494th Bombardment Group
Encyclopedia
The 494th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the Strategic Air Command
19th Air Division, stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base
, Texas. It was inactivated on 2 April 1966
Originally activated in 1943 as the 494th Bombardment Group as a World War II
United States Army Air Forces
combat organization. It was the last B-24 Liberator
group formed by the United States Army Air Forces
.
The highly-decorated unit served primarily in Western Pacific, taking part in numerous campaigns. It earned the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the liberation of the Philippines, hitting gun-emplacements, personnel areas, and storage depots on Corregidor
and Caballo at the entrance to Manila Bay
; bombing radio installations and power plants at Japanese bases in the Philippines; and attacking enemy-held airfields.
heavy bombardment group, activated on 1 December under II Bomber Command
at Wendover Field, Utah
. The 494th was the last of seven Heavy Bombardment Groups – 488th through 494th – activated in the autumn of 1943, as B-29 Superfortress
production was beginning in large numbers. The 494th was subsequently the last heavy bomb group formed and trained by the Army Air Forces.
The group's origins begin as the 10th Antisubmarine Squadron, then retraining as a heavy bombardment unit with B-24s at Gowen Field, Idaho
. At Gowen, the unit became identified as the 494th Bombardment Group and was moved to Wendover Field where it was joined by the 864th, 865th and 866th Bomb Squadrons; the headquarters element of the group being formed from the staff of the 10th Antisubmarine Squadron which was redesignated as the 867th Bomb Squadron.
The group trained at Wendover until April when it was converted by Second Air Force
for B-29 training; was subsequently moved to Mountain Home Army Air Field, Idaho
to complete its final phase of training. At Mountain Home, the group received new very long range B-24J aircraft in early May.
The last B-24 group was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations
(PTO), being assigned to VII Bomber Command
, initially forming at Barking Sands Army Airfield in Hawaii; flying from Idaho to Hamilton Field
, California before its overseas movement. In Hawaii, the group received additional training in long range over ocean navigation while the ground echelon of the group transported by rail to Seattle, then by troop ship to Hawaii, arriving in mid-June. The unit remained in Hawaii throughout the summer of 1944 while its B-24s were modified at Hickam Field to meet the standards required by Seventh Air Force
. Modifications were completed by 1 August, however the group was not deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) of operations until mid-September as its planned airfield on Angaur
in the Palau Islands was not yet constructed due to ongoing combat on the island.
Aircraft were deployed from Hawaii on 10 October 1944, departing for Johnson Island
, Kwajalein
and Saipan
. At Saipan, the unit was delayed a further 10 days due to combat ongoing in the Pelelieus. On Saipan, the 494th flew their first combat mission with crews of the 30th Bombardment Group, stationed on Saipan. The first elements of the 494th arrived on Angaur on 16 October, being strafed by Japanese forces still on the island as the battle of Bloody-Nose Ridge was still ongoing. As the area was finally secured in late October, additional aircraft began arriving; with the group completely established by the end of the month. The combat on the island had not allowed the construction of buildings and other support facilities, so the personnel of the group were engaged in construction activities upon their arrival.
The 494th entered combat on 3 November 1944 with attacks against Japanese airfields on Yap
and Koror
. Subsequently the group engaged in very long range strategic bombing raids on other bypassed Japanese installations in the Pacific and against the Japanese in the Philippines
. Late in 1944 the unit hit gun emplacements, personnel areas, ant storage depots on Corregidor
and Caballo
at the entrance to Manila Bay
; bombed radio installations and power plants at Japanese bases in the Philippines; and attacked enemy-held airfields, including Clark Field
on Luzon
. Early in 1945 struck airfields on Mindanao
and ammunition and supply dumps in the Davao Gulf and Illana Bay areas.
The group moved to the newly built Yontan Airfield
on Okinawa in June 1945. On Okinawa, the 373d Bombardment Squadron was assigned to the 494th from the CBI. From its new base, the group engaged primarily in very long range attacks against enemy airfields on Kyūshū
. The group also participated in incendiary raids, dropped propaganda leaflets over urban areas of Kyūshū and struck airfields in China, in southern Korea
, and around the Inland Sea of Japan
until the Japanese Capitulation in August.
