507th Air Refueling Wing

Colonel Gregory L. Ferguson, 137th Air Refueling Wing commander and Col. Jeffery R. Glass, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander look over the floor plan design for a new joint use squadron operations building to be used by both wings. Both were attending a groundbreaking ceremony on Tinker Air Force Base yesterday for new $8 million facility. The 137th ARW, and Oklahoma Air National Guard wing, and the 507th ARW, an Air Force Reserve Command wing began joint associate unit operations last January. This represents the first time an ANG wing has been associated with an AFRC wing.

Tinker home to true 'total force integration'

Published Sept. 18, 2008
By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
507th ARW Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- A major step in Total Force Integration took place at Tinker Air Force Base during a ground breaking ceremony for a new joint squadron operations facility.

When complete in December of 2009, the 25,000 square foot joint-use facility will cost more than $8 million will house joint operational offices for air refueling wings from both the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.

A result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process directed the former 137th Airlift Wing to convert to a KC-135R Stratotanker operations and begin associate unit partnering with the 507th Air Refueling Wing.

Under this associate operations, the 507th Air Refueling Wing is the host wing with all 12 aircraft assigned owned by the Air Force Reserve Command. The Oklahoma ANG is jointly helping to maintain and conduct refueling operations. As joint operations began last January the 507th ARW becomes the first AFRC wing to have an ANG wing associated with it.

The 507th's 465th Air Refueling Squadron had already been projected to receive funding for a new squadron operations facility for years. When the decision was reached to establish joint operations, authorization was received to begin the work to establish new construction to house the Air National Guard operations.

Air Force officials here struck out to receive authorization for a larger, combined facility versus two separate buildings. The joint use facility includes briefing rooms, training and testing areas, locker and shower area, and a joint life support section and joint auditorium.

"By combining funding sources and combining mutual joint use aspects such as the joint use auditorium we are able to get a facility that will better satisfy the operational needs for both squadrons," said Joe Wade, 507th ARW facility program manager, 507th Civil Engineer Squadron.

"We are all happy this day has finally come," said 507th Air Refueling Wing Commander Col. Jeffery R. Glass during the groundbreaking event. "With this groundbreaking today we are taking one more step towards an exciting new level of joint operations."