197th Air Refueling Squadron's KC-135 Pilot Hiring Board

The 161st ARW is accepting applications for our next hiring board in December 2026. Please read the attached notebook and ensure you are able meet all requirements. 

The Wing convenes a selection board annually and will normally select two primary candidates and two alternates. Selection as an alternate does not guarantee future selection for a training slot. If you are not selected as a primary candidate, you will have to compete with all other applicants again on future selection boards. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to pilots in the Operations Group.

Applications are due no later than November 6th, 2026, applications details are found in the attached document. If you plan to "rush" the unit, please attend both September and November drill weekends. The September Drill weekend is the 11th -13th and November drill is the 6th-8th.  This will allow you to become comfortable with the Copperheads and see if it is a fit for you. With a week of coordination, most weekdays will work, however drill events are best. Utilize the hiring gmail to coordinate. 

A meet and greet will be on the Friday and Saturday of both drill weekends at the 161 ARW Operations Building. Please show by 0700 each day to be escorted onto base. If you need an escort for base access please send an email to 161arwpilothiring@gmail.com. There will be an after hours social gathering Friday, Sept 11th and again, Saturday Nov 7th in the local area--destination to be determined. Applicants are encouraged to attend both events. Limited space is available, email 161arwpilothiring@gmail.com as soon a your application is done to get on the list. 

The 161st Air Refueling Wing is located on the south side of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 3200 E Old Tower Road, Phoenix AZ 85034. 

Our primary mission is in-flight refueling. The unit is comprised of one flying squadron, the 197th ARS flying the KC-135R aircraft. The unit employs about 900 Traditional Guardsmen and about 300 full-time personnel. We routinely fly 2-4 local sorties daily and 1-2 aircraft are deployed stateside or overseas at any given time. In peacetime the 161st ARW is assigned to the State of Arizona serving the Governor as our Commander in Chief. If the unit is federally activated for any reason, our Commander in Chief is the President of the United States. If selected for a pilot position, your obligation to the Air National Guard will be 10 years of service upon completion of training. You will be required to fly at least 4 sorties per month, attend 1 drill weekend each month and be available for off base deployments each quarter. 

The 161st ARW is accepting applications for our next hiring board in January 2025. Please read the attached notebook and ensure you are able meet all requirements. 

The Wing convenes a selection board once each year and will normally select two primary candidates and possibly alternates. Selection as an alternate does not guarantee future selection for a training slot. If you are not selected as a primary candidate, you will have to compete with all other applicants again on future selection boards. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to pilots in the Operations Group.

If you plan to "rush" the unit, please come before the October 6 deadline. This will allow you to become comfortable with the Copperheads and see if it is a fit for you. With a week of coordination, most dates will work, however drill events are best. The drill dates are 14-15 Sep or 5-6 Oct.

A UPT meet and greet will be on Saturday October 5, 2024 at the 161 ARW Operations Building. Please show at 0630 on October 5th. If you need a escort to get on base please send an email to 161arwpilothiring@gmail.com. There will be a social gathering that night in the local area--destination to be determined. Applicants are encouraged to attend both events. Limited space is available, so email 161arwpilothiring@gmail.com as soon a your application is done to get on the list. The 161st Air Refueling Wing is located on the south side of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 3200 E Old Tower Road, Phoenix AZ 85034. 

Our primary mission is in-flight refueling. The unit is comprised of one flying squadron, the 197th ARS flying the KC-135R aircraft. The unit employs about 900 Traditional Guardsmen and about 300 full-time personnel. We routinely fly 2-4 local sorties daily and 1-2 aircraft are deployed stateside or overseas at any given time. In peacetime the 161st ARW is assigned to the State of Arizona serving the Governor as our Commander in Chief. If the unit is federally activated for any reason, our Commander in Chief is the President of the United States If selected for a pilot position, your obligation to the Air National Guard will be 10 years of service upon completion of training. You will be required to fly at least 4 sorties per month, attend 1 drill weekend each month and be available for off base deployments each quarter.