351st Air Refueling Squadron
| 351st Air Refueling Squadron | |
|---|---|
Squadron KC-135R Stratotanker at RAF Mildenhall | |
| Active | 1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1956–1966; 1992–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Aerial refueling |
| Part of | United States Air Forces in Europe |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Mildenhall |
| Motto | Pax Opus Nostrum (Latin for 'Peace is our Profession') |
| Equipment | KC-135R/T Stratotanker |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations Kosovo War |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 351st Air Refueling Squadron emblem | |
| Patch with 351st Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II) | |
| World War II fuselage code | EP (1942–1945) |
| Tail code | Square D (100th Group, World War II, 1992–present) |
The 351st Air Refueling Squadron is a United States Air Force unit that is part of the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England. Since 1992, it has operated the Boeing KC-135R/T Stratotanker aircraft conducting primarily aerial refueling but also airlift and aeromedical evacuation missions.
The squadron was activated as the 351st Bombardment Squadron during World War II as a heavy bomber unit. It served in combat in the European Theater of Operations, where it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its actions. After V-E Day the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated at the port of embarkation.
The squadron was briefly active in the reserve from 1947 to 1949, but does not appear to have been fully equipped or manned. It served between 1956 and 1966 with Strategic Air Command as a bombardment unit, flying Boeing B-47 Stratojets.