171st Air Refueling Wing

The 171st Air Refueling Wing (ARW), based at Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Established in 1961, the wing originally flew fighter aircraft before transitioning to air refueling operations. Over the decades, the 171st ARW has operated various tanker aircraft, including the KC-135 Stratotanker, providing critical aerial refueling support to both U.S. and allied air forces worldwide. The wing has played a significant role in numerous operations, such as Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, demonstrating its enduring commitment to global mobility and airpower projection.