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron)
200px	China Defensive	27 June 1943 – 4 May 1945	21st Photographic Squadron (later 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron)
200px	New Guinea	27 June 1943 – 31 December 1944	21st Photographic Squadron (later 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron)
200px	Air Offensive, Japan	27 June 1943 – 2 September 1945	21st Photographic Squadron (later 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron)
200px	Western Pacific	17 April 1944 – 2 September 1945	21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
200px	Central Burma	29 January 1945 – 15 July 1945	21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
200px	China Offensive	5 May 1945 – 2 September 1945	21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron

References

=Notes=

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

=Bibliography=

{{cite book|last=Knaack|first=Marcelle Size|title=Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems|volume=2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945–1973|year= 1988 |publisher= Office of Air Force History|location= Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-59-5 }}
{{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180455/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= 20 December 2016|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
{{cite book|last=Mueller|first=Robert|title=Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982|url= https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330255/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-026.pdf |year=1989|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-53-6}}
{{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977|url=https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave|year=1984|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9|url-access=registration}}

External links

[https://archive.today/20130222122657/http://community-2.webtv.net/cbivet/doc1/ Tribute page to the 21st PRS]

Category:Air refueling squadrons of the United States Air Force