126th Air Refueling Wing

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126th Air Refueling Wing The 126th Air Refueling Wing is Illinois' oldest Air National Guard unit and the ANG's first air refueling wing. Last updated: Saturday, September 26, 2026.

We fly the KC-135R Stratotanker from Scott Air Force Base, fueling the fight anytime, anywhere. The 126th's roots trace to Chicago in 1927, when the 108th Observation Squadron flew the PT-1 "Trusty" and the O-2H, O-38, and O-47 biplanes. The unit evolved into a Fighter-Bomber Wing flying the B-26 Marauder, C-47 Skytrain, and F-51 Mustang, then a Fighter-Interceptor Wing flying the F-84 Thunderstreak and F-86L Sabre Jet. In 1961, the wing transitioned from an Air Defense Wing to the 126th Air Refueling Wing, flying the KC-97 Stratotanker, with the 108th Air Refueling Squadron under its direct control. Today, with 99 years of history, the 108 ARS continues its refueling mission flying the KC-135R Stratotanker. For information about ID cards please call 126th Force Support Squadron 618-229-9500. https://www.war.gov/social-media-policy/?fbclid=IwAR3N6QWJqATLC9WOPqywupA_cw964YmbLMlnKqSQ2l9bb92MMsrMwBkZZA4


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Today is Back to the Future Day. On Oct. 21, 2015, Marty McFly showed up in the future. In October 2015, we were swingin...
10/21/2026

Today is Back to the Future Day. On Oct. 21, 2015, Marty McFly showed up in the future. In October 2015, we were swinging for the fences at Family Day and wrapping up the IG CAPSTONE.

Swipe through. Recognize anyone? Tag them in the comments, and tell us where you were on Oct. 21, 2015.

The 126th Airman 126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center is now on Instagram, go over and check them out.
10/19/2026

The 126th Airman 126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center is now on Instagram, go over and check them out.

Follow us on Instagram!

Illinois National Guard AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG) Scott Air Force Base Air National Guard Air Mobility Command U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) United States Air Force The National Guard U.S. Air Force Medical Service - AFMS 126th Air Refueling Wing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

10/16/2026

15 days left. The boom operator (Inflight Refueling Specialist) selection board meets Nov. 7, and applications close COB Oct. 31. It’s open to current military members AND civilians, as a Drill Status Guardsman.

You’ll need a cover letter and a resume with three references. Civilians: call our recruiters at 618-229-9126 to get started. Current members: reach out to Chief Master Sgt. Reed or Master Sgt. Olsen for the full checklist, or message us for POC info.

Submitting gets you considered, not guaranteed a seat. Don’t wait until the last week. In 1983, one of our boom operators, a SMSgt., logged his 10,000th hour on the boom. Your first hour starts with an application.
Illinois National Guard Air Mobility Command Air National Guard AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG) 126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Scott Air Force Base

  48 years ago today, Maj. Gen. Donald J. Smith retired. He started in 1938 as an aircraft mechanic in the 108th Observa...
10/15/2026

48 years ago today, Maj. Gen. Donald J. Smith retired. He started in 1938 as an aircraft mechanic in the 108th Observation Squadron. He flew combat in World War II, was shot down over Ploesti, Romania, evaded capture and made it back to Allied lines. He later led the Illinois Air Guard. Mechanic to major general. Did you serve with him? Tell us below. Find more of our history today on X and Instagram. 126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center Illinois National Guard Air National Guard
AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG) Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
Scott Air Force Base
Air Mobility Command
U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
The National Guard

UNDERCOVER COLONEL! In this week’s episode, Air Force Col. Nick Henschel, 126th Air Refueling Wing commander, went under...
10/14/2026

UNDERCOVER COLONEL! In this week’s episode, Air Force Col. Nick Henschel, 126th Air Refueling Wing commander, went undercover with Staff Sgt. Jacob Earll from the analysis section of the 126th Maintenance Operations Flight. Earll had Henschel pull maintenance data from multiple sources to build the monthly Health of the Fleet slide and the fiscal year 2026 performance dashboard. They also analyzed aircraft performance and discussed trends across dozens of metrics, including mission capability rate, aircraft availability, break rate, hours flown and fuel offloaded.

“Our M*F team does an outstanding job analyzing large amounts of data, cleaning and QC’ing the data, then presenting that data to accurately tell our story. Based on the numbers, our wing continues to lead the entire KC-135 enterprise in key operational metrics. We execute the tanker mission better than everyone else and our M*F team has the data to prove it!” said Henschel.

