Betty Rebain

The 141st Air Refueling Wing (141 ARW) is a unit of the Washington Air National Guard, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Washington. Originally established in 1956 as the 141st Fighter Group, the unit was later redesignated and transitioned to an air refueling mission in 1976, operating the KC-135 Stratotanker. Throughout its history, the 141 ARW has supported numerous operations, including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, providing aerial refueling and global mobility for U.S. and allied forces. The Wing continues to play a vital role in both state and federal missions, supporting national defense and disaster response efforts.

The 15th Air Force was originally established in 1943 during World War II as part of the United States Army Air Forces, playing a crucial role in the strategic bombing campaign in Southern and Eastern Europe. After the war, it was reactivated and eventually became an integral component of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War. Under SAC, the 15th Air Force managed and coordinated numerous bomber and tanker wings, providing nuclear deterrence and global strike capabilities. Throughout its tenure with SAC, the 15th Air Force contributed significantly to U.S. strategic readiness until SAC's inactivation in 1992, when the unit was realigned under Air Mobility Command.