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37-584: McGhee Tyson ANGB is the home of the 134th Air Refueling Wing (134 ARW) of the Tennessee Air National Guard , an Air Mobility Command (AMC) gained unit which functions as the host wing for the installation. Other tenants of the base include the 119th Command and Control Squadron , the I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center , the Air National Guard Band of the South, and

74-611: A jet fighter in any one month to that date. Following the defusing of the Berlin crisis, the 151st was returned to Knoxville in August 1962 and reverted to Tennessee state control. In April 1964 the F-104s were transferred to active ADC squadrons, the 319th and 331st FIS at Homestead AFB , Florida as part of the 32d Air Division . With the transfer of the interceptors, the 134th was transferred from Air Defense Command to Tactical Air Command and

111-630: A mission of air defense over the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the strategic Alcoa aluminum manufacturing facilities in the area. The active-duty Air Force 469th FIS was inactivated on 8 January 1958, with the 151st taking over the ADC daytime readiness alert mission in October, a status that was estimated to take two years. The F-86Ds were replaced by supersonic F-104A Starfighter interceptors in 1960. The 151st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

148-622: Is a unit of the Tennessee Air National Guard , stationed at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base , Knoxville, Tennessee. If activated for federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . The 134th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 mission is to provide air refueling and airlift, as directed by the Secretary of Defense. It has been stationed at McGhee Tyson Airport since December 1957, though

185-659: The 1st Squadron, 230th Armored Cavalry Regiment's Army Aviation Support Facility of the Tennessee Army National Guard , operating several Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters . The announcement that the United States Air Force (USAF) would build an air base at McGhee-Tyson Airport was made on January 26, 1951. Fighter-interceptors based there would defend the Atomic Energy Commission facilities at nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory ,

222-550: The Air National Guard unit on 1 January 1952. With it were the 516th Air Base Squadron, 516th Materiel Squadron, and the 516th Infirmary. Between 1200 and 1400 airmen, with a then-$ 1.5 million annual payroll, were assigned to the base. The tactical unit of the 516 ADG was the 469th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (469 FIS), which initially inherited the World War II-vintage F-47s (formerly P-47 Thunderbolts ) of

259-431: The Air National Guard , later replacing them with F-86D Sabre jet fighters. In 1953, the 460th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron became a second F-86D squadron at the base. The 460th was reassigned to Portland Airport , Oregon , in 1955, while the 469th remained at TYS until 1957 when it was inactivated. The 516th Air Defense Group was redesignated as the 355th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 18 August 1955. The 354 FIS

296-505: The B-29 and B-50 bombers. Design work began in 1942, the first of three prototype XC-97s flew on 9 November 1944 and the first of six service-test YC-97s flew on 11 March 1947. All nine were based on the 24ST alloy structure and Wright R-3350 engines of the B-29, but with a larger-diameter fuselage upper lobe (making a figure of eight or "double-bubble" section) and they had the B-29 vertical tail with

333-840: The Berlin Airlift , the Korean War , and the Vietnam War . Some aircraft served as flying command posts for the Strategic Air Command , while others were modified for use in Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadrons (ARRS). The C-97 Stratofreighter was developed towards the end of World War II by fitting a second lobe on top of the fuselage and wings of the B-29 Superfortress with the tail, wing, and engine layout being nearly identical. The XC-97 and YC-97 can be distinguished from

370-456: The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser and later C-97s by the shorter fin, and later ones by the flying boom and jet engines on the tanker models. The prototype XC-97 was powered by the same 2,200  hp (1,600  kW ) Wright R-3350 engines as used in the B-29. The XC-97 took off for its first flight on November 9, 1944, just after the death of Boeing president Philip G. Johnson . On 9 January 1945,

407-493: The KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft in worldwide support of the U. S. Air Force. The unit provides aerial refueling to all types of U.S. Air Force bomber, fighter, airlift and support aircraft, plus many NATO aircraft, as well as other air mobility support as directed by AMC. In recent years they have been deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan in support of military operations associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and

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444-639: The Nigerian Civil War . Flying under the cover of darkness and at treetop level to evade radar, at least two C-97s were lost. Only one C-97 is still airworthy at the present day, (S/N 52-2718, named "Angel of Deliverance") operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation. It is painted as YC-97A 45–59595, the only C-97 to participate in the Berlin Airlift. The Israelis turned to Stratocruisers and KC-97s when they could not buy

481-481: The Strategic Air Command (SAC), later transitioning to the KC-135E in 1982. With the inactivation of SAC in 1992, the 134 ARG was briefly claimed by the newly established Air Combat Command (ACC) before having its operational claimancy shifted to the recently created Air Mobility Command (AMC) in 1993. In 1995, the 134 ARG was redesignated as the 134th Air Refueling Wing (134 ARW), its current designation, and in 2006

