Tanker Tail Art

The current host unit at RAF Mildenhall is the 100th ARW (air refuelling wing)
Formed in 1992, the 100th ARW takes its name and tail art from the 100th BW (bomb wing) a world war 2 bomber unit, who flew the
B-17 Flying Fortress.
The distinctive 'square D' on the tail was used so that when huge formations of U.S bombers gathered over the the north sea on their way to bomb Germany, they would have some way to identify other aircraft from their squadron.
This also helped on the way back home, as in the chaos of the attack, units would often get split up, and could use the tail markings to reform themselves back into units, so they could support each other on the long and often dangerous journey home.

A great tribute to some very brave young men.