Activated in August 1948 as the 22nd Bombardment Wing at Smokey Hill AFB, KS, the unit moved to March AFB nine months later. The B-47 and B-52 were employed for more than three decades, with the KC-135A assigned from 1963 and the KC-10 subsequently. The unit retired the last of its B-52Ds in 1983, becoming an Air Refueling Wing at the same time. The KC-135s were transferred to other SAC wings in 1989, with the final example departing during December. The unit was redesignated 22nd Wing in October 1991. This change was only a temporary measure as the unit reverted to an Air Refueling Wing shortly afterwards. After 45 years at March AFB, the 22nd ARW moved to McConnell AFB on 1 January 1994 as the second of three 'tanker hubs'.