General Mitchell Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin
Forbes Field Air National Guard Base, located in Topeka, Kansas, is a significant installation for the Kansas Air National Guard.1 It is primarily home to the 190th Air Refueling Wing (190 ARW), a key unit that plays a crucial role in extending the global reach of the United States Air Force and its allies.2 The 190 ARW operates KC-135R Stratotankers, providing vital in-flight refueling services that enable bombers, fighters, and other aircraft to conduct sustained operations around the world.3 The base’s strategic location in the heartland of the U.S. makes it well-suited for supporting both domestic and international missions, contributing to national defense and emergency response capabilities.
The 190th Air Refueling Wing has a long and varied history, tracing its lineage through tactical reconnaissance and bombardment roles before transitioning to its current air refueling mission in 1978. Over the decades, the unit has consistently demonstrated its readiness and professionalism, participating in numerous operations and exercises globally. As the Air Force continues to modernize its tanker fleet, Forbes Field has been considered a strong contender for future basing of the new KC-46A Pegasus tankers, which would ensure the base’s continued importance in the aerial refueling enterprise for years to come.
