72d Air Base Wing
Encyclopedia
The 72d Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force
unit assigned to the Air Force Materiel Command
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
(OC-ALC). It is stationed at Tinker Air Force Base
, Oklahoma
. The wing is also the host unit at Tinker.
The diverse, multi-unit, multi-mission wing includes base services and support for the OC-ALC and associate organizations as well as dependents and retirees.
Established in 1941, the 72d is a successor unit to the World War II
72d Reconnaissance Group (Special) combat organization that had earned Antisubmarine and American Theater campaign streamers. The 72d Bombardment Wing, Heavy was a component wing of Strategic Air Command
's heavy bomber deterrent force throughout the Cold War
. The wing earned two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, flying RB-36, B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, before its inactivation on 30 June 1971 in Puerto Rico.
Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Eric A. Harmon.
as the 72d Observation Group; assigned to Third Air Force
and stationed at Shreveport Airport, Louisiana with light observation and courier aircraft. Flew observation missions over Fort Polk
and Army Maneuvers in Louisiana during 1941. Later assigned to Fort Riley
, Kansas
and supported Army maneuvers.
Reassigned to the Panama Canal Zone
in January 1942 as part of the defense force of the Panama Canal
; assigned to the new Sixth Air Force. In the Panama Canal Zone, the group flew antisubmarine patrol missions, carried mail, searched for missing aircraft, provided reconnaissance support to ground forces, and occasionally did photographic mapping work until late 1943 when inactivated. Activated again as part of the reserve forces of Fourth Air Force
in 1947. The organization participated in routine reserve training. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.
Activated in June 1952 as a Strategic Air Command
very long range reconnaissance squadron at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico
, but not operational until it absorbed residual resources of 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in October 1952 when the 55th was reassgigned to the newly activated Forbes AFB, Kansas
administratively. Redesignated as 72d Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and received 3 (60th, 73rd and 301st) squadrons of RB-36D/E/F/H Peacemaker bombers. Conducted global strategic reconnaissance 1953–1955, gradually shifting to a bombardment training mission beginning in 1954, being upgraded to B-36J and B-36J(III) Featherweights by 1955. Redesignated 72d Bombardment Wing and received a squadron of KC-135A tankers in 1958.
With the phaseout of the B-36s in 1958, received B-52G Stratofortess intercontinental strategic bombers. Stood nuclear alert between 1959–1971 with the B-52G, was equipped with the AGM-28 Hound Dog
cruise missile. Inactivated in 1971 due to a reduction of the number of B-52 wings, as ICBMs were taking over the nuclear alert duty. The wing earned two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, flying RB–36 [1952–1958], KC–135 [1958–1971] and B–52 [1959–1971] aircraft, before its inactivation.
Reactivated in 1972 at Andersen AFB, Guam
, as a provisional combat wing due to Andersen going back on alert due to the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive and the commencement of Operation Linebacker I and later Linebacker II in December 1972 Received 100 B-52G aircraft assigned to 4 combat squadrons. Wing's aircraft flew over 8,000 sorties over Indochina
during 1972, ending combat operations on 15 August 1973 with the wing flying the last B-52 raid over Cambodia
. Inactivated in November 1973 after combat operations ended over Indochina.
Reactivated as a base host wing under Air Mobility Command
in 1994. Provides services and support for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
and its tenant organizations.
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 assigned to the Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center performs sustainment and depot maintenance on a number of US Air Force weapon systems. Specifically it supports B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker, and E-3 Sentry systems. Additionally, the center is responsible for aircraft...
(OC-ALC). It is stationed at Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base
Tinker Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force base, with tenant U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense missions, located in the southeast Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area, directly south of the suburb of Midwest City, Oklahoma.-Overview:...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. The wing is also the host unit at Tinker.
The diverse, multi-unit, multi-mission wing includes base services and support for the OC-ALC and associate organizations as well as dependents and retirees.
Established in 1941, the 72d is a successor unit to the 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...
72d Reconnaissance Group (Special) combat organization that had earned Antisubmarine and American Theater campaign streamers. The 72d Bombardment Wing, Heavy was a component wing 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...
's heavy bomber deterrent force throughout the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. The wing earned two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, flying RB-36, B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, before its inactivation on 30 June 1971 in Puerto Rico.
Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Eric A. Harmon.