After the war's end in September, the unit remained on Okinawa as older units began to demobilize. The group was engaged in transporting personnel and supplies in the Southwest Pacific, and moving necessary occupation support elements from Manila
to Tokyo. Began to demobilize in November and December, with personnel returning to the United States. the 494th was inactivated as a paper unit in the United States on 4 January 1946.
established the 4245th Strategic Wing at Sheppard AFB, Texas as part of SAC's plan to disburse its B-52 Stratofortress
heavy bombers over a larger number of bases, thus making it more difficult for the Soviet Union
to knock out the entire fleet with a surprise first strike. The wing consisted of the 717th Bombardment Squadron
, consisting of 15 B-52Ds, and the KC-135-equipped 900th Air Refueling Squadron. Half of the aircraft were maintained on fifteen minute alert, fully fueled, armed, and ready for combat. SAC Strategic Wings were considered a provisional unit by HQ, USAF and could not carry a permanent history or lineage.
In 1962, in order to retain the lineage of its MAJCOM 4-digit combat units and to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive bombardment units with illustrious World War II
records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCOM strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate historical AFCON units to replace them, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
The 4321st SW was redesignated as the 494th Bombardment Wing (494th BW) on 1 January 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's Second Air Force
, 816th Strategic Aerospace Division
. The 717th BS was also redesignated as the 864th Bombardment Squadron
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons. The 900th ARS designation was unchanged. The 494th Bomb Wing continued to conduct strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet operational commitments of Strategic Air Command
.
By 1966, Intercontinental ballistic missile
s (ICBM) had been deployed and become operational as part of the United States' strategic triad, and the need for B-52s had been reduced. In addition, funds were also needed to cover the costs of combat operations in Indochina
. The 494th Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 1 April 1966 and its aircraft were reassigned to other SAC units. As part of the inactivation, control of Shepphard AFB was turned over to Air Training Command
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
19th Air Division, stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard Air Force Base
Sheppard Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located five miles north of the central business district of Wichita Falls, in Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is the largest training base and most diversified in Air Education and Training Command...
, Texas. It was inactivated on 2 April 1966
Originally activated in 1943 as the 494th Bombardment Group as a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
combat organization. It was the last B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
group formed by the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
.
The highly-decorated unit served primarily in Western Pacific, taking part in numerous campaigns. It earned the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the liberation of the Philippines, hitting gun-emplacements, personnel areas, and storage depots on Corregidor
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
and Caballo at the entrance to Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
; bombing radio installations and power plants at Japanese bases in the Philippines; and attacking enemy-held airfields.
World War II
Established in late 1943 as a B-24 LiberatorB-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
heavy bombardment group, activated on 1 December under II Bomber Command
II Bomber Command
The II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
at Wendover Field, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. The 494th was the last of seven Heavy Bombardment Groups – 488th through 494th – activated in the autumn of 1943, as B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
production was beginning in large numbers. The 494th was subsequently the last heavy bomb group formed and trained by the Army Air Forces.
The group's origins begin as the 10th Antisubmarine Squadron, then retraining as a heavy bombardment unit with B-24s at Gowen Field, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. At Gowen, the unit became identified as the 494th Bombardment Group and was moved to Wendover Field where it was joined by the 864th, 865th and 866th Bomb Squadrons; the headquarters element of the group being formed from the staff of the 10th Antisubmarine Squadron which was redesignated as the 867th Bomb Squadron.
The group trained at Wendover until April when it was converted by Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
for B-29 training; was subsequently moved to Mountain Home Army Air Field, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
to complete its final phase of training. At Mountain Home, the group received new very long range B-24J aircraft in early May.
The last B-24 group was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
(PTO), being assigned to VII Bomber Command
VII Bomber Command
The VII Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Seventh Air Force, based on Okinawa. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-Lineage:...
, initially forming at Barking Sands Army Airfield in Hawaii; flying from Idaho to Hamilton Field
Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California before its overseas movement. In Hawaii, the group received additional training in long range over ocean navigation while the ground echelon of the group transported by rail to Seattle, then by troop ship to Hawaii, arriving in mid-June. The unit remained in Hawaii throughout the summer of 1944 while its B-24s were modified at Hickam Field to meet the standards required by Seventh Air Force
Seventh Air Force
The Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
. Modifications were completed by 1 August, however the group was not deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) of operations until mid-September as its planned airfield on Angaur
Angaur
Angaur or Ngeaur is an island in the island nation of Palau. The island, which forms its own state, has an area of 8 km² . Its population is 188 . State capital is the village of Ngeremasch on the western side...
in the Palau Islands was not yet constructed due to ongoing combat on the island.
