407th Air Refueling Squadron

407th Air Refueling Squadron
KC-135 Stratotanker of the 42d Bombardment Wing[a]
Active	1942–1946; 1953–1961; 1962–1990
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	heavy bomber, air refueling
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
407th Air Refueling Squadron emblem[b]
407th Bombardment Squadron emblem[c][1]
World War II fuselage code[2]	PY

The 407th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 42nd Bombardment Wing at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, where it was inactivated on 1 October 1990.

The first predecessor of the squadron was activated as the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron in March 1942. It was redesignated the 407th Bombardment Squadron the following month. After participating in the antisubmarine campaign while training, it moved to the United Kingdom in August 1942, where it became a training unit for heavy bombers. From May 1943, it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions. After V-E Day, it moved to France, performing airlift missions until it was inactivated in 1946.

The squadron's second predecessor, the 407th Air Refueling Squadron, was activated in 1953 and supported Strategic Air Command's (SAC) fighters until they were transferred to Tactical Air Command, then primarily SAC bomber units until inactivating in 1961. It was activated again in 1962 with jet tankers. The squadron deployed aircrews and aircraft to support the war in Southeast Asia from the late 1960s until 1975. The two units were consolidated in 1985.

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