91st Space Wing
Encyclopedia
The 91st Missile Wing is a United States Air Force
unit assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command Twentieth Air Force
. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base
, North Dakota
as a tenant unit.
The 91 MW is one of the Air Force's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings. The missile wing, whose members are known as the Rough Riders, is responsible for defending the United States by maintaining a fleet of 150 Minuteman III missiles located in underground launch facilities scattered across the northwest part of the state. The wing's missile complex stretches over 8,500 square miles—approximately the same size as Massachusetts.
The wing's on-alert missiles remain under the operational control of the nation's strategic war-fighting command, U.S. Strategic Command, based at Offutt Air Force Base
, Nebraska.
The World War II 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was an Eighth Air Force
B-17 Flying Fortress unit assigned to England, it was one of the first USAAF heavy bomb groups deployed to Europe in 1942. The 91st Bomb Group was stationed at RAF Bassingbourn
and is most noted as the unit in which the bomber Memphis Belle flew, and for having suffered the greatest number of losses of any heavy bomb group in World War II.
Later, as part of Strategic Air Command
, the 91st was one of SAC's longest-lasting and most versatile wings. It was a strategic reconnaissance wing (1948–1957) and a B-52 bomb wing (1963–1968). Its men flew virtually every plane in the SAC inventory. It became a missile wing in June 1968. On 1 July 2008 it was designated as the 91st Missile Wing.
The 91st Missile Wing is commanded by Colonel S.L. Davis. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant John L. Hoffman, Jr..
The wing also includes several special staff functions, such as plans and inspections, financial management and safety.
The 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was established 11 October 1948 and activated 10 November at McGuire Air Force Base
, New Jersey
. It moved to Barksdale Air Force Base
, Louisiana
, in 1949. RB-29J
bombers were assigned to the wing and its primary mission was global strategic reconnaissance. In 1950 it began receiving aerial refueling
aircraft, first the KB-29, then the KC-97. On 6 July 1950, it was redesignated the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Medium. At Barksdale, its wing headquarters was integrated with that of the 301st Bomb Wing. Although each wing conducted independent tactical operations, both were commanded by the same headquarters. The wing detached components for up to three months, primarily to England, and maintained detachments from other units, to provide ongoing reconnaissance of overseas areas.
On 11 September 1951, the Wing' was reassigned to Lockbourne from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
. The mission of the 91st SRW was to provide aerial reconnaissance and mapping services. It was equipped with a myriad of aircraft fitted with cameras to perform this mission, including B/RB-45 and the B/YRB-47.
When the move of the wing was made to Lockbourne from Barksdale, a detachment of the wing was deployed to Yokota AB, Japan, performing combat reconnaissance for Far East Air Forces over the Korean Peninsula
flying RB-29 Superfortresses. Over North Korea
, they were being confronted daily by Chinese-piloted
MiG-15s and were no longer able to perform reconnaissance, targeting, and bomb-damage assessment photography with impunity.
The RB-45C unit was attached to the 91st Squadron and began flying reconnaissance missions over northwestern Korea. The RB-45Cs were able to evade the MiGs for several months, but on 9 April 1951 one of the RB-45Cs had a close call and was barely able to escape a numerically superior enemy. At that time, it was decided that RB-45s could no longer go into northwestern Korea without fighter escort.
Another close call on 9 November 1951 caused the RB-45s to be restricted from entering northwestern Korean airspace in daylight even when fighter escort was available. In January 1952, the 91st Squadron was ordered to convert to night operations. Some RB-45Cs were painted all black so that they would not show up on enemy searchlights. However, the RB-45s were not well suited for night photography because the aircraft buffeted too badly when the forward bomb bay doors were opened to drop flash bombs. The RB-45s were withdrawn from the Korean theatre shortly thereafter, bringing the Korean experience with the RB-45 to an end.
On 29 July 1952, A 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing RB-45C (AF Serial No.48-0042) commanded by Major Louis H. Carrington made the first nonstop trans-Pacific flight from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to Yokota AB in Japan. There were two inflight refuelings by KB-29s along the way. This feat earned the 1952 Mackay Trophy for the crew.
The 91st SRW won the SAC reconnaissance, photographic, and navigation competition and the P. T. Cullen Award in 1955 and 1956. From Aug to November 1956 most of the wing deployed overseas in detachments to North Africa
, Newfoundland and Greenland
and were not under the operational control of the small establishment remaining at Lockbourne.
Along with the reconnaissance mission, the 91st had an aerial refueling mission, being equipped with KB-29s and KC-97s.