Components
Units of the 72d ABW are:- 72d Medical Group (MDG)
- 72d Mission Support Group (MSG)
- 72d Operations Support Squadron
Heraldry
Emblem: : Quarterly; first Azure a seme' of seven mullets Argent, second and third Or eleven lines radiant from honor point throughout Azure, fourth Azure two mullets in bend sinister Argent, overall a globe gridlines, surmounted by a stylized compass star Celeste outlined and detailed Blue; all within a diminished bordure Or. Approved on 29 June 1954; modified on 13 October 1995.History
Activated during the summer-fall 1941 maneuvers in LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
as the 72d Observation Group; assigned to Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
and stationed at Shreveport Airport, Louisiana with light observation and courier aircraft. Flew observation missions over Fort Polk
Fort Polk
Fort Polk is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, approximately 7 miles east of Leesville, Louisiana and 20 miles north of DeRidder, Louisiana....
and Army Maneuvers in Louisiana during 1941. Later assigned to Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
and supported Army maneuvers.
Reassigned to the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
in January 1942 as part of the defense force of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
; assigned to the new Sixth Air Force. In the Panama Canal Zone, the group flew antisubmarine patrol missions, carried mail, searched for missing aircraft, provided reconnaissance support to ground forces, and occasionally did photographic mapping work until late 1943 when inactivated. Activated again as part of the reserve forces of Fourth Air Force
Fourth Air Force
The Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
in 1947. The organization participated in routine reserve training. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.
Activated in June 1952 as a 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...
very long range reconnaissance squadron at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, but not operational until it absorbed residual resources of 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in October 1952 when the 55th was reassgigned to the newly activated Forbes AFB, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
administratively. Redesignated as 72d Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and received 3 (60th, 73rd and 301st) squadrons of RB-36D/E/F/H Peacemaker bombers. Conducted global strategic reconnaissance 1953–1955, gradually shifting to a bombardment training mission beginning in 1954, being upgraded to B-36J and B-36J(III) Featherweights by 1955. Redesignated 72d Bombardment Wing and received a squadron of KC-135A tankers in 1958.
With the phaseout of the B-36s in 1958, received B-52G Stratofortess intercontinental strategic bombers. Stood nuclear alert between 1959–1971 with the B-52G, was equipped with the AGM-28 Hound Dog
AGM-28 Hound Dog
The North American Aviation Corporation AGM-28 Hound Dog was a supersonic, jet propelled, air-launched cruise missile. The Hound Dog missile was first given the designation B-77, then redesignated the GAM-77, and finally designated the AGM-28, permanently...
cruise missile. Inactivated in 1971 due to a reduction of the number of B-52 wings, as ICBMs were taking over the nuclear alert duty. The wing earned two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, flying RB–36 [1952–1958], KC–135 [1958–1971] and B–52 [1959–1971] aircraft, before its inactivation.
Reactivated in 1972 at Andersen AFB, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, as a provisional combat wing due to Andersen going back on alert due to the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive and the commencement of Operation Linebacker I and later Linebacker II in December 1972 Received 100 B-52G aircraft assigned to 4 combat squadrons. Wing's aircraft flew over 8,000 sorties over 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...
during 1972, ending combat operations on 15 August 1973 with the wing flying the last B-52 raid over Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. Inactivated in November 1973 after combat operations ended over Indochina.
Reactivated as a base host wing under Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
in 1994. Provides services and support for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center
The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center performs sustainment and depot maintenance on a number of US Air Force weapon systems. Specifically it supports B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker, and E-3 Sentry systems. Additionally, the center is responsible for aircraft...
and its tenant organizations.
Lineage
- Established as 72d Observation Group on 21 August 1941
- Activated on 26 September 1941
- Redesignated 72d Reconnaissance Group (Special) on 25 June 1943
- Disestablished on 1 November 1943
- Reestablished as 72d Reconnaissance Group on 13 May 1947
- Activated in the Reserve on 12 June 1947
- Inactivated on 27 June 1949
- Consolidated (31 January 1984) with the 72d Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Heavy, which was established on 4 June 1952.
- Activated on 16 June 1952
- Redesignated 72d Bombardment Wing, Heavy, on 1 October 1955
- Inactivated on 30 June 1971
- Activated as: 72d Strategic Wing (Provisional) on 1 June 1972 and placed in provisional status.
- Discontinued on: 15 November 1973.
- Redesignated 72d Air Base Wing on 16 September 1994 and returned to regular status.
- Activated on 1 October 1994
Assignments
- 2nd Air Service Command, 26 September 1941
- Service Command, Caribbean Air Force (later, 6th Air Force Base Command; VI Air Force Base Command; VI Air Force Service Command), January 1942
- VI Air Force Ground Support Command, 15 October 1942
- VI Air Force Service Command, 21 August – 1 November 1943
- 325th Reconnaissance Wing (later, 325th Air Division, Reconnaissance), 12 July 1947 – 27 June 1949
- Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe 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....
, 16 June 1952 - Eighth Air ForceEighth Air ForceThe Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
, 1 January 1959 - 823rd Air Division, 1 October 1962 – 30 June 1971
- 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...
