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Maine Air National Guard – 101st Air Refueling Wing

Maine Air National Guard – 101st Air Refueling Wing poster art.

The Maine Air National Guard base in Bangor is home to the 101st Air Refueling Wing (101 ARW), affectionately known as the ‘ MAINEiacs’. The 101st ARW is one of the most highly respected units in the US Air Force and is a shining example to all military aviators. 

The 101 ARW is located at the Bangor International Airport with additional geographically separated units in South Portland and in Augusta. The 101st ARW‘s principal mission is air refueling and provides 24 hour air and ground refueling for many aircraft whose destination takes them across the Atlantic.  The wing enhances the Air Force’s capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Naval and Marine aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations. The wing is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. The Wing also supports the State of Maine by assisting in the protection of life and property, maintaining peace and order, and providing civil defense capabilities.

Bangor Air National Guard Base: Created in 1927 as the commercial Godfrey Field, the airfield was taken over by the U.S. Army just before World War II and renamed Godfrey Army Airfield and later Dow Army Airfield. It became Dow Air Force Base in 1947, when the new U.S. Air Force took over many Army air assets. In 1968, the base was sold to the city of Bangor, Maine, to become Bangor International Airport but has since continued to host Maine Air National Guard units.