USAF Patch Air Refueling USAFE c 351 ARS AREF Squadron European Tanker Operations a

USAF Patch Air Refueling USAFE 351 ARS European Tanker Operations Red RAF Mildenhall 1990s Helmet facing left KC 135 Embroidered on twill merrowed cut edge 101mm by 101mm four inches by four inches.

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Squadron History

Following service as a bombardment squadron and inactivation on 25 June 1966 the squadron was reactivated as 351 Air Refueling Squadron on 31 March 1992 at RAF Mildenhall England under 100 Air Refueling Wing equipped with KC 135 Stratotanker aircraft receiving its full complement of nine aircraft in September 1992. 351 ARS operated as part of the European Tanker Task Force ETTF and undertook operations at forward operating locations Zaragoza AB Spain ZAB Riyadh AB Saudi Arabia Keflavik AB Iceland Hellenikon AB Greece Lajes Field Azores and Sigonella NAS Italy in conjuction with rotating TDY air refuelling units from the US. Since 1 October 1994 when Squadron components are deploy to support Air Expeditionary operations they are designated 351 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. 

100 ARW increased 351 ARSs permanent KC 135 force from nine to fifteen aircraft in September 1998 which enabled the Wing to undertake all ETTF duties without the need for TDY assets from US based units and the ETTF mission was ended on 28 November 1998 with all air refuelling missions in support of US and for North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO operations in Europe West Asia and Africa undertaken by 351 ARS including operations over the Balkans Operations Noble Anvil Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.  

In 2011 351 ARS deployed a portion of its KC 135 Stratotanker fleet to Istres Le Tubé Air Base as 351 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of Operation Unified Protector Libya. On 27 January 2013 Squadron tankers deployed to Moron AB Spain as 351 EARS to provide refuelling for French Air Force fighters operating over Mali in support of French Army ground operations with over 200 missions carried out by 15 May 2013. 351 EARS has deployed for Operations Inherent Resolve against ISIS operations in Africa for AFRICOM. 

351 ARS aviators arriving at RAF Mildenhall undergo mission certification training to orient them to squadron operations and on completion are certified to conduct missions without an instructor and are ceremoniously issued with the Box D patch the tail insignia used by 351 Bombardment Squadron during WWII.

This patch dates from the 1990s.