MCGHEE-TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. – The 134th Air Refueling Wing here was recognized as the No. 1 of 17 tanker units flying the KC-135 in the Air National Guard, according to officials with 18th Air Force.

151st Air Refueling Squadron Boeing KC-135R-BN Stratotanker 59-1516. Image by US Air Force

“This recognition is reflective of the dedication, expertise and professionalism our Airmen bring to the mission each and every day,” said Col. Thomas Cauthen, 134th ARW commander. “The 134th’s mission has, and always will be, a team effort.”

The Knoxville-based 134th was selected among 17 ANG units across the country that provide in-flight refueling capabilities with the KC-135 Stratotanker. The recognition by 18th Air Force is part of U.S. Strategic Command’s annual Omaha Trophy recognition of top military units that provide “outstanding support to U.S. Strategic Command’s strategic deterrence, space and cyberspace missions.”

In 2017, the 134th ARW flew over 1,000 sorties totaling more than 4,700 flying hours in support of contingency and training missions. The unit also deployed more than 430 Airmen in support of Operations Freedom Sentinel and Noble Eagle. 134th Airmen also deployed personnel to Puerto Rico in support of Hurricane Maria relief efforts, and to Washington D.C. in support of the 2017 Presidential Inauguration.

The Omaha Trophy award program, which dates back to the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, was originally created by the Strategic Command Consultation committee – an advisory group comprised of business leaders in the Omaha, Nebraska, area – in 1971. At the time, a single trophy was presented annually as a token of appreciation to the command’s best wing.

“The selection process was extremely difficult due to the outstanding nominations received,” said Lt. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, 18th Air Force commander. “This honor reflects favorably on 18th Air Force and Air Mobility Command.”

The 134th Air Refueling Wing serves a two-fold mission. The Wing’s federal mission is to support rapid global mobility and sustainment by providing world class personnel, vital air refueling and airlift capabilities for contingency response and sustained combat operations. The 134th’s state mission is to provide personnel and equipment to protect life and property during emergency response operations as directed by the Governor of Tennessee and the state’s adjutant general. The 134th ARW is comprised of more than 1,100 Citizen Airmen who hail from communities throughout East Tennessee. The 134th ARW also hosts several tenant units including the 119th Command and Control Squadron, I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, Air National Guard Band of the South, and the Chattanooga-based 241st Engineering Installation Squadron. The 134th is proud of its support to the Nation and State of Tennessee, dating back to 1957, and is proud to be a unit of “Volunteers Supporting and Defending America.”