The 117th FIS was formed at NAS Hutchinson in February 1957 from a defunct unit deactivated by the Pennsylvania ANG. Operating F-80Cs initially, the unit re-equipped with the RB-57A in April 1958 to become a Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. The 190th TRG was activated in October 1962. The unit relocated to Forbes AFB in August 1967 and changed designation to a Tactical Bombing Squadron with the B-57G, before acquiring the EB-57B and becoming the 117th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron. After 20 years of operating B-57s, the unit changed to KC-135As with the 117th becoming an Air Refueling Squadron. The Stratotankers were redesignated KC-135E following re-engining in 1984.