518-417: The U.S. Coast Guard , and partner nation armed forces. In addition, the studio and multimedia facilities support ANG video productions, senior leader conferences and general-to-career field specific training. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency 134th Air Refueling Wing The 134th Air Refueling Wing (134 ARW)

555-536: The War in Afghanistan . In addition to these operations, members of the 134th are commonly deployed to locations such as Egypt, Germany , South Korea and Curaçao. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter The Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter is a long-range heavy military cargo aircraft developed from

592-547: The 134 FIG transitioned to the F-104A Starfighter . In April 1964, the 134th would retire its F-104s and convert to an air refueling mission as the 134th Air Refueling Group (134 ARG) with KC-97G Stratofreighter aircraft, operationally gained by Tactical Air Command (TAC). With the retirement of its KC-97s in 1976, the 134 ARG would convert to the KC-135A Stratotanker that year and become operationally gained by

629-798: The 134th became operationally-gained by the newly established Air Mobility Command (AMC). 60 personnel and three planes from the Air National Guard's 134th Air Refueling Wing based in Knoxville were sent overseas to support the NATO's Operation "Allied Force" in Kosovo in April 1999. The 134th ARW transitioned to the KC-135E Stratotanker and following the recommendation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission action, transitioned to and currently operates

666-623: The ANG facility at the airport has been redesignated several times. Their radio callsign is "Soda". The 134th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 Stratotanker function is to provide aerial refueling for the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is capable of transporting casualties using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. The 134th Air Refueling Wing consists of

703-631: The Alcoa aluminum plant and the rest of the Tennessee Valley, including the vital Tennessee Valley Authority dams. Initial construction was estimated at $ 5.5 million. The military facilities built on the northwest side of the airfield have remained separate from the civilian airport. The base officially opened on August 9, 1952, as McGhee Tyson Air Force Base, but air defense alert operations began there much sooner. The federalized Tennessee Air National Guard Detachment 1, 105th Fighter Interceptor Squadron ,

740-577: The TEC, is a detachment of the Air National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Andrews , Maryland. The TEC conducts an average of 16 Enlisted Professional Military Education courses and 40 Professional Continuing Education sessions throughout the year. Typically, the TEC accommodates 4,000 service members on campus annually from the Regular and Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the U.S. Air Force,

777-590: The U.S. Air National Guard. One YC-97A (45–59595) was used in the Berlin Airlift during April 1949, operating for the 1st Strategic Support Squadron. It suffered a landing gear accident at Gatow and by the time it was repaired, the Soviet Blockade was lifted. C-97s evacuated casualties during the Korean War . C-97s also participated in the Biafran airlift , delivering relief materials to Uli airstrip in Biafra during

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814-714: The decade the 151st saw millions of pounds of jet fuel off-loaded and millions of miles flown, all accident free. In July 1976 the KC-97s were retired and the parent 134th was transferred to Strategic Air Command , receiving jet KC-135A Stratotankers . Once again the 134th achieved combat operational status in record time. These aircraft were later upgraded to "E" models in 1982 and finally replaced with "R" models in 2006. The unit flew 177 sorties and off-loaded 4.5 million pounds of fuel in Operation Desert Shield. During Operation Desert Storm, one hundred and nine members of

851-579: The first prototype, piloted by Major Curtin L. Reinhardt, flew from Seattle to Washington, D.C. in 6 hours 4 minutes, an average speed of 383 mph (616 km/h) with 20,000 lb (9,100 kg) of cargo. The tenth and all subsequent aircraft were fitted with the 3,500 hp (2,600 kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp Major engines and taller fin and rudder of the B-50 Superfortress . The C-97 had clamshell doors under its tail so that two retractable ramps could be used to drive in cargo, but it

888-572: The following units: Authorized by the National Guard Bureau in 1957 to replace the active-duty 355th Fighter Group (Air Defense) at McGhee Tyson Air Force Base , Knoxville, Tennessee. Extended recognition as a new unit on 15 December 1957 and assigned to the Air Defense Command Montgomery Air Defense Sector. The third Tennessee Air National Guard unit was equipped with F-86D Sabre Interceptors with

925-526: The gunner's position blanked off. The first of three heavily revised YC-97A incorporating the re-engineered wing (higher-strength 75ST alloy), taller vertical tail and larger Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines of the B-50 bomber, flew on 28 January 1948 and was the basis of the subsequent sole YC-97B, all production C-97s, KC-97s and civilian Stratocruiser aircraft. Between 1944 and 1958, 888 C-97s in several versions were built, 811 being KC-97 tankers. C-97s served in

