News

March 26, 2024
56 ARS Supports Combat Cardinal 2024

Aircrew from the 56th Air Refueling Squadron supported Airmen from the 375th Air Mobility Wing during a readiness exercise called “Combat Cardinal,” at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, March 13, 2024.
July 5, 2023
Commentary: Altus | ‘Fueling the Future’ at annual boom symposium

I am Master Sgt. Brendan Balko, 97th Operations Group KC-135 Stratotanker chief evaluator boom operator. Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to fly. My family has a history of service, both in and out of the military.
March 24, 2023
Mobility airpower on display during AAFB’s large force exercise

Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing conducted a large force exercise, March 24, 2023, evacuating 20 aircraft as part of a severe weather exercise at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Nov. 30, 2022
Altus | 56 ARS develops curriculum, graduates first class of pilots, boom operators

KC-46 Pegasus students originally transitioned from other air refueling tankers, but now the squadron has developed a syllabus to train students straight from basic training, undergraduate pilot training, or retrainees.
Oct. 20, 2022
'Leadership Altus' strengthens base, community partnership

More than 60 local community members toured Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and spoke with leaders from the 97th Air Mobility Wing about the importance of base partnerships, Oct. 18, 2022.
Nov. 22, 2021
Altus, Luke AFB aircrews team up for air refueling training

Task force AGILE JESTER from the 54th Air Refueling Squadron teamed up with Airmen from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and the Arizona Air National Guard to complete an air refueling training exercise, Nov. 15-19, 2021.
April 21, 2020
Altus AFB honors USAFA Class of 2020 with ‘Pegasus’ flyover

The hats of graduates were not the only things in the air above the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) during graduation week. Two KC-46 Pegasus aircraft assigned to the 56th Air Refueling Squadron and their aircrews supported the USAFA class of 2020 by executing a flyover of the Academy April 17, 2020.
March 25, 2019
97 AMW First KC-46 Air Refueling

The 56th Air Refueling Squadron conducted the first air refueling from a KC-46 Pegasus to a C-17 Globemaster III for the 97th Air Mobility Wing, March 18, 2019 over Texas. The KC-46 Pegasus is a wide body, multi-role tanker that will be able to refuel all U.S., allied and coalition military aircraft