Photo By Staff Sgt. Dakota Strait | U.S Air Force Airmen assigned to the 186th Air Refueling Wing gather for a redesignation ceremony at Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss., Apr. 8, 2026. The ceremony marked the transition of the 238th Air Support Operations to the 238th Contingency Response Squadron. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Justin Brown) see less
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238th Redesignated as Contingency Response Squadron, Expands Mission to Global Mobility
Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss. -- Airmen and leadership gathered for a redesignation ceremony on April 8, 2026, to mark the transition of the 238th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) to the 238th Contingency Response Squadron (CRS). Comprised of highly trained Special Warfare Airmen, including Tactical Air Control Party specialists, Air Liaison Officers, and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, the CRS is part of the larger 186th Air Refueling Wing and brings a legacy of combat-proven excellence to its new mission.
While the squadron was officially redesignated as the 238th CRS on February 7, 2026, the ceremony held at Key Field Air National Guard Base formally recognized the unit’s name change, evolving mission, and included the installation of its first commander under the new designation.
Lt. Col. Thomas Watson, 238th CRS Director of Operations, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the squadron’s history and longstanding record of achievement. During his own remarks, Col. Charles Schellbach,186th Operations Group Commander, emphasized that the unit’s redesignation reflects a shift in identity and mission, not a loss of excellence, and that the squadron’s legacy will carry forward into its new global mobility role.
“This is not a departure from excellence; it is an expansion of it,” said Schellbach. “Where you once specialized in integrating airpower at the tactical edge of ground combat, you will now be among the very first to open the door for joint force operations anywhere in the world.”
Lt. Col. Frank Monterrosa, 238th CRS Commander, concluded the ceremony by stressing the importance of embracing the future and the critical role the CRS will play moving forward.
Since its activation in 1999, the 238th has supported operations across multiple combatant commands, including deployments in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. The squadron has built a reputation for precision, lethality, and reliability while operating alongside joint and coalition forces worldwide.
Now operating as the 238th CRS, the unit’s mission is to provide an immediate response capability with rapidly deployable, multi-skilled Airmen. These teams are tasked to assess, open, and operate airbases across the full spectrum of operations, from permissive to hostile environments in support of both international and civilian missions.
The 186th Air Refueling Wing provides over 1,100 personnel and eight KC-135R aircraft to Air Mobility Command for worldwide operations. Additional units at Key Field include the 238th Contingency Response Squadron, the 248th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron, and the 186th Air Operations Group.