962-611: The payload capacity of the C-97. The USAF Strategic Air Command operated C-97 Stratofreighters from 1949 to 1978. Early in its service life, it served as an airborne alternative SAC command post. While only 77 C-97 transports were built, 811 were built as KC-97 Stratofreighters for inflight refueling. The KC-97 began to be phased out with the introduction of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in 1957. Many KC-97s were later refitted as C-97G transports and equipped several squadrons of

999-505: The preferred C-130. They adapted Boeing 377 Stratocruiser airliners into transports, including many using C-97 tail sections including the loading ramps. Others were adapted with swiveling tails and refueling pods. One Israeli C-97 was downed by an Egyptian SA-2 Guideline missile on 17 September 1971, while flying as an electronic counter-measures platform some 12 miles from the Suez Canal . The following Air Force wing organizations flew

1036-422: The unit were activated and deployed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There the unit was part of the 1713th Air Refueling Wing, Provisional, commanded by Colonel Frederick H. Forster of the 134th ARW. During Operation Desert Storm, the 1713th ARW(P) flew 568 sorties and off loaded millions of pounds of fuel to combat and support aircraft. With the inactivation of Strategic Air Command in 1992,

1073-514: The wing transitioned to the KC-135R that it flies and maintains today. The 134 ARW, which continues to be operationally gained by AMC, operates the KC-135R Stratotanker for both air mobility missions and the aerial refueling of military aircraft. McGhee Tyson ANGB is also home to the I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center and its associated Academy of Military Science (AMS). Similar to USAF Officer Training School (OTS), AMS

1110-521: Was activated with F-86Ds to become the second FIS. On August 29, 1957, the Air Force announced that the base, by then worth $ 7.75 million in then-current dollars, would close. About 4,000 active duty Air Force personnel left the area, taking with them $ 25.5 million in equipment from the base. Regular Air Force operations at McGhee Tyson Airport ended on January 8, 1958, and the 354 FIS was inactivated on that date. The 355 FIS remained until 1 July 1960 when it

1147-642: Was an alternate commissioning source for prospective USAF officers, primarily former enlisted airmen of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard who were directly inputted into various units of the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard throughout the United States. The AMS program was merged into the OTS organization at Maxwell AFB , Alabama in 2010. Today, the center, also known as

McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base - Misplaced Pages Continue

1184-604: Was assigned to the base while on active duty during the Korean War . Assigned to Air Defense Command (ADC) and flying F-47D Thunderbolts , the 105th FIS was headquartered at Berry Field in Nashville. The 105th FIS remained at the base until 1 January 1952 when it was returned to state control under the Tennessee Air National Guard The Air Defense Command 's active duty Central Air Defense Force , 516th Air Defense Group (516 ADG), replaced

1221-497: Was developed into the civilian Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, a transoceanic airliner that could be fitted with sleeper cabins and featured a lower deck lounge. The first Stratocruiser flew on July 8, 1947. Only 56 were built. The C-97 entered service in 1947, during a period of rapid development of heavy transport aircraft. Only 77 were built before the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II was delivered in 1950, with nearly twice

1258-710: Was equipped with the Boeing KC-97G Stratotanker , and assumed an air refueling mission. With no previously qualified aircrew or maintenance personnel assigned, the 134th was still the first Air National Guard flying unit equipped with KC-97's to achieve operational status. They did so in eight months, the previous "normal" time for the conversion was two years. In 1966 the squadron began a rotational deployment to Ramstein Air Base in support of Operation Creek Party which provided USAFE an air refueling capability. The Creek Party deployment rotations lasted until 1976, and over

1295-608: Was federalized in November 1961 as a result of the 1961 Berlin Crisis , deployed to Ramstein Air Base , West Germany, and assigned to the USAFE 86th Air Division . In May 1962 while still deployed to Ramstein AB, the unit set an All-Time US Air Force jet fighter flying record of 836 hours 5 minutes. In addition, the unit had the highest flying time per aircraft assigned ever recorded in the Air Force for

1332-531: Was inactivated along with the F-86 interceptor squadrons, and the base turned over to Tennessee Air National Guard control and renamed McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base. With the departure of Regular Air Force units, the Tennessee Air National Guard continued to maintain a fighter-interceptor mission at McGhee Tyson under the 134th Fighter-Interceptor Group (134 FIG) with F-86D aircraft until 1960 when

1369-485: Was not a tactical airlifter able to deliver to primitive forward bases. The doors could not be opened in flight, but could be removed to carry out air drops. The C-97 had a useful payload of 35,000 lb (16,000 kg), which could include two 2½-ton trucks , towed artillery, or light tracked vehicles such as the M56 Scorpion . The C-97 featured cabin pressurization, which made long flights more comfortable. The C-97

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