A KC-135R Stratotanker leaves her home with the New York Air National Guard?s 107th Air Refueling Wing in Niagara Falls for a new home with the 126th Air Refueling Wingof the Illinois Air National Guard,on Jan. 23. The aircraft served with the 107th ARW for 14 years. The departure begins a series of farewells the Guardsmen of the 107th will give to their aircraft as they convert to an airlift wing.
Members of the unit have already begun retraining on C-130 aircraft.
Under the reorganization plan the 197th will jointly operate 12 C-130 aircraft in conjunction with the Air Force Reserve?s 914th Airlift Wing. Both units share the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.