The 196th ARS is the group's flying unit and has operated the KC-135E since 1993. The unit was established as the 196th Fighter Squadron in November 1946 at Norton AFB with P-51Ds, before converting to the F-80C in June 1948. The 196th was mobilized in October 1950 and re-equipped with F-84Es as the 196th Fighter-Bomber Squadron before spending a period of duty in Japan. It joined the 116th FBG in October 1950. The squadron was back under state control in July 1952 with relocation to Ontario IAP, flying the F-51H. The unit was redesignated the 196th FIS in March 1954 with the F-86A, switching to the 163rd FIG in May 1958. Equipment was upgraded to F-86Ds and F-86Ls before conversion to the F-102A in 1965. The unit changed to the 196th TASS with the O-2A in March 1975 before moving to March AFB and reverting to jets, with the F-4C operated from 1983. The squadron upgraded to the F-4E early in 1987 before becoming a TRS with the RF-4C assigned in the spring of 1990.