19th Air Refueling Wing

• Origins in WWII: The 19th Air Refueling Wing traces its lineage to the 19th Bombardment Group, which was activated in 1927 and was one of the first US Army Air Corps heavy bombardment units. • Pearl Harbor Survivor: Elements of the 19th Bombardment Group were present at Clark Field in the Philippines during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, making it one of the first American units to engage in combat in WWII. • Bataan and Beyond: When the Philippines fell, many airmen from the 19th were captured and endured the Bataan Death March, while others escaped and continued fighting from Australia. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The 19th earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its heroic defense and operations in the Philippines and the Southwest Pacific in early WWII. • Transition to Air Refueling: In 1983, the wing was redesignated from a bombardment wing to the 19th Air Refueling Wing, marking its transition from bombers to aerial refueling missions. • Operation Desert Storm: The 19th ARW played a critical role in Operation Desert Storm by providing in-flight refueling for coalition aircraft, enhancing the operational range and flexibility of air assets. • Global Reach: The wing has supported operations on every continent except Antarctica, providing vital aerial refueling for both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide. • Home at Little Rock: Since 2008, the 19th ARW has been stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, where it serves as the host wing and operates the largest C-130 base in the world. • “Home of Team Little Rock”: The 19th ARW is known as the “Home of Team Little Rock,” reflecting its central role in the base's joint mobility and airlift mission. • Legacy of Excellence: The unit’s motto, “Courage and Faith,” represents its long-standing tradition of excellence and resilience, from WWII bomber operations to its current vital role in global air mobility and refueling.