55th Annual /Washington Conference

185th AIR REFUELING WING INCREASE IN AIRCRAFT

ISSUE The strategic plan seeks to ensure the 185th remains a viable unit by increasing from 8 to 12 Primary Aircraft Authorized (PAA) at the 185th Air Refueling Wing. The 185th has the available manpower, ramp space and experience to increase its tanker mission. The belief is that as Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) takes effect over the next three years, there will be additional KC-135R aircraft available for transfer to the Air National Guard. As these aircraft become available, state leadership will work with the National Guard Bureau in an effort to secure additional aircraft.

Thank you for your continued support of the Air National Guard, particularly the 185th Air Refueling Wing. The requests your continued support in keeping our organizations viable and relevant.

BACKGROUND Over the past year the 185th was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and perhaps more importantly, the Rusty Metcalf Award for being the best Air National Guard Unit that fl ies large aircraft. There are 52 units that fl y KC-135, C-17, C-130 or C-5 aircraft; and of these, the 185th, the newest unit to fl y large aircraft, was rated number one.

Additionally, the 185th is 110% manned. It has a proven track record of being able to support the mission. Many guard units are less than 100% manned. The 185th can easily recruit the necessary manpower to handle additional aircraft.

The 185th completed six major Air Force inspections over the past three years and received the highest ratings of any unit in the Air National Guard. Many areas were graded as the best the inspectors had ever seen.

The 185th, again the newest unit in the KC-135, led the way with the fi rst ever Guard deployment to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The 185th set several fuel offl oad records over the skies of Afghanistan and was highly praised for never missing a sortie due to maintenance or weather. The 185th aircraft had the highest Mission Ready status ever seen at Manas Air Base.

The 185th has also proven itself in the state mission. While supporting the Manas deployment, the 185th responded to give aid and support at Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp and deployed over 500 Airman to eastern Iowa to assist in the 2008 fl ood response. The 185th has a large aircraft parking ramp and is capable of supporting transit aircraft or becoming a staging area for a domestic response in the tri-state region.

The 185th is leading the way in the KC-135 community. Its “can do” culture combined with a good old fashioned Midwest work ethic makes the 185th ideally suited to take on additional aircraft and missions.

POINT OF CONTACT(S) Colonel Brian A. Miller, Wing Commander, 185th Air Refueling Wing, [email protected], 712.233.0502

1 55th Annual Siouxland/Washington Conference

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