Glen Carbon local named commander of 126th Air Refueling Wing
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Times-Tribune staff
A Glen Carbon native has been selected to lead the Illinois National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing.
Colonel Steven Olson was chosen as the next leader of the Illinois Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing located at Scott Air Force Base, according to a news release. he will be responsible for the leadership of 800 Airmen as well as maintenance of the wing’s eight KC-135R aircraft, an aerial refueling tanker.
The wing performs international air refueling and airlift operations and supports a variety of purposes. Olson expressed his gratitude for the position, saying he was humbly honored to be Wing Commander and that he did not get to that position alone.
“For my family, Sara and my three sons; Katelyn, Ryan and Kaylee, I want to thank them personally for allowing me to continue serving and supporting me,” Olson said.
Olson attended college at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and began his military career as a KC-135 Boom Operator at Fairchild Air Force Base. He graduated from the Academy of Military Science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2003. After receiving his commission, Olson attended undergraduate pilot training. His initial flying assignment was the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, 1126th Air Refueling Wing in 2205 as a KC-135E pilot.
Olson’s previous positions also include Operations Group Commander and Air Refueling Squadron Commander and Director of Training and Deputy Chief of Scheduling. He also served in wing staff positions including in plans and as the Crisis Action Team Director. He also served as commander of the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron located at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam.
Brigadier General Dan McDonough, commander of the Illinois Air National Guard said that Col. Olson was selected from several well- qualified candidates. McDonough also said that Olson played an integral part for several months before actually receiving the job.
McDonough said that the Refueling Wing is a high-speed unit and will continue to excel due to the hard work and dedication of Airmen like Olson. The 126th Air Refueling Wing has won the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award three consecutive times, making this its 10th award.
The award is designated for units that have differentiated themselves by extremely praiseworthy services or outstanding achievements that sets the unit apart from similar units.
The wing also recently won the U.S. Air Force Association’s Verne Orr Award, named in honor of former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr, which recognizes an Air Force unit that makes effective use of its human resources.
“Our 126th Air Refueling Wing Airmen set the standard for the entire Air Force,” McDonough said. “The wing has the highest KC-135 mission capable rate and was most recently awarded the 2023 Verne Orr Award.”
