151st Air Refueling Wing The 151st Air Refueling Wing ( 124 ARW ) is a unit of the Utah Air National Guard , stationed at Salt Lake City Air National Guard Base , Utah . If activated to federal service , the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . Mission . The primary mission of the 151st Air Refueling Wing is to provide air refueling support to major commands of the United States Air Force , as well as other U . S . military forces and the military forces of allied nations . Additionally , the unit can support airlift missions . The unit is also tasked with supporting the nuclear strike missions of the Single Integrated Operational Plan . History . On 1 July 1958 , the Utah Air National Guard 191st Fighter - Interceptor Squadron was authorized to expand to a group level , and the 151st Fighter - Interceptor Group was established by the National Guard Bureau . The 191st FIS becoming the group ' s flying squadron . Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 151st Headquarters , 151st Material Squadron ( Maintenance ) , 151st Combat Support Squadron , and the 1151st USAF Dispensary . The group was gained by the Air Defense Command ( ADC ) 29th Air Division . In 1958 , the 151st FIW implemented the ADC Runway Alert Program , in which interceptors of the 191st Fighter - Interceptor Squadron were committed to a five - minute runway alert . Its existing F - 86A day interceptors were replaced by the F - 86L Sabre Interceptor , a day / night / all - weather aircraft designed to be integrated into the ADC SAGE interceptor direction and control system . Transport mission . On 1 April 1961 , the 151st was transferred from Air Defense Command to the Military Air Transport Service ( MATS ) , and re - equipped with C - 97 Stratofreighter . The 151st Air Transport Group expanded its military airlift role to worldwide mission capabilities . Entering the realm of Southeast Asia and the Vietnam War , the Utah Air National Guard flew its first mission into the Southeast Asia theater combat zone in late 1964 , and continued to do so throughout the Vietnam War years . In January 1966 , the unit became the 151st Military Airlift Group ( 151 MAG ) , under the Military Airlift Command [ MAC ] . In 1969 , the C - 97s were retired and replaced by the C - 124C Globemaster II . During the Vietnam War , Utah Air Guard crews flew 6 , 600 hours of support missions for American forces . Air Refueling . The 151st Military Airlift Group was transferred to Strategic Air Command ( SAC ) on 1 July 1972 and was equipped with second - line KC - 97L Stratotanker s . In 1978 , the squadron received KC - 135A Stratotanker s ; a newer and faster jet tanker . In January 1979 the unit began the 24 hour per day Strategic Air Command ( SAC ) alert commitment . This commitment would be maintained for the next 12 years until President George Bush ended the SAC Alert Force in 1991 . The 1980s found the squadron involved in many training exercises as well as " real World " flying missions . In 1982 the unit converted to a newer version model aircraft — the KC - 135E . In April 1983 the 191st Air Refueling Squadron was involved in the first Pacific Tanker Task Force , with flights to Guam , South Korea and Australia . Spring of 1984 brought a very large " first " for the 1191st Air Refueling Squadron . The unit participated in Coronet Giant , an exercise which entailed a direct flight from the United States to West Germany by 12 , A - 10 Thunderbolt II attack fighters , refueled along the way by three KC - 135 ' s from the 191st The route spanned 3600 miles , and was the largest mission of this type ever undertaken by a guard force . During Operation Desert Shield , the squadron received orders for a partial activation on 20 December 1990 . All aircraft , aircrews and a number of support personnel were dispatched to the newest forward operating base at Cairo West Airport , Egypt on 27 – 29 December 1990 . They became the basis for the 1706th Air Refueling Wing ( Provisional ) . Other unit personnel were mobilized for use as stateside " backfill " ( replacing troops sent forward ) or sent to overseas destinations . On 30 April 1999 , the 151st ARG was tasked for a Presidential Reserve Call Up due to the crisis in Kosovo . President William Clinton authorized the call up of 33 , 000 reserve personnel for up to 270 days . The 191st deployed to Europe to support Operation Allied Force . Global War on Terrorism . Following the terrorist ' s attacks on the United States the squadron was tasked to provide aerial refueling support for the countless fighter combat air patrols performed over major U . S . cities . Dubbed Operation Noble Eagle ( ONE ) , the 191st ARS flew their first ONE mission on 12 September 2001 . The highest sortie production occurred in November when fighter combat air patrols occurred every four hours over most of the major U . S . cities . In addition to supporting ONE , the 191st ARS also provided support for Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF ) , deploying aircraft and personnel to Spain to support combat air operations from late Sep 2001 until the spring of 2002 . At home , local communities see many benefits from the Utah ANG . Many opportunities exist to meet legitimate military training needs while serving the community . Activities include Sub - for - Santa , Blood Drives , highway cleanup , and the 2002 Winter Olympics . The Utah ANG also maintains a state of readiness should Utah need support during an earthquake , flood , civil disturbance , or major disaster , and was involved in assisting evacuees in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita .