History 301st_Air_Refueling_Squadron

c-47 in air transport command markings

the first of 2 world war ii squadrons later consolidated 301st air refueling squadron 301st transport squadron, activated in summer of 1943 @ sookerating airfield, india 1 of 3 squadrons of 29th transport group when india-china wing, air transport command expanded adding 3 groups, 28th, 29th, , 30th transport groups. squadron drew cadre 13th air corps ferry squadron , had been stationed @ sookerating since 1942. next 5 months squadron flew personnel, equipment , supplies base in india on hump advanced bases in china.

on 1 december 1943, india-china wing, air transport command reorganized, disbanding table of organization groups , squadrons , replacing them stations manned under exact manning tables. squadron, along remainder of 29th group, replaced station 7, india-china wing, air transport command.

the 322d transport squadron assigned 31st transport group shortly after 301st squadron disbanded. 31st group located @ raf grove , had been activated transport high priority passengers , cargo ix air force service command support ninth air force , eighth air force in united kingdom , france. 322d squadron disbanded few months after activated.

air refueling operations

kb-29m flown 301st air refueling squadron

the 301st air refueling squadron activated in march 1949 @ barksdale air force base, louisiana squadron 1 of first strategic air command (sac) air refueling squadrons established. squadron performed air refueling in support of usaf operations on worldwide basis part of 301st bombardment wing. squadron performed 1 of first deployments raf lakenheath, england, supporting 32d bombardment squadron may november 1950.

in spring of 1951, sac ordered 301st bombardment wing provide cadre formation of 376th bombardment wing @ barksdale, 301st providing nucleus 376th air refueling squadron. 301st replaced initial contingent of boeing kb-29 superfortresses boeing kc-97 stratotankers in 1953. after 1955, squadron detached parent wing deployed forward locations.

in spring of 1958, sac phased out boeing b-47 stratojet operations @ barksdale, , 301st bombardment wing transferred lockbourne air force base, ohio. squadron did not move, assigned 4238th strategic wing, activated in anticipation of assignment of boeing b-52 stratofortresses barksdale.

usaf kc-97f refueling b-47b

the 301st deployed lajes air base in azores islands in 1960, returning barksdale in mid-october. squadron programmed inactivation in 1961 phaseout of propeller-driven kc-97 sac, instead reduced half strength in summer of 1961 , inactivation delayed until 1962 . during period operated @ reduced strength squadron continued deploy goose air base, canada late april 1962. 301st reduced in size, companion refueling squadron in 4238th strategic wing, 913th air refueling squadron, flew more modern boeing kc-135 stratotankers, doubled strength.

the 301st reactivated in 1973 @ lockbourne kc-135a squadron. in 1975, 301st wing transferred 8 kc-135s 160th air refueling group of ohio air national guard, became first sac gained air national guard unit under total force concept. squadron inactivated @ end of 1975.