54 Air Refueling Squadron

580-481-7313

58 Airlift Squadron

580-481-6482

97 Air Mobility Wing

580-481-5097/6097/7097

The 97th Air Mobility Wing was established in 1947 as a very heavy bombardment wing, the 97th Bombardment Wing, as part of a new command structure, placing the wing headquarters commander in charge of base operations, today an ordinary arrangement. It was originally a temporary unit, named for a component unit, the 97th Bombardment Group. The 97th Bombardment Wing was permanently established in 1948, as the US geared for a new threat from the Soviet Bloc, and assigned support groups for its mission: training for a variety of worldwide missions, mainly bombardment missions. Initially assigned to the Alaskan frontier, with an expectation that missions over the Arctic Circle into the Soviet Union would be required. Over the next four decades the 97th Wing stood ready, on active alert and generally flying ready missions for rapid response, from various bases on rotation. The 97th was on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and deployed for missions through the Vietnam War: a 97th bomber was the last to fly a bombardment mission in southeast Asia. The 97th also flew missions to Kuwait and Iraq as part of DESERT STORM, with over 60 sorties in the operation. In the early 1990s, at the end of the Cold War, the 97th was renamed the 97th Air Mobility Wing and reassigned to Altus Air Force Base, where it has remained, part of the strategic defense force.

97 Aircraft Division (AMW/MXA

580-481-7895

97 Civil Engineering Squadron

580-481-6530

97 Communications Squadron

580-481-7544

97 Contracting Squadron

580-481-7320

97 Force Support Squadron

580-481-7731

97 Logistics Readiness Squadron

580-481-7347

97 Maintenance Directorate (AMW/MX)

580-481-6438

97 Maintenance Division (AMW/MXM)

580-481-6036

97 Maintenance Operations Division (AMW/MXO)

580-481-7015

97 Medical Group

580-481-5203

97 Medical Operations Squadron

580-481-5293

97 Medical Support Squadron

580-481-5204

97 Mission Support Group

580-481-6410

97 Operations Group

580-481-7173

The 97th Operational Group predates the Air Mobility Wing, having been established in 1942 as the 97th Bombardment Group, one of the earliest available B-17 groups in World War II. The 97th BG first flew antisubmarine patrols out of Florida, and was soon deployed, flying B-17s out of England and into German-occupied France, the Germany itself, Italy and eventually Eastern Europe from new bases in North Africa. These missions earned the 97th its first DUC. The 97th also briefly flew out of Russia during Operation Frantic, a joint operation between Allied partners, with USAAF units supporting the Soviet Union, who lacked heavy airpower - this operation was a success for the 97th, which earned a second DUC for missions against enemy oil assets, but did not lead to further joint operations with the USSR, due to Allied friction. During Operation Friction a member of the 97th BG earned a Medal of Honor. 2nd Lieutenant David R. Kingsley demonstrated gallantry above and beyond the call of duty, during an attack against German forces in Romania. During the mission the B-17 took heavy damage, nevertheless dropped bombs on target, and was forced to lag behind. The bomber was again attacked and took further damage, requiring bailout. 2nd Lt. Kingsley, the bombardier, saved the life of a wounded airman by issuing the airman his own parachute, the airman's parachute having been damaged or lost in action, an act which cost 2nd Lt. Kingsley his own life. The 97th BG was combined with other squadrons and the 519th Air Support Group in 1947 to form the new 97th Bombardment Wing, the unit preceding the modern 97th Air Mobility Wing. The 97th BW participated in many Cold War crises, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, and stood ready to launch on reflex for decades. After the end of the Cold War the 97th BW was inactivated and reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing as part of the general Air Force reorganization.

97 Operations Support Squadron

580-481-7240

97 Security Forces Squadron

580-481-6610

97 Training Squadron (97TRS)

580-481-7178