459th Bombardment Group

459th Operations Group
459th Air Operations Group - Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker
Active	1943-1945; 1947-1951; 1955-1959
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Wing
Role	Air Refueling
Part of	Air Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQ	Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Commanders
Current commander	William Mason
Insignia
459th Air Refueling Wing emblem
Tail Code	Black/Yellow check tail stripe "Andrews" in yellow
Aircraft flown
Tanker	KC-135 Stratotanker

The 459th Air Refueling Wing (459 ARW) is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Fourth Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. If mobilized, the Wing is gained by the Air Mobility Command.

The mission of the 459th Air Refueling Wing is to recruit, train and equip its Citizen Airmen to fly and maintain the KC-135 Stratotanker to help the Air Force protect its interests in air and space power.

The wing, over the years, is a six-time recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. There are about 1,200 traditional Reservists stationed at the wing. A full-time civilian and Air Reserve Technician staff of approximately 230 personnel provide day-to-day administration and management of the 459th.

The 459th Operations Group consists of the following major units:

The 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated as a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment unit in July 1943; assigned to II Bomber Command for training. Primarily trained in Utah and Arizona received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in September 1943. Moved to Massachusetts where the group flew long-range convoy escort missions over the Newfoundland Banks to Long Island Sound, November–December 1943 while station in Italy was being constructed.

Deployed to Southern Italy in January 1944; entered combat in February, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives. Also carried out some support and interdiction operations. Struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations in August 1944 to aid the invasion of Southern France. Hit communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of British Eighth Army and American Fifth Army in northern Italy.