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  • 1923 -- The Beginnings of Inflight Refueling

    The air service first demonstrated inflight refueling in June 25, 1923, and in August of that year Lts. Lowell H. Smith and John P. Richter set a new world's record by staying aloft for 37 hours and 15 minutes in a DH-4 over San Diego with the help of refueling from another DH-4.

  • History of the 117th Air Refueling Wing

    The 117th Air Refueling Wing began life as the 117th Fighter Group, a re-designation of the 354th Operations Group in 1946. The 354th Operations Group was active in the Pacific theater during World War II. Ten years later, the 117th would be retroactively designated the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance

  • KC-135R Stratotanker

    The KC-135R Stratotanker is the primary aircraft used for high speed aerial refueling to provide U.S. Air Force aircraft with extended range and mobility.