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Supporting NATO

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Gary Enochs Jr.
  • 126th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Airmen and aircraft from the 126th Air Refueling Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard recently completed a two-week rotation to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

While deployed, the 126 ARW, in a total force initiative with personnel of the Mighty 906th Air Refueling Squadron, provided air refueling to the NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft.

The E-3A provides airborne surveillance, command, control and communications wherever and whenever directed by the NATO Airborne Early Warning Force Commander on behalf of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

During their deployment, the men and women of the 126 ARW and 906 ARS flew 12 sorties and offloaded 379,500 lbs. of fuel. KC-135 Stratotankers assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard have been providing air refueling support to the E-3A component since January1993.