Transport mission

With the return to Arizona, the unit was reassigned from ADC to the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) in October 1962. The Mach-2 Starfighters were exchanged for large, 4-engined C-97G Stratofreighters with a mission of worldwide transport of personnel, supplies and equipment. The 197th Air Transport Squadron (later Military Airlift Squadron) flew missions to the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, South Vietnam, Thailand and Australia. During the height of the Vietnam War, the squadron routinely flew trans-Pacific medical evacuation missions from hospitals in South Vietnam, Japan, and the Philippines of wounded servicemen and women to the United States, being designated as an Aeromedical Transport Squadron. In 1969 the Military Airlift Squadron designation was returned and the unit again flew scheduled transport missions for Military Airlift Command (MAC).

Air Refueling

In 1972, military requirements resulted in a change in mission when the group was reassigned from MAC transport duties to the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Under SAC the group became an Air Refueling unit, beginning with the air refueling version of the C-97 transport, the KC-97 Stratofreighter. Familiarity with the aircraft led to a smooth transition from MAC to the new refueling mission. In 1977, SAC announced that Air National Guard refueling units would begin to upgrade to the KC-135 Stratotanker. The 197th Air Refueling Squadron has been flying the KC-135 for the past 35 years.

A 161st ARG KC-135A with two Hawaii ANG F-4Cs in 1979

During the 1991 Gulf War, Air National Guard tanker units were quickly called into action. An around-the-clock airlift began to support the buildup to the conflict, Operation Desert Shield. Tankers and crews from the 161st were some of the first to arrive in Saudi Arabia. Elements of the 197th ARS were assigned to the 1709th Air Refueling Wing (Provisional), flying from King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

From the start and for the duration, tankers servicing the conflict left Phoenix weekly, loaded with maintenance and support technicians who worked in the Saudi Arabian desert up to 45 days, and in some cases more. As the allies prepared to move against Iraq, aircraft crews, maintenance personnel, medics, fire fighters, security forces and food service technicians were dispatched to bases in Europe and the United States. Before the war in the Persian Gulf was concluded more than two-thirds of the force assigned to the 161st Air Refueling Group had served on active duty in some capacity to support the Middle East effort.

In 1994, 1995 and 1997 the unit deployed to Pisa, Italy where our tankers supported NATO operations in Bosnia. 1997 also saw the 161st facing challenges in the United Arab Emirates. The unit was vital to the success of Operation Deny Flight and Operation Southern Watch. 1 October 1995, marked another key change in the unit's long history. The 161st Air Refueling Group was redesignated as the 161st Air Refueling Wing under the USAF Air Mobility Command (AMC). 1996 saw the Copperheads turn 50 years old. The unit celebrated with year-round contests and a 50th Anniversary Celebration in December.

The 161st sent about 130 personnel to Operation Northern Watch early in 1999. Based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, the unit supported flight operations within the northern no-fly zone over Iraq. Early in the second quarter of 1999, 161st Copperheads were quickly pressed into service over Kosovo for Operation Allied Force. Nearly 200 unit airmen served on active duty for about two months, flying 125 missions to offload almost 2.5 million gallons of fuel. The airmen returned to Phoenix in late June 1999.

Although not directly called as a unit the "Copperheads" played a vital role in support units during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. Many Security Forces saw duty overseas directly supporting bases while maintenance and operations personnel were called to support the ongoing operations.

In its 2005 BRAC Recommendations, DoD (the Department of Defense) recommended the distribution of the 117th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135R aircraft from Birmingham International Airport Air Guard Station (AGS), Alabama and the 161st Air Refueling Wing, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport AGS (two aircraft) and two other bases. Phoenix Sky Harbor (37) scored higher than Birmingham (63) in military value for the tanker mission. This recommendation would take advantage of available capacity at Phoenix by increasing the air refueling squadron size from eight to ten aircraft, increasing the wing's overall capability. It would also capitalize on the favorable recruiting environment of the greater Phoenix region that could sustain this increased squadron size.

Lineage

• Designated 161st Fighter-Interceptor Group, and allotted to Arizona ANG, 1957

Extended federal recognition and activated, 2 October 1957

Federalized and placed on active duty, 1 November 1961

Placed in non-operational status, 25 November 1961 – 15 August 1962

Released from active duty and returned to Arizona state control, 15 August 1962

Re-designated: 161st Air Transport Group, 1 October 1962

Re-designated: 161st Military Airlift Group, 8 January 1966

Re-designated: 161st Aero Medical Airlift Group, 16 August 1968

Re-designated: 161st Military Airlift Group, 1 December 1969

Re-designated: 161st Air Refueling Group, 1 August 1972

Status changed from Group to Wing, 1 October 1995

Re-designated: 161st Air Refueling Wing, 1 October 1995

Assignments

• Arizona Air National Guard, 2 October 1957

Gained by: 34th Air Division, Air Defense Command

Gained by: Los Angeles Air Defense Sector, Air Defense Command, 1 July 1960

Gained by: Western Transport Air Force, Military Air Transport Service, 1 October 1962

Gained by: Twenty-Second Air Force, Military Airlift Command, 8 January 1966

Gained by: Strategic Air Command, 1 August 1972

Gained by: Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992

Gained by: Air Mobility Command, 1 June 1993–Present

Components

• 161st Operations Group, 1 October 1995 – Present
• 197th Fighter-Interceptor (later Air Transport, Military Airlift, Aero Medical Airlift, Air Refueling) Squadron, 2 October 1957 – Present

Assigned to 161 OG, 1 October 1995–Present

Stations

• Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, 1 November 1952

Designated: Goldwater Air National Guard Base, 1991–Present

Aircraft