• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

349th Air Refueling Squadron [349th ARS]

The 349th Air Refueling Squadron was constituted as the 349th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942 and activated on 1 June 1942 at Orlando AB, FL. Assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group, the unit flew the B-17 aircraft. The squadron deployed to Thorpe Abbots, England, from 14 June 1943 to 23 November 1945. During that time, it was redesignated the 349th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 20 August 1943. Subsequently, the squadron returned home to Camp Kilmer, NJ, whereupon it inactivated on 1 December 1945.

Redesignated 349th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, on 13 May 1947, the 349th was reactivated in the Reserve at Miami AAFld, FL, on 29 May 1947 as part of the 100th Bombardment Group, flying the AT-6, AT-7, and AT-11 aircraft. The 349th was again inactivated on 27 June 1949.

Redesignated as the 349th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 1 August 1955, it was reactivated on 1 January 1956 and assigned to the 100th Bombardment Wing(later 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing; and later 100th Air Refueling Wing). The squadron converted to the B-47 as its primary assigned aircraft. The squadron was at that point stationed at Portsmouth (later Pease) AFB, NH, though it deployed to Brize Norton RAF Station, England, from 4 January to c. 1 April 1958.

In 1966, the squadron transitioned to the U/WU-2 aircraft and moved to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, as part of its being redesignated 349th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron on 25 June 1966. With this new aircraft, the 349th was tasked with conducting worldwide strategic reconnaissance.

The squadron was redesignated the 349th Air Refueling Squadron, Heavy, on 30 September 1976 and moved to Beale AFB, CA. That same year, the 349th transitioned to the KC-135 aircraft and given the mission of providing air refueling in support of SR-71 aircraft until 1990.

It was assigned to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing on 15 March 1983. As part of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, the 349th provided cargo and air refueling support to combat units in Southwest Asia, from August 1990 until March 1991.

Redesignated as the 349th Air Refueling Squadron on 1 September 1991, it was assigned to the 9th Operations Group.

Inactivated on 1 Jun 1992, the squadron was reactivated on 1 January 1994 at McConnell AFB, KS, as part of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing.