307th AREFS HISTORY
The 307th was first activated in June 1950 and attached to the 307th Bombardment
Wing at MacDill AFB, Florida. Crews flew the KC-29M, a hose-type refueling
aircraft. Later that year the squadron moved to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
to fly within the 43rd Bombardment Group. In August 1951, upon relocating
to Walker AFB, N.M., the 307th refueled other aircraft using the KB-29T, a
boom-type refueling system. It was at Walker that the squadron performed the
first U.S. Air Force3 over-water fighter refueling mission. Many people assigned
to the squadron during this time participated in the Project Ivy atomic tests
in the Pacific. After relocating to Bergstrom AFB, Texas, the unit performed
refueling missions for F-84 aircraft within the 42nd Air Division. However,
when everyone but one officer and one airman were reassigned, the squadron
was deactivated on November 18, 1953. Just six month later, the unit was reactivated
and flew out of Maxwell AFB, AL, with KC-97 aircraft while assigned to the
321st Bomb Wing at Pinecastle AFB, Florida
The 307th Air Refueling Squadron was assigned to Lincoln AFB, Nebraska in
the spring of 1954 under the leadership of Lt. Col. Everett B. Thurlow. The
squadron was assigned to the 307th Bombardment Wing, 818th Air Division, both
headquartered at Lincoln AFB.
The first of many extended deployments took place in March 1955 when the squadron
was assigned TDY to Goose AB, Labrador for approximately 45 days. In the summer
and fall of 1956 the second on the so-called “90 day” TDY’s
was spent in jolly old England at Greenham Common AB.
We spent a lovely summer and early fall in 1957 at the “top of the world”
at Thule AB. Those lucky souls on this TDY will undoubtedly remember the midnight
sun shining in their bleary eyes from the North Pole vicinity as they left
the clubs at midnight or later. The cold storage vault-like doors on the barracks
and the ingenious mechanical design of the commodes were a likely subject
of conversation at the bar. The squadron pulled the first ground alert in
SAC’s history that fall. In the usual confusion of organizing “firsts”
many also remember that the now commander, Lt. Col. Oliver Fowler, demanded
we sleep in our flight suits (with boots on) so as to be able to respond to
the alert timing demanded by SAC HQ.
Starting in November 1957 we participated in initial operational program to
refuel TAC fighters with short TDY’s to MacDill AFB, FL. Other glimpses
of that time included for many the “achievement of the much sought after
status” as test flight crew for the week or possible their selection
as taxi crew for the day.
In July many in the squadron, even though their mobility bags were stuffed
with newspaper to lighten that often lifted load, were pleased to receive
the written verification the: Verbal Orders of the Commander” (VOC)
were confirmed and that their presence at Ernest Harmon AB, Newfoundland after
the unexpected launch of the alert aircraft from Lincoln, was officially sanctioned.
That September the entire squadron was given the pleasure of seeing Harmon
AB as we deployed on yet another extended TDY under the nickname of “Operation
Sand Tiger”.
For those in attendance the next spring at a briefing, Lt. Col. Fowler’s
historic statement that “the 307th AREFS will not go on any extended
TDY’s in the foreseeable future” most certainly was a great relief.
However, his concept of “foreseeable future” was rather limited
at least to those of us who “On or about D/A 11 July 1959” found
ourselves in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean at Lajes Field, Azores for “QUOTE--QUOTE
90 days (Perhaps his definition of “extended” was suspect too).
Periodic visits of week duration to the alert facility at Lockbourne AFB,
Ohio, improved our morale during the winter of 1959-60 upon our return from
Lajes.
Many good people and several aircraft “dogs” were reassigned from
Hunter AFB, GA to Selfridge AFB, Michigan to augment the 307th AREFS’
“Permanent Change of Station” to the same location in the late
spring of 1960. Upon arrival, we immediately discovered that SAC’s vaunted
planning staff and computer support were not as infallible as we had been
led to believe. The 307th had not been programmed in the General War Plan.
One bomber unit had no assigned tankers in their portion of the same plan
(SIOP), so we had the good fortune of supporting their requirement from Malstrom
AFB, Montana, for several months in Mid-1960 while the planning staff at Offutt
tried to unravel the mess so we could pull our alerts at our home base.
Lt. Col. Clyde Taylor assumed command in the spring of 1962 when Lt. Col.
Fowler was “bumped upstairs” to the 4045th Air Refueling Wing
Staff. April of 1962 saw us basking in the sun in the mid’atlantic once
more for several fun filled months or as the orders read “approximately
90 days TDY to APO NY, NY” This TDY also included approximately 2 months
of little or no per diem because of changes in finance rules.
The loss of the 4045th Air Refueling Wing in December 1962 provided absolutely
no lapse in the alert schedule as the 500th Air Refueling Wing (same place,
same people, same aircraft, same BS) assumed all the duties of the 4045th.
The fall and winter and into the spring of 1963 found the 307th and our sister
squadron, the 44th AREFS enjoying cold—colder---coldest weather on alert
at Frobisher Bay and Ft. Churchill AB’s in Canada.
Due to the runway repair at Selfridge, we spent our summer in 1963 “Down
East” at Dow AFB, Maine. The live lobster (which were affordable then)
and the landings at Detroit Metropolitan Airport for weekend ?”honeymoon”
flights were the highlights of this TDY.
In late 1963, Lt. Col. Carson Gallien replaced Lt. Col. Taylor as Commander.
He nicely managed to arrange reflex alert operations at Namao AB, Canada,
for the squadron. I suspect, since he knew the squadron had enjoyed most of
Eastern Canada at various times and places, that we would certainly prefer
to spend our alert time away form home in Western Canada instead. So, for
the early part of 1964 this arrangement took place on schedule.
In 1964 we saw the demise of the 500 ARWg, leaving the 307th Squadron as an
independent unit, operating directly under the 40th Air Division at Wurtsmith
with Col. Joe Young as Squadron Commander. Col. Young was transferred to Division
Headquarters in 1965 and Lt. Col. Osborn assumed command until his retirement
in early 1966 when the work of “turning out the lights” became
the job of Major Francis McMullen. The doors were finally “locked”
on 25 June 1966.
On September 30, 1985, the 307th AREFS was reactivated at a formal ceremony
at K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI. The squadron, assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing
at Sawyer, flew for the first time – the KC-135.
It has since been deactivated again.
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The above History of Activities at Lincoln and Selfridge was initially compiled
by the late Barry Thompson in 1964 and since updated by subsequent members;
although not
named, their contributions are greatly appreciated.
Former Squadron Commanders – Lincoln and Selfridge
L/Col. Everett Thurlow
L/Col. Oliver Fowler
L/Col. Clyde Taylor
L/Col. Carson Gallien
L/Col. Robert Christensen
Col. Joseph Young
L/Col. Allen Osborn
Maj. Francis McMullin