<p>The 127th BS is the group's operational flying unit and has had the B-1B assigned since 1994, with a C-12J support. The unit was formed in August 1941 at Wichita Municipal Airport and was mobilized two months later, until November 1945. The 127th Fighter Squadron returned to state control in September 1946 with P-51Ds. The 127th re-equipped with F-84Cs in 1950 and was redesignated a Fighter-Bomber Squadron shortly afterwards. Active duty began in October 1950 involving assignment to Chaumont AB, France before returning to reserve status in July 1952 with the F-51D. The unit moved to McConnell AFB and converted to F-80Cs in June 1954, changing designation to a Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. F-86Ls were assigned from January 1958 until April 1961, when the unit converted to F-100Cs as a Tactical Fighter Squadron. The 184th TFG was activated in October 1962, while another spell of active duty took place between January 1968 and June 1969, involving a short period at Kunsan AB, South Korea. The 127th re-equipped with the F-105D in March 1971 and became a TFTS as Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for active and reserve Thunderchief aircrew. The squadron retained the RTU role with the F-4D commencing in 1979, before switching to the F-16A in September 1987 and the F-16C in 1991. The 161st TFTS was established in March 1987, also with F-16As but was upgraded to F-16C/Ds early in 1991, while the 177th TFTS was assigned F-4Ds until 1987, when it disbanded. The F-16s gradually vacated McConnell AFB, with the B-1Bs being transferred to the 127th from the 384th Bomb Group.