The wing was inactivated in November 1957.
established the 4141st Strategic Wing at Glasgow AFB, Montana
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 326th Bombardment Squadron
, consisting of 15 B-52Ds. 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 AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
The 4141st SW was redesignated as the 91st Bombardment Wing (397th BW) on 1 February 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's Fifteenth Air Force
, 18th Strategic Aerospace Division
. The 326th BS was also redesignated as the 322d Bombardment Squadron
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons and component support units were also redesignated to the 91st numerical designation of the newly-established wing. As under the Tri-Deputate organization, all flying components were directly assigned to the wing, no operational group element was activated.
The 91st Bomb Wing continued to conduct strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet operational commitments of Strategic Air Command
. On 11 September 1966, the entire wing, except for a small rear echelon, was integrated into the Arc Light Force at Andersen Air Force Base
, Guam
, for combat in Southeast Asia
, and returned on 31 March 1967. From 5 February to 15 April 1968, it was deployed to Kadena Air Base
, Okinawa, in response to the Pueblo Incident
.
By 1968, 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 91st Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 30 June 1968 and its aircraft were reassigned to other SAC units. As part of the inactivation, Glasgow AFB was closed.
, North Dakota
. There it was redesignated the '91st Strategic Missile Wing' and absorbed the units, personnel, and Minuteman III missiles of the inactivated 455th Strategic Missile Wing.
The first LGM-30G Minuteman III missile to arrive in the field was accepted by the 91st Strategic Missile Wing on April 14, 1970. The following August, the first Minutemen IIIs were placed on alert status. By December 1971, the switchover to the new missile was completed.
On 1 October 1997, it was redesignated as the 91st Space Wing. On 1 July 2008, it was once again designated the 91st Missile Wing.
Squadrons
The following squadrons were redesignated or reassigned from the 4141st Strategic Wing:
The following squadrons were reassigned from the 455th Strategic Missile Wing in September 1968:
LGM-30G Minuteman III Missile Alert Facilities (MAF) (each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:
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 Global Strike Command Twentieth Air Force
Twentieth Air Force
The Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base
Minot Air Force Base
Minot Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation in Ward County, North Dakota, north of the city of Minot. In the 2010 census, the base was counted as a CDP with a total population of 5,521....
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
as a tenant unit.
The 91 MW is one of the Air Force's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings. The missile wing, whose members are known as the Rough Riders, is responsible for defending the United States by maintaining a fleet of 150 Minuteman III missiles located in underground launch facilities scattered across the northwest part of the state. The wing's missile complex stretches over 8,500 square miles—approximately the same size as Massachusetts.
The wing's on-alert missiles remain under the operational control of the nation's strategic war-fighting command, U.S. Strategic Command, based at Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
, Nebraska.
The World War II 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was an Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The 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....
B-17 Flying Fortress unit assigned to England, it was one of the first USAAF heavy bomb groups deployed to Europe in 1942. The 91st Bomb Group was stationed at RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Bassingbourn
RAF Bassingbourn is a former military airbase located in Cambridgeshire approximately north of Royston, Hertfordshire and south west of Cambridge. During World War II it served first as an RAF station and then as a bomber base of the U.S. Eighth Air Force...
and is most noted as the unit in which the bomber Memphis Belle flew, and for having suffered the greatest number of losses of any heavy bomb group in World War II.
Later, as part 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...
, the 91st was one of SAC's longest-lasting and most versatile wings. It was a strategic reconnaissance wing (1948–1957) and a B-52 bomb wing (1963–1968). Its men flew virtually every plane in the SAC inventory. It became a missile wing in June 1968. On 1 July 2008 it was designated as the 91st Missile Wing.
The 91st Missile Wing is commanded by Colonel S.L. Davis. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant John L. Hoffman, Jr..
Units
The wing's major organizations include:- 91st Operations Group91st Operations GroupThe 91st Operations Group is the operational component of the 91st Missile Wing, assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command Twentieth Air Force. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota....
- 740th Strategic Missile (Later: Missile Squadron)
- 741st Strategic Missile (Later: Missile Squadron)
- 742d Strategic Missile (Later: Missile Squadron)
- 91st Operations Support Squadron
- 54th Helicopter Squadron
- 91st Maintenance Group
- 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron
- 91st Maintenance Operations Squadron.
- 91st Security Forces Group
- 791st Missile Security Forces Squadron
- 91st Missile Security Forces Squadron
- 91st Security Support Squadron
The wing also includes several special staff functions, such as plans and inspections, financial management and safety.
91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
McGuire Air Force Base
JB MDL McGuire is a United States Air Force base located approximately south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. McGuire is under the jurisdiction of the USAF Air Mobility Command...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. It moved to Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-southeast of Bossier City, Louisiana.The host unit at Barksdale is the 2d Bomb Wing , the oldest Bomb Wing in the Air Force. It is assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
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...