Interested in joining the 126th Maintenance Group? Call our recruiters at 618-229-9126 and stay tuned for the next episode of .

126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center
Illinois National Guard
Air National Guard AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG)
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Scott Air Force Base Air Mobility Command U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) The National Guard

10/13/2026


Happy 251st Birthday, U.S. Navy!

Since Oct. 13, 1775, the Navy has defended the seas. Here we refuel a Navy P-8A Poseidon. Different uniforms, same mission.
U.S. Navy
126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center
Illinois National Guard Air National Guard
AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG)
Scott Air Force Base
Air Mobility Command
U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
The National Guard
Happy birthday, shipmates.

  Twenty years ago this week, 126th maintainers were wheels up for Incirlik, Turkey. Over that rotation they flew 77 sor...
10/08/2026

Twenty years ago this week, 126th maintainers were wheels up for Incirlik, Turkey. Over that rotation they flew 77 sorties, logged 323.9 flying hours, kept a 95% mission capable rate, and painted the unit's barrier, an Incirlik tradition that told everyone Illinois was here. Were you on that rotation? Tell us below, and find more of our history today on X and Instagram. 126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center
Illinois National Guard
Air National Guard AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG)
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Scott Air Force Base
Air Mobility Command U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)
The National Guard

  Air Force 14, Navy 9, and the B-21 Raider uniform looked the part.The Airman behind it: 2nd Lt. Aaron Rodriguez, one o...
10/06/2026


Air Force 14, Navy 9, and the B-21 Raider uniform looked the part.

The Airman behind it: 2nd Lt. Aaron Rodriguez, one of our public affairs officers, who designed the Air Force Academy's Air Power Legacy Series uniform and was at Falcon Stadium to see it debut.

More game-day photos on our Instagram: instagram.com/126arw

U.S. Air Force photos by Trevor Cokley and Jonathan Suni; photo of 2nd Lt. Rodriguez courtesy of Alan Tran.

⛽✈️

126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen Resiliency Center Illinois National Guard Belleville News-Democrat
Air National Guard AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG)
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Scott Air Force Base Air Mobility Command
U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) St. Louis CITY SC St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Blues

In this week’s episode of “Undercover Colonel,” U.S. Air Force Col. Nick Henschel, 126th Air Refueling Wing, commander, ...
10/05/2026

In this week’s episode of “Undercover Colonel,” U.S. Air Force Col. Nick Henschel, 126th Air Refueling Wing, commander, went undercover with Tech. Sgt. Eric Hartman, 126th Civil Engineer Squadron, power production team. Together they accomplished a monthly check of the petroleum, oil, and lubricants generator, which included running checklists, verifying power status, and manually switching electrical sources.

Henschel also worked with Tech. Sgt. Keith Eddy, non-commissioned in charge of the Fuels Service Center, and Airman 1st Class Maxwell Harter from the POL team to evaluate fuel pump status while the building was operating on backup generator power.

“Our CE team does an outstanding job operating, maintaining, and protecting all the infrastructure that supports our mission across 132 acres and 70 facilities!” said Henschel. “The power production team ensures our mission continues despite power outages or other natural disasters – a key contributor to our mission success!”

If interested in joining our Civil Engineer Squadron, please reach out to the 126th Air Refueling Wing recruiters, 618-229-9126, and stay tuned for the next episode of .

Air National Guard AFMS - Scott - 126th Medical Group Air National Guard (ANG)
Scott Air Force Base U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) The National Guard US Air Force Civil Engineers

Wheels up, Falcons! The B-21 Raider-inspired uniform hits Falcon Stadium at 11 a.m.  designed by 126th Public Affairs ow...
10/03/2026

Wheels up, Falcons! The B-21 Raider-inspired uniform hits Falcon Stadium at 11 a.m. designed by 126th Public Affairs own 2nd Lt. Aaron Rodriguez. Tune in and cheer them(the team and the uniform) on. Go Air Force, beat Navy!

Read his story. Link in the comments.

Illinois National Guard Air National Guard United States Air Force United States Air Force Academy Air Force Falcons United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force Air Force Times National Guard Association of the United States - NGAUS Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

Address

126 Air Guard Way
Scott Air Force Base, IL
62225

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 3:30pm
Thursday 8am - 3:30pm
Friday 8am - 3:30pm

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