The 11th Air Refueling Squadron was activated in late 1955 at Abilene Air Force Base, which later became Dyess AFB. Upon activation it was a part of the 341st Bomb Wing which was equipped with B-47's. The initial  group of experienced  Aircraft Commanders, came to the 11th  from non-flying desk jobs. Co-pilots and Navigators , for the most part, were new 2/lt's right out of flight training. Flight Engineers, highly experienced, came from B-50 and B-36's units. The Boom Operators were experienced also.

   Three  experienced SAC KC97 crews were sent in to conduct the check out program. They brought in three new Aircraft from Boeing-Renton. After a vigorous and expedited checkout was completed,  they  became the KC97 Standardization Board. The 11th was the first Squadron in the 341st BW. to become combat ready.
 

                                                         " Doing our thing"
                                                     Refueling over West Texas
                                 Submited by one of the Boomers who laying down on the job.
   At Dyess, the Squadron achieved an outstanding record of performance in all large scale exercises and day to day operation, both while at Dyess and when on TDY to Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Philippines. In excess of 40,000,000 pounds of fuel were offloaded to SAC aircraft while flying over 33,000 accident free hours. While in Alaska, the 11th deployed 12 Aircraft to the Philippines to support the SAC B-52 around the world flight. The mission was flown "as Briefed" and the 11th was awarded the "Outstanding Unit Award" for its support of the B-52 flight. The 11th had highly trained maintenance personnel and flight crews that got the unit running and never slowed down.
 

 
In 1960 the squadron moved to Dover AFB, Delaware, and was considered a wing, i.e.as it had its own maintenance personnel. Dover was a MATS base and the 11th was a tenant unit. Some of the achievements while at Dover:

                    1. Set record for 333 consecutive on-time take offs--Oct '62-Jan '63
                    2. Outstanding combat evaluation--March '63
                    3. Outstanding "Short Punt"excution--March '63
                    4. Awarded SAC best KC97 unit for Jan-Mar '63
                    5. 8th AF "Heads Up" award for Jan-Mar '63
                    6. "Golden Boom" and "SACs Finest" award--Jan-June'63
                    7. Best Organizational  Maintenance unit in 8th AF--Jan-June '63
                    8. 100% on SRE -- Sept. '63
                    9. 8th AF "Heads up" award--July-Sept '63
                  10. Consecutive on time takeoffs record of 546--Jan '64
                  11. Outstanding score on ORIT--4-6 Nov. '64

   The 11th achievements will live for a lifetime in the hearts of its former members. The esprit, camaraderie, and the " Can-Do" attitude of the 11th earned the highest accolade's.  These are in the past now and we go on remembering them. . The following poem reminds us of how fortunate we are to be able to get together.

Autumn leaves, rustling together to the appointed place, the old Warriors come
Pilgrims, drifting across the land they fought to preserve.
Where they meet is not so important anymore... they meet and that's enough for now.
Greetings across a crowded lobby, hands reach out and draw buddies close, embraces
that as young men they were too uncomfortable to give, too shy to accept so lovingly.
But deep, within these Indian summer days they have reached a greater understanding
of life and love.
The shells holding their souls are weaker now, but hearts and minds grow vigorous
remembering.
On a table someone spreads out old photographs; a test of recollection.
And friendly laughter echoes at shocks of hair gray or white or merely gone.
The rugged slender bodies lost forever, yet they no longer need to prove their strength.
Some are now sustained by one of the “Medicine miracles” and even in this they manage
to find humor.
The women, all those that waited, all those that loved them, have watched the changes
take place. Now they observe and listen, and smile at each ; as glad to be together as the
men.
Talk turns to war and planes and foreign lands. Stories are told again, reweaving the
threadbare fabric of the past.
Mending one more time the banner of their youth.
They feel the vibrations, feel the shudder of metal as propellers whine and whirl, and
Planes come to life.
These bird with fractured wings can see beyond the mist of clouds, and they are in the Air
again, chasing the wind, feeling the exhilaration of flight, close to the heavens; the blue
yonder of their anthem.
Dead comrades, hearing their names spoken, wanting to share in this time, if only in spirit,
move silently among them. Their presence is felt and smiles appear beneath misty eyes.
Each in his own way, may wonder who will be absent another year.
The room grows quiet for a time, suddenly an ember flames to life. Another memory
burns.
They may talk of other wars and other men, and of futility. So this is how it goes. The past
is so much the present.
In their ceremonies, the allegiances, the speeches, and the prayers, one cannot help but
hear the deep eternal love of country they will forever share.
Finally, it is time to leave. Much too soon to set aside this little piece of yesterday, but the
past cannot be held too long for it is fragile.
They say, “Farewell... See you next year, God willing,” breathing silent prayers for one
another. Each keeping a little of the others with him forever
 

Rachel Firth

   The 11th ARS Alumni Association is trying to locate all its former members from the years 1955 to 1965. If anyone knows the whereabouts of a former member, please let us know and we will try and find him. So far, the Association has grown to 612 on the "Sqdn Roster".   A reunion is planned for September of 2001, in Abilene, Tx., where the 11th AREFS started.

 For more information, please contact one of the following:

Floyd Burks @ FTB442@aol.com
Dick Kahler @ 110005.2140@compuserve.com
Hollis Anglin  @ hcadti@delanet.com
 

 Boom Operators Assn    http://www.extender.com