additionally, the air national guard also took on an air refueling mission. the air national guard received its first kc-97 stratofreighter aerial tankers in july and august 1961. during that period, the 108th fighter-interceptor squadron in illinois, the 126th fighter-interceptor squadron in wisconsin, and the 145th air transport squadron in ohio, converted to kc-97fs and were redesignated air refueling squadrons.