22nd Air Refueling Wing
| 22d Air Refueling Wing | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 August 1948–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Aerial refueling |
| Part of | Air Mobility Command |
| Garrison/HQ | McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas |
| Motto | Ducemus (Latin for 'We Lead') |
| Equipment | Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Boeing KC-46 Pegasus |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | General Howell M. Estes II General Hansford T. Johnson General Jerome F. O'Malley Major General William Crumm |
| Insignia | |
| 22d Air Refueling Wing emblem | |
The 22nd Air Refueling Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Mobility Command's Eighteenth Air Force. It is stationed at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, and it also functions as the host wing for McConnell.
Its primary mission is to provide global reach by conducting air refueling and airlift where and when needed. It is one of only three "super tanker" wings in the Air Force, with four regular Air Force air refueling squadrons, and 47 Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker and Boeing KC-46 Pegasus aircraft.
The 22nd's origins date to 1940 as the 22nd Bombardment Group. The group was one of the first United States Army Air Forces units to be deployed into the Pacific Theater after the Pearl Harbor Attack with the Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber. The 22d Operations Group carries the lineage and history of its highly decorated World War II predecessor unit. Active for over 60 years, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and its earlier designation as the 22nd Bombardment Wing, was a component wing of Strategic Air Command's deterrent force during the Cold War.
The 22nd Air Refueling Wing is currently commanded by Colonel Joseph D. Wall. Its Deputy Commander is Colonel Aaron J. Strode. The wing's Command Chief Master Sergeant is CMSgt Markiesha C. Crawford.