List of USAF Bomb Wings and Wings assigned to Strategic Air Command

List of USAF Bomb Wings and Wings assigned to the Strategic Air Command and brief information of the unit; including unit nickname, lineage, reassignments, aircraft assignments, and link to main Wikipedia articles for that unit.

Includes 2d Bomb Wing; 5th Bomb Wing; 6th Bomb Wing; 7th Bomb Wing; 9th Bomb Wing; and the 11th Wing, which was assigned to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, composed of B-52E aircraft. Consisted of 26th Bombardment Squadron, and KC-135 Stratotankers of the 91st Air Refueling Squadron.

17th Wings "Ever into Danger" See 17th Training Wing

19th Wings "On Wings We Conquer" See 19th Bomb Wing

22d Bomb Wing "We Lead" See also 22d Air Refueling Wing Established on: 28 July 1948. Activated on: 1 August 1948. At: Smoky Hill AFB, KS. Assigned to: Fifteenth Air Force. Attached to the 301st Bomb Wing from 1 August 1948 to 9 May 1949. Equipment: B-29s, F-86s. Moved to: March AFB, CA, on 10 May 1949. Changed equipment in: 1951 to B-29s. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 12th Air Division on 10 February 1951. (Attached to the 7th Air Division from 5 September to 4 December 1951 and 7 December 1953 to 5 March 1954). (Attached to the 3rd Air Division from 14 April to 5 July 1957). Changed equipment in: 1952 to B-29s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1953 to B-29s, B-47s, KC-97s. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 47th Air Division on 1 January 1962. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 47th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 July 1963. Changed equipment in: 1963 to B-47s, B-52s, EC-135s, KC-135s. Changed equipment in: 1964 to B-52s, EC-135s, KC-135s. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 47th Air Division on 31 March 1970. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 14th Strategic Aerospace Division on 31 March 1970. Changed equipment in: 1971 to B-52s, KC-135s. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 47th Air Division on 30 June 1971. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 12th Strategic Missile Division on 1 August 1972. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 12th Air Division on 1 March 1973. Redesignated on: 22nd Air Refueling Wing on 1 October 1982.

From 1 August 1948 to 9 May 1949, while based at Smoky Hill AFB, KS shared a commander in common with the 301st Bombardment Wing. The 330th Bomb Wing was attached from 27 June 1949 to 30 April 1951. The 22d Wing's headquarters was at the time non-operational and its components detached. From 10 May 1949 to 16 February 1950, after moving to March AFB, CA, shared a commander in common with the 1st Fighter Wing. Until 1 July 1949, the 22nd Wing was non-operational, attached to the 1st Fighter Wing, but on 1 July 1949 the 22nd was made operational and assumed host status, with the 1st Fighter Wing attached to it for control until 1 April 1950. The 22nd Bombardment Group was detached from 14 November 1949 to 20 February 1950, during which time the wing controlled only the attached fighters of the 1st Fighter Wing. The bomb group was detached again for combat in Korea, 4 July – c. 31 October 1950, and during this period the wing controlled no aircraft. When operational, the wing trained to maintain proficiency in global strategic bombardment, adding Air refueling to its mission in 1952. The wing deployed at Mildenhall RAF Station, England, September–December 1951, and at Upper Heyford RAF Station, England, December 1953 – March 1954. From April to July 1957, it deployed at Andersen AFB, Guam. The wing was not tactically operational 11 March – 15 September 1963, while converting to B-52 bombers and KC-135 tankers. Supported Fifteenth Air Force's post-attack command and control system (PACCS) with EC-135s, September 1964 – March 1970. The 22nd was a "super" wing, 1966–1971, with two bombardment and two tanker squadrons. From 10 March to c. 1 October 1967 the wing was reduced to a small "rear-echelon" non-tactical organization with all tactical resources and most support resources loaned to SAC organizations involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia. The wing continued to support SAC operations in the Far East and Southeast Asia through 1975, and from 10 April 1972 to 29 October 1973 again had its entire bomber resources loaned to other organizations for combat and contingency operations. KC-135 resources were also on loan from 10 April to September 1972; afterwards a few tankers returned to wing control. The wing maintained a strategic bombardment alert posture, 1973–1982, and in 1978 it assumed additional conventional warfare missions, including mine-laying and sea reconnaissance/surveillance. Lost bombardment mission in 1982 and equipped with KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft. Thereafter, provided strategic Air refueling and airlift in support of worldwide USAF and other DOD operations and training exercises. Moved personnel and cargo in support of Chadian resistance to Libyan incursions in 1983 and conducted airlift and refueling missions during rescue of US nationals in Grenada, 1983. Provided specialized refueling support to SR-71 aircraft reconnaissance operations worldwide, c. 1985–1990, and to the F-117 stealth aircraft program, c. 1987-Supported F-117 deployments to Saudi Arabia and contributed aircraft and personnel to logistics efforts in support of the liberation of Kuwait, 1990–

28th Wings "Guardian of the North" see 28th Bomb Wing

39th Bombardment Wing

40th Bomb Wing See 40th Air Expeditionary Wing

42d Bombardment Wing "The Skies For Us" Established on: 19 February 1953 Activated on: 25 February 1953. At: Limestone AFB, ME. Assigned to: Eighth Air Force. Equipment: B-36s. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 45th Air Division on 8 October 1954. (Attached to the 7th Air Division from 18 October to 18 November 1955). Changed equipment in: 1955 to B-36s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1956 to B-36s, B-52s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1957 to B-52s, KC-97s, KC-135s. Changed equipment in: 1958 to B-52s, KC-135s. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force on 18 January 1958. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force. 45th Air Division on 1 December 1958. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 45th Air Division on 31 March 1970. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 45th Air Division on 1 January 1975. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force on 25 March 1989. Redesignated on: 1 September 1991 as 42d Wing. Reassigned to: Air Combat Command, Eighth Air Force on 31 May 1992.

43d Bomb Wing "Willing, Ready, Able" See also 43d Airlift Wing Established on: 3 November 1947. &Organized on: 17 November 1947. At: Davis–Monthan AFB, AZ Assigned to: Eighth Air Force. Equipment: B-29s. Changed equipment in: 1948 to B-29s, B-50s. Changed equipment in: 1949 to B-29s, KB-29s, B-50s. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force on 1 April 1950. Changed equipment in: 1951 to KB-29s, B-50s. Reassigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 36th Air Division on 4 September 1951. (Attached to the 7th Air Division from 10 March to 5 June 1953). (Attached to the 3rd Air Division from 1 July to 1 October 1957). Changed equipment in: 1953 to KB-29s, B-50s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1954 to B-47s, B-50s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1955 to B-47s, KC-97s. Moved to: Carswell AFB, TX on 15 March 1960. Changed equipment in: 1960 to B-47s, B-58s, TB-58s, YRB-58s, KC-97s. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 19th Air Division on 15 March 1960. (Attached to the 825th Strategic Aerospace Division from 19 to 31 August 1964). Changed equipment in: 1960 to B-58s, TB-58s, TF-102s. Changed equipment in: 1963 to B-58, TB-58s. Moved to: Little Rock AFB, AR on 1 September 1964. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 825th Strategic Aerospace Division on 1 September 1964. Changed equipment in: 1964 to B-58s, TB-58s, KC-135s. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 42nd Air Division on 1 January 1970. Inactivated on: 31 January 1970. Reactivated in: 4 November 1986. At: Andersen AFB, Guam. Assigned to: Fifteenth Air Force, 3rd Air Division. Equipment: B-52s, KC-135s. Inactivated on: 30 September 1990.

Strategic bombardment training, 1947–1960, and air refueling, 1949–1960, to meet Strategic Air Command's global commitments. Wing personnel established flight records, flying two B-29s around the world in 1948 in 15 days, flying the B-50 Lucky Lady II nonstop around the world in 94 hours and 40 seconds in 1949, and setting a jet endurance record in 1954 by keeping a B-47 airborne for 47:35 hours. Converted to B-58 aircraft, the world's first supersonic bomber, in 1960. From March 1960 to July 1961 operated a combat crew training school for B-58 aircrews, and from July 1962 until late 1969 served as one of two SAC B-58 wings with a strategic bombardment mission. During the 1960s the wing established world flight speed records in the B-58. For example, in May 1961, a wing B-58 flew from New York to Paris in 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 45 seconds, establishing a new transatlantic speed record of 1,089.36 mph. During a race in 1962, a wing B-58 flew from Los Angeles to New York at an average speed of 1,214.65 mph. It flew from Los Angeles to New York and back in 4 hours, 41 minutes, and 15 seconds. The wing also controlled an air refueling squadron from August 1964 until inactivation in January 1970. It activated again in April 1970, replacing the 3960 Strategic Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam. On 1 July 1970, the 43d also assumed tasks formerly handled by the Bombardment Wing Provisional, 4133, including a combat mission. Employed attached aircraft and aircrews of other Strategic Air Command units to participate in "Arc Light" combat missions in Southeast Asia from 1 July to mid-August 1970, and again from February 1972 to August 1973. Following the end of combat operations, provided routing training and ground alert with B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, the latter provided by other Strategic Air Command units on loan. During 1975, provided logistical and medical support to thousands of Vietnamese refugees evacuated from their homeland and located temporarily at Guam awaiting resettlement in the United States. Trained to remain proficient in strategic and conventional warfare capabilities. Beginning in 1974, controlled TDY tankers and crews participating in the Pacific (formerly Andersen) Tanker Task Force that supported Strategic Air Command operations in the western Pacific. In July 1986, activated the 65 Strategic Squadron to control the TDY air refueling forces.

44th Wings "Aggressors Beware" See 44th Missile Wing

55th Wings "We See All" See 55th Wing

68th Bomb Wing "Follow Me" See 68th Air Refueling Wing Redesignated on: 16 June 1952. At: Lake Charles AFB, LA. Assigned to: Second Air Force. Equipment: B-29s. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 806th Air Division on 16 June 1952. (Attached to the 7th Air Division from 14 June to 7 August 1954). (Attached to the 7th Air Division from 27 September 1957 to 8 January 1958). Changed equipment in: 1953 to B-29s, B-47s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1954 to B-47s, KC-97s. Changed equipment in: 1958 to B-47s. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 825th Air Division on 15 June 1960 Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 822nd Air Division on 15 April 1963. Moved to: Seymour Johnson AFB, NC on 15 April 1963. Changed equipment in: 1963 to B-47s, B-52s, KC-135s. Changed equipment in: 1963 to B-52s, KC-135s. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 57th Air Division on 1 July 1964. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 822nd Air Division on 1 July 1965. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 57th Air Division on 2 September 1966. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 823rd Air Division on 2 July 1969. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 823rd Air Division on 31 March 1970. Reassigned to: Second Air Force, 42nd Air Division on 30 June 1971. Reassigned to: Eighth Air Force, 42nd Air Division on 1 January 1975. Redesignated on: 30 September 1982 as 68th Air refueling Group. Redesignated on: 1 October 1986 as 68th Air Refueling Wing.