HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT
Ohio National Guard Heritage Center photos
A group of pilots from the 166th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron pose for a photo circa 1960. The pilots are standing in front of a sign with the unit emblem painted on it. Additionally, two of the pilots can be seen with emblem patches sewn on their flight suits.
Ohio National Guard Heritage Center photos
Lt. Col. James A. Poston, commander of the 166th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, is shown emerging from his F-84E Thunderjet after competing in the Ricks Memorial Trophy cross-country jet race on July 2, 1955. The squadron emblem can be seen painted on the side of his jet.
Tech. Sgt. Alexandra Longfellow / U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Public Affairs
Master Sgt. Jamie Hayhurst, an instructor boom operator assigned to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, prepares for an air-to-air refueling with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons in Marrakesh, Morocco, during African Lion 2025, May 21, 2025. A modified version of the squadron emblem can be seen on the right sleeve of Hayhurst’s flight suit.
166th Air Refueling Squadron emblem dates back to World War II
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann, Ohio Army National Guard Historian
On Aug. 24, 1943, the emblem for the 166th Air Refueling Squadron was approved by the Army Air Corps for the 364th Fighter Squadron. Initially, the emblem was approved as an aircraft marking. During World War I, units were directed to paint their emblem on each side of an aircraft’s fuselage. This practice continued into World War II and became the identifying symbol of a particular unit. These emblems were often turned into patches that were worn on uniforms or painted onto flight suits and jackets.
The emblem was originally a disc that depicted a caricatured black crow firing a machine gun astride the back of a green cobra snake. At the time of approval, the squadron was equipped with the Bell P-39 Airacobra, which the emblem personifies.
Following World War II, the 364th Fighter Squadron was allotted to the Ohio National Guard and was redesignated as the 166th Fighter Squadron in 1946. The emblem was passed on to the 166th, which was stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base near Columbus, Ohio. In the 1950s, the emblem was modified to add a scroll below the disc with the unit designation. In addition to appearing on the airframes flown by the squadron, the emblem has appeared on signs, hats, uniforms and flight gear, identifying the wearer as a member of the 166th.
The most recent version of the emblem was approved when the 166th Fighter Squadron was redesignated as the 166th Air Refueling Squadron in 1993.
Current emblem for the 166th Air Refueling Squadron. This version was approved in 1993, when the 166th Fighter Squadron was redesignated as the 166th ARS to align with its new mission. The emblem originated on Aug. 24, 1943, when the Army Air Corps approved the emblem for the 364th Fighter Squadron.
The official heraldic description for the emblem is:
BLAZON: On a disc Celeste, riding upon a stylized serpent Proper, a caricatured crow Sable, beak Tenné, tongued Gules, eye, eye highlight, and details Argent, feet Or, wearing an aviator’s helmet Brün, goggle lens Gris, holding a machine gun bend sinisterwise Proper, emitting six cartridge cases in chief of the third; all within a narrow border Yellow.
Attached below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed “166TH AIR REFUELING SQ” in Yellow letters.
SIGNIFICANCE: Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The design depicts the fighter-mission historic roots of the Squadron.
OHANG
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121ST ARW