Aircraft were deployed from Hawaii on 10 October 1944, departing for Johnson Island
Johnson Island
Johnson Island is a bar in the Greenbrier River at its confluence with Muddy Creek in Alderson, West Virginia. The island lies in Greenbrier County, with the Alderson Federal Prison Camp located to its southwest across the county line in Summers County....
, Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
and Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
. At Saipan, the unit was delayed a further 10 days due to combat ongoing in the Pelelieus. On Saipan, the 494th flew their first combat mission with crews of the 30th Bombardment Group, stationed on Saipan. The first elements of the 494th arrived on Angaur on 16 October, being strafed by Japanese forces still on the island as the battle of Bloody-Nose Ridge was still ongoing. As the area was finally secured in late October, additional aircraft began arriving; with the group completely established by the end of the month. The combat on the island had not allowed the construction of buildings and other support facilities, so the personnel of the group were engaged in construction activities upon their arrival.
The 494th entered combat on 3 November 1944 with attacks against Japanese airfields on Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
and Koror
Koror
Koror is the state comprising the main commercial centre of the Republic of Palau. It consists of several islands, the most prominent being Koror Island ....
. Subsequently the group engaged in very long range strategic bombing raids on other bypassed Japanese installations in the Pacific and against the Japanese in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Late in 1944 the unit hit gun emplacements, personnel areas, ant storage depots on Corregidor
Corregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
and Caballo
Caballo
Caballo may refer to one of the following:* "Caballo" - Spanish for a male horse.* A Spanish slang word for heroin.* Caballo Horsemarket, an online horse market and horse agency* Caballo Island * Caballo, New Mexico* Caballo Lake...
at the entrance to Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
; bombed radio installations and power plants at Japanese bases in the Philippines; and attacked enemy-held airfields, including Clark Field
Clark Air Base
Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila. Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991...
on Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
. Early in 1945 struck airfields on Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
and ammunition and supply dumps in the Davao Gulf and Illana Bay areas.
The group moved to the newly built Yontan Airfield
Yontan Airfield
Yontan Airfield is a former military airfield on Okinawa, located near the village of Sobe on the Okinawa western coast. It was closed and turned over to the Japanese government in 1972...
on Okinawa in June 1945. On Okinawa, the 373d Bombardment Squadron was assigned to the 494th from the CBI. From its new base, the group engaged primarily in very long range attacks against enemy airfields on Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. The group also participated in incendiary raids, dropped propaganda leaflets over urban areas of Kyūshū and struck airfields in China, in southern Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, and around the Inland Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
until the Japanese Capitulation in August.
After the war's end in September, the unit remained on Okinawa as older units began to demobilize. The group was engaged in transporting personnel and supplies in the Southwest Pacific, and moving necessary occupation support elements from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
to Tokyo. Began to demobilize in November and December, with personnel returning to the United States. the 494th was inactivated as a paper unit in the United States on 4 January 1946.
Strategic Air Command
On 5 January 1959, Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
established the 4245th Strategic Wing at Sheppard AFB, Texas as part of SAC's plan to disburse its B-52 Stratofortress
B-52 Stratofortress
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
heavy bombers over a larger number of bases, thus making it more difficult for the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
to knock out the entire fleet with a surprise first strike. The wing consisted of the 717th Bombardment Squadron
717th Bombardment Squadron
The 717th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4245th Strategic Wing, stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...
, consisting of 15 B-52Ds, and the KC-135-equipped 900th Air Refueling Squadron. Half of the aircraft were maintained on fifteen minute alert, fully fueled, armed, and ready for combat. SAC Strategic Wings were considered a provisional unit by HQ, USAF and could not carry a permanent history or lineage.
In 1962, in order to retain the lineage of its MAJCOM 4-digit combat units and to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive bombardment units with illustrious World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCOM strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate historical AFCON units to replace them, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
The 4321st SW was redesignated as the 494th Bombardment Wing (494th BW) on 1 January 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 816th Strategic Aerospace Division
816th Strategic Aerospace Division
The 816th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Second Air Force, being stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma...
