456OMS, Beale AFB, Tanker Branch

The 456th Organizational Maintenance Squadron (456 OMS) at Beale Air Force Base was a key support unit assigned to the 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing during the Cold War. The Tanker Branch of the 456 OMS was responsible for maintaining and servicing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, ensuring their readiness for air refueling missions. This support was vital to the wing’s strategic deterrence and global reach capabilities, particularly during the Vietnam War era. The professionalism and technical expertise of the 456 OMS Tanker Branch contributed significantly to the operational effectiveness of Beale AFB’s air refueling mission until the unit’s inactivation in the late 1970s.