in 1982, the wing retired its b-52d aircraft and converted from a bombardment wing (bmw) to an air refueling wing (arw). it was the first usaf unit to operate the new kc-10a along with kc-135a and kc-135e aircraft. from 1982, the wing provided strategic air refueling and airlift in support of worldwide u.s. air force and other department of defense operations and training exercises. in 1983, the wing moved personnel and cargo in support of chadian resistance to libyan incursions and conducted airlift and refueling missions during rescue of u.s. nationals in grenada. the wing also provided specialized refueling support to sr-71 aircraft reconnaissance operations using boeing kc-135q and (after the cfm-56 conversion) kc-135t aircraft with specialized fuel systems designed to handle the jp-7 fuel, worldwide from 1985 to 1990.