Tanker toads complete squadron first

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  "There's a first time for everything!"

This is a statement that rings true from people thorough their lives and careers. For the 96th Air Refueling Squadron, there have been and will continue to be first time events.
A recent mission to Kadena Air Base, Japan, to refuel a squadron of Marine F/A-18 Prowlers from Iwakuni Air Base, Japan, wasn't the first time the pilots and boom operators have passed gas to aircraft while flying, but was the first operational mission off station for the newly re-formed squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Maj. Jeff Paget, 96th Air Refueling Squadron director of operations, served as the senior pilot and instructor on the mission to make sure the newest pilots in the squadron get the theater orientation required to enhance their knowledge of Pacific air operations. Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, 96th ARS boom operator, passed 86,900 pounds of fuel during the flight.

"It was definitely an honor and privilege on this momentous occasion because we are such a young squadron," he said. "We are out accomplishing big things much sooner than we were expected to."

The 15th Wing re-activated the 96th ARS as a Total Force Integration active partnership with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 203rd ARS, July 23, 2010. Still in the building stages with only half of its members assigned, operational missions are becoming more and more frequent to get the aircrews trained.

"We are set to achieve Initial Operating Capability status on March 1and sorties like this one provide squadron members with valuable training and knowledge of mission execution," Major Paget said.

The 96th ARS calls the largest area of responsibility in the world home, the Pacific Rim. PACAF's area of responsibility extends from the west coast of the United States to the east coast of Africa and from the Arctic to the Antarctic, more than 100 million square miles. The area is home to nearly two billion people who live in 44 countries. PACAF maintains a forward presence to help ensure stability in the region.

"To be part of the first operational mission for the 96th was a great honor," said Capt. Jeremy Buxton, 96th ARS pilot.

As the newly activated squadron makes history, they carry a storied squadron lineage spanning multiple aircraft throughout multiple theaters of war since 1940. The unit has been involved in campaigns around the world including World War II, Pacific Anti-submarine, American Theater, Air Offensive over Japan, Eastern Mandates, Western Pacific, Ryukyus and the China Offensive.