- Attached to 57th Air Division (Provisional), 1 June 1972 – 15 November 1973
- Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, 1 October 1994–present
Components
Squadrons- 1st Observation (later, 1st Reconnaissance) Squadron41st Electronic Combat SquadronThe 41st Electronic Combat Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 355th Operations Group, being stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.-History:...
: 26 September 1941 – 1 November 1943
- Detached 10 April-c. 20 June 1942
- 4th Observation: 29 March 1942 – 1 June 1943
- Detached 29 March 1942 – 1 June 1943
- 39th Observation101st Bombardment (Photographic) SquadronThe 101st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the XIX Tactical Air Command, based at Brooks Field, Texas...
: 7 March 1942 – 1 June 1943
- 39th Observation
- Detached 6 August 1942 – 1 June 1943
- 60th Reconnaissance (later, 60th Strategic Reconnaissance, 60th Bombardment) Squadron60th Bombardment SquadronThe 60th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 43d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 30 April 1990-History:...
: 12 July 1947 – 27 June 1949; 16 June 1952-30 June 1971 - 73rd Fighter (later, 73rd Strategic Reconnaissance, 73rd Bombardment) Squadron: 1 August 1947 – 27 June 1949; 16 June 1952– 5 January 1959
- 108th Observation (later, 108th Reconnaissance)108th Air Refueling SquadronThe 108th Air Refueling Squadron flies the KC-135R Stratotanker. It is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 126th Air Refueling Wing.-Major Command/Gaining Command:* Air National Guard/Air Mobility Command...
: 26 September 1941 – 1 November 1943 - 124th Observation124th Fighter SquadronThe 124th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. It is a unit of the Iowa Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 132d Fighter Wing.-Major Command:*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command...
: 26 September 1941 – 12 March 1942 - 301st Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 301 Bombardment) Squadron301st Bombardment SquadronThe 301st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4135th Strategic Wing. It was inactivated at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida on 1 February 1963.-History:...
: 16 June 1952 – 17 June 1959 - 915th Air Refueling Squadron915th Air Refueling SquadronThe 915th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 72d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. It was inactivated on 30 June 1971....
: 1 September 1958 – 30 June 1971 - 63rd Bombardment Squadron (Provisional), 15 June 1972 – 15 November 1973
- 64th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)64th Bombardment SquadronThe 64th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 72d Strategic Wing , based at Andersen AFB, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 November 1973.-History:...
, 1 June 1972 – 15 November 1973 - 65th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)65th Bombardment SquadronThe 65th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 72d Strategic Wing , based at Andersen AFB, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 November 1973.-History:...
, 1 June 1972 – 15 November 1973 - 329th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)329th Combat Crew Training SquadronThe 329th Combat Crew Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 93d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Castle Air Force Base, California on 1 September 1991.-History:...
, 1 June 1972 – 15 November 1973 - 486th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional)486th Bombardment SquadronThe 486th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 22d Bombardment Wing, stationed at March Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 1 July 1971-History:...
, 1 June 1972 – 15 November 1973
- 60th Reconnaissance (later, 60th Strategic Reconnaissance, 60th Bombardment) Squadron
Stations
- Shreveport Municipal AirportShreveport Regional AirportShreveport Regional Airport is a public use airport in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the City of Shreveport and located four nautical miles southwest of its central business district....
, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 26 September 1941 - Adams Field, ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, 2 October 1941 - Marshall FieldMarshall FieldMarshall Field was founder of Marshall Field and Company, the Chicago-based department stores.-Life and career:...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, 11–27 December 1941 - Howard Field, Canal ZonePanama Canal ZoneThe Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
, 18 January 1942 – 1 November 1943 - Hamilton Field (later, AFB), California, 12 July 1947 – 27 June 1949
- Ramey AFB, Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, 16 June 1952 – 30 June 1971 - Anderson Air Force Base, GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, 1 June 1972 – 15 November 1973 - Tinker AFB, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 1 October 1994–present
Aircraft
- O-47North American O-47|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.* Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946....
, 1941–1943; - O-49 VigilantStinson Vigilant|-See also:-Bibliography:* Donald, David . American Warplanes of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-874023-72-7.* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng . The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1* Merriam, Ray . World War II Journal #15: U.S....
, 1941–1943; - L-4 Grasshopper, 1942–1943;
- B-18 BoloB-18 BoloThe Douglas B-18 Bolo was a United States Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force bomber of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was built by Douglas Aircraft Company and based on its DC-2 and was developed to replace the Martin B-10....
, 1942–1943; - P-39 Airacobra, 1943.
- RB-36 Peacemaker, 1952–1958;
- KC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerThe Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
, 1958–1971; - B-52 StratofortressB-52 StratofortressThe 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...
, 1959–1971; 1972–1973