, in 1949. RB-29J
B-29 Superfortress variants
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was produced in a large number of experimental and production models.-XB-29:The XB-29, Boeing Model 345, was the first accepted prototype or experimental model delivered to the Army Air Corps, incorporating a number of improvements on the design originally submitted,...
bombers were assigned to the wing and its primary mission was global strategic reconnaissance. In 1950 it began receiving aerial refueling
Aerial refueling
Aerial refueling, also called air refueling, in-flight refueling , air-to-air refueling or tanking, is the process of transferring fuel from one aircraft to another during flight....
aircraft, first the KB-29, then the KC-97. On 6 July 1950, it was redesignated the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Medium. At Barksdale, its wing headquarters was integrated with that of the 301st Bomb Wing. Although each wing conducted independent tactical operations, both were commanded by the same headquarters. The wing detached components for up to three months, primarily to England, and maintained detachments from other units, to provide ongoing reconnaissance of overseas areas.
On 11 September 1951, the Wing' was reassigned to Lockbourne from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Louisiana
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...
. The mission of the 91st SRW was to provide aerial reconnaissance and mapping services. It was equipped with a myriad of aircraft fitted with cameras to perform this mission, including B/RB-45 and the B/YRB-47.
When the move of the wing was made to Lockbourne from Barksdale, a detachment of the wing was deployed to Yokota AB, Japan, performing combat reconnaissance for Far East Air Forces over the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
flying RB-29 Superfortresses. Over North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, they were being confronted daily by Chinese-piloted
People's Liberation Army Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
MiG-15s and were no longer able to perform reconnaissance, targeting, and bomb-damage assessment photography with impunity.
The RB-45C unit was attached to the 91st Squadron and began flying reconnaissance missions over northwestern Korea. The RB-45Cs were able to evade the MiGs for several months, but on 9 April 1951 one of the RB-45Cs had a close call and was barely able to escape a numerically superior enemy. At that time, it was decided that RB-45s could no longer go into northwestern Korea without fighter escort.
Another close call on 9 November 1951 caused the RB-45s to be restricted from entering northwestern Korean airspace in daylight even when fighter escort was available. In January 1952, the 91st Squadron was ordered to convert to night operations. Some RB-45Cs were painted all black so that they would not show up on enemy searchlights. However, the RB-45s were not well suited for night photography because the aircraft buffeted too badly when the forward bomb bay doors were opened to drop flash bombs. The RB-45s were withdrawn from the Korean theatre shortly thereafter, bringing the Korean experience with the RB-45 to an end.
On 29 July 1952, A 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing RB-45C (AF Serial No.48-0042) commanded by Major Louis H. Carrington made the first nonstop trans-Pacific flight from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to Yokota AB in Japan. There were two inflight refuelings by KB-29s along the way. This feat earned the 1952 Mackay Trophy for the crew.
The 91st SRW won the SAC reconnaissance, photographic, and navigation competition and the P. T. Cullen Award in 1955 and 1956. From Aug to November 1956 most of the wing deployed overseas in detachments to North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, Newfoundland and Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
and were not under the operational control of the small establishment remaining at Lockbourne.
Along with the reconnaissance mission, the 91st had an aerial refueling mission, being equipped with KB-29s and KC-97s.
The wing was inactivated in November 1957.
91st Bombardment Wing
On 1 February 1958, 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 4141st Strategic Wing at Glasgow AFB, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
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 326th Bombardment Squadron
326th Bombardment Squadron
The 326th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4141st Strategic Wing, stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-World War II:...
, consisting of 15 B-52Ds. 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 AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
The 4141st SW was redesignated as the 91st Bombardment Wing (397th BW) on 1 February 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
, 18th Strategic Aerospace Division
18th Strategic Aerospace Division
The 18th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Fifteenth Air Force, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 2 July 1968....
. The 326th BS was also redesignated as the 322d Bombardment Squadron
322d Bombardment Squadron
The 322d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 91st Bombardment Wing, stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana...
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons and component support units were also redesignated to the 91st numerical designation of the newly-established wing. As under the Tri-Deputate organization, all flying components were directly assigned to the wing, no operational group element was activated.
The 91st 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...
. On 11 September 1966, the entire wing, except for a small rear echelon, was integrated into the Arc Light Force at Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam....
, 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...
, for combat in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, and returned on 31 March 1967. From 5 February to 15 April 1968, it was deployed to Kadena Air Base
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Okinawa, in response to the Pueblo Incident
USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
USS Pueblo is an American ELINT and SIGINT Banner-class technical research ship which was boarded and captured by North Korean forces on January 23, 1968, in what is known as the Pueblo incident or alternatively as the Pueblo crisis or the Pueblo affair. Occurring less than a week after President...
.
By 1968, 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 91st Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 30 June 1968 and its aircraft were reassigned to other SAC units. As part of the inactivation, Glasgow AFB was closed.
91st Missile Wing
On 25 June 1968, the wing was officially moved to Minot Air Force BaseMinot Air Force Base
Minot Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation in Ward County, North Dakota, north of the city of Minot. In the 2010 census, the base was counted as a CDP with a total population of 5,521....
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
. There it was redesignated the '91st Strategic Missile Wing' and absorbed the units, personnel, and Minuteman III missiles of the inactivated 455th Strategic Missile Wing.
The first LGM-30G Minuteman III missile to arrive in the field was accepted by the 91st Strategic Missile Wing on April 14, 1970. The following August, the first Minutemen IIIs were placed on alert status. By December 1971, the switchover to the new missile was completed.
On 1 October 1997, it was redesignated as the 91st Space Wing. On 1 July 2008, it was once again designated the 91st Missile Wing.
Lineage
- Established as 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing on 11 October 1948
- Activated on 10 November 1948
- Redesignated 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Medium on 6 July 1950
- Inactivated on 8 November 1957
- Redesignated 91st Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 15 November 1962
- Activated on 15 November 1962
- Organized on 1 February 1963 assuming the resources (Manpower, Aircraft, Equipment, Weapons, & Facilities) of the 4141st Strategic Wing
- Redesignated: 91st Strategic Missile Wing on 25 June 1968
- Redesignated: 91st Missile Wing on 1 September 1991
- Redesignated: 91st Missile Group on 1 July 1994
- Redesignated: 91st Missile Wing on 1 February 1996
- Redesignated: 91st Space Wing on 1 October 1997
- Redesignated: 91st Missile Wing on 1 July 2008
Assignments
- 311th Air Division311th Air DivisionThe 311th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, being stationed at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas...
, 10 November 1948 - 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....
, 1 November 1949 - 4th Air Division, 10 February 1951
- 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....
, 11 September 1951 - 37th Air Division, 10 October 1951
- Attached to 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....
, 10 October 1951-17 March 1952- 801st Air Division801st Air DivisionThe 801st Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Eighth Air Force, being stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio...
28 May 1952-8 November 1957 - 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 - 810th Strategic Aerospace Division810th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 810th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota...
, 1 February 1963 - 18th Strategic Aerospace Division18th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 18th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Fifteenth Air Force, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 2 July 1968....
, 1 July 1963 - 821st Strategic Aerospace Division821st Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 821st Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota...
, 1 September 1964
- 801st Air Division
- 810th Strategic Aerospace Division810th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 810th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota...
, 1 July 1966
- Attached to Advanced Echelon, 3d Air Division, c. 5 February-15 April 1968
- 4th Strategic Missile Division, 30 June 1971
- Fifteenth Air ForceFifteenth Air ForceThe Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
, 30 November 1972
- Attached to Air Division Provisional, 810, 30 November 1972-14 January 1973
- 47th Air Division, 15 January 1973
- 57th Air Division, 22 January 1975
- Fifteenth Air ForceFifteenth Air ForceThe Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
, 14 June 1991 - Twentieth Air ForceTwentieth Air ForceThe Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, since 1 September 1991
Components
Groups- 91st Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 91st Operations) Group91st Operations GroupThe 91st Operations Group is the operational component of the 91st Missile Wing, assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command Twentieth Air Force. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota....
: 10 November 1948-28 May 1952; 1 September 1991-1 July 1994; 1 February 1996–. - 4091st Operations: 1 July 1988-14 February 1991
Squadrons
- 16th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 10 November 1948-1 June 1949
- 26th Air Refueling Squadron26th Air Refueling SquadronThe 26th Air Refueling Squadron was a squadron of the United States Air Force that flew the KC-97E/F/G Stratofreighter.-History:...
: attached 28 May 1952-1 June 1953 - 38th Reconnaissance Squadron38th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 38th Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It operates the RC-135 aircraft conducting reconnaissance missions.-Mission:...
: attached 1 November 1950-5 January 1951 - 68th Air Refueling Squadron68th Air Refueling SquadronThe 68th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...
: attached 5–28 May 1952 - 91st Air Refueling Squadron91st Air Refueling SquadronThe 91st Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-History:...
: attached 10 February 1951-27 May 1952, assigned 28 May 1952-8 November 1957 - 91st Reconnaissance (later, 91st Strategic Reconnaissance) Squadron91st Network Warfare SquadronThe 91st Network Warfare Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, currently assigned to the 67th Network Warfare Wing at Kelly Annex, part of Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.-Overview:...
: attached 22 January-25 March 1949 - 100th Air Refueling Squadron: attached 23 May-24 November 1953
- 323d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron323d Strategic Reconnaissance SquadronThe 323d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio...
: attached 10 February 1951-27 May 1952, assigned 28 May 1952-8 November 1957 (detached 12 January-26 February 1954) - 324th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron324th Strategic Reconnaissance SquