page_title: 459th Air Refueling Wing
section_title: Airlift Operations
hierarchical_section_title: 459th Air Refueling Wing / History / Airlift Operations
caption_attribution_description: English: Chief Master Sgt. Frankie Rollins, 756th Refueling Squadron superintendent and boom operator, refuels a Naval Air Systems Command P-8A Poseidon over the Atlantic Ocean April 13, 2017. This was the first successful operational inflight refueling of the P-8A after a year of planning and coordination with NAVAIR. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Kat Justen)
context_page_description: The 459th Air Refueling Wing is a wing of the Air Force Reserve Command of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Fourth Air Force and stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. If mobilized, the wing would be gained by the Air Mobility Command. The wing flies and maintains Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers, providing air refueling.
  The wing, over the years, is a six-time recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. There are about 1,200 traditional Reservists stationed at the wing. A full-time civilian and Air Reserve Technician staff of approximately 230 personnel provide wing day-to-day administration and management.
context_section_description: On 1 July 1966, the 459th was redesignated the 459th Military Airlift Wing and converted to a strategic, long-range mission with the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II aircraft.
  In June 1971, the 459th converted to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and was redesignated as the 459th Tactical Airlift Wing. In December 1974, with the consolidation of all Air Force strategic and tactical airlift resources under a single manager, the 459th's active duty gaining command switched from Tactical Air Command to Military Airlift Command.
  In July 1986, the wing converted to the Lockheed C-141B Starlifter aircraft. The conversion resulted in an increase of wing personnel at Andrews from 900 to a level of almost 1,600.
  In 1989, a 459th C-141 was the first aircraft to fly troops and supplies into Howard Air Force Base, Panama during Operation Just Cause; the following year the wing was named the Air Force Reserve Outstanding Unit of the Year by the Air Force Association.  In August 1990 wing aircrews were some of the first reservists activated in Support of Operation Desert Shield and many additional members were called to active service at the start of Operation Desert Storm with many deployed through the summer of 1991.
caption: USN P-8 being refueled by 459th ARW KC-135R
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