The 181st AS is the wing's operational flying unit and has had the C-130H assigned since August 1986. Created as the 181st Fighter Squadron in February 1947 with P-51Ds, the unit re-equipped with the F-84B in 1950, and the F-51H the following year. The F-80C was operated in January 1955, when the unit became the 181st FIS, and conversion to the F-86D followed in August 1957 and to the F-86L in June 1959. The squadron became the 181st ARS early in 1965 when the KC-97G was assigned, and then upgraded in 1966 to KC-97L. The 136th ARG achieved Wing standard in December 1974. The unit became thhe 181st TAS in February 1978 when it re-equipped with the C-130B and subsequently the C-130H. It won Volant Rodeo, the forerunner of Airlift Rodeo, at Pope AFB in 1986. The squadron was assigned to the 1630th TAW (Provisional) at Al Ain, UAE during Desert Storm.