. The 717th BS was also redesignated as the 864th Bombardment Squadron
864th Bombardment Squadron
The 864th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 494th Bombardment Wing, based at Sheppard AFB, Texas...
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons. The 900th ARS designation was unchanged. The 494th Bomb Wing continued to conduct strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet operational commitments of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
.
By 1966, Intercontinental ballistic missile
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a long range typically designed for nuclear weapons delivery...
s (ICBM) had been deployed and become operational as part of the United States' strategic triad, and the need for B-52s had been reduced. In addition, funds were also needed to cover the costs of combat operations in Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
. The 494th Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 1 April 1966 and its aircraft were reassigned to other SAC units. As part of the inactivation, control of Shepphard AFB was turned over to Air Training Command
Air Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
.
Lineage
- Constituted as 494th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 September 1943
- Activated on 1 December 1943
- Inactivated on 4 January 1946
- Established as 494th Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 15 November 1962
- Activated on 15 November 1962 to replace the 4245th Strategic Wing
- Organized on 1 February 1963 assuming the resources (Manpower, Aircraft, Equipment, Weapons, & Facilities) of the 4245th Strategic Wing (Inactivated).
- Discontinued, and activated, on 2 April 1966.
Assignments
- II Bomber CommandII Bomber CommandThe II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
, 1 December 1943 - VII Bomber CommandVII Bomber CommandThe VII Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Seventh Air Force, based on Okinawa. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-Lineage:...
, 15 June 1944 – 8 December 1945 - Army Service ForcesArmy Service ForcesThe Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...
, 2–4 January 1946 - Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air CommandThe Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, 15 November 1962 - 816th Strategic Aerospace Division816th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 816th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Second Air Force, being stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma...
, 1 February 1963
- 4th Air Division, 1 July 1963
- 816th Strategic Aerospace Division816th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 816th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Second Air Force, being stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma...
, 1 July 1964 - 819th Strategic Aerospace Division819th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 819th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Second Air Force, being stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas...
, 1 July 1965 - 19th Air Division, 1 October 1965 – 2 April 1966
Components
- 373d Bombardment Squadron, 21 July – 15 December 1945
- 864th Bombardment Squadron864th Bombardment SquadronThe 864th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 494th Bombardment Wing, based at Sheppard AFB, Texas...
, 1 December 1943 – 4 January 1946; 1 February 1963 – 2 April 1966 - 865th Bombardment Squadron, 1 December 1943 – 4 January 1946
- 866th Bombardment Squadron, 1 December 1943 – 4 January 1946
- 867th Bombardment Squadron867th Bombardment SquadronThe 867th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 494th Bombardment Group, based at Fort Lawton. Washington. It was inactivated on 4 January 1946.-History:...
, 1 December 1943 – 4 January 1946 - 900th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 February 1963 – 2 April 1966.
Stations
- Wendover Field, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, 1 December 1943 – 15 April 1944 - Mountain Home Army Air Field, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, 15 April 1944 – 2 June 1944 - Barking Sands Army Airfield, Hawaii Territory, 15 June 1944 – 30 September 1944
- Angaur AirstripAngaur AirstripAngaur Airstrip is a small airstrip on Angaur, one of the islands of Palau. It also served as an airfield during World War II.-History:The day the island was declared secured on September 20, 1944, construction of the airstrip began. American forces built a 7000' x 150' coral strip later surfaced...
, AngaurAngaurAngaur or Ngeaur is an island in the island nation of Palau. The island, which forms its own state, has an area of 8 km² . Its population is 188 . State capital is the village of Ngeremasch on the western side...
, Palau Islands, 30 September 1944 – 24 June 1945
- Yontan AirfieldYontan AirfieldYontan Airfield is a former military airfield on Okinawa, located near the village of Sobe on the Okinawa western coast. It was closed and turned over to the Japanese government in 1972...
, Okinawa, 24 June 1945 – 8 December 1945 - Fort LawtonFort LawtonFort Lawton is a United States Army fort located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The fort was included in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list.-History:...
, Washington, 2–4 January 1946 - Sheppard AFB, Texas, 15 November 1963 – 1 April 1966
Aircraft flown
- B-24 Liberator 1943–1946
- B-52 Stratofortress 1963–1966
- KC-135 Stratotanker 1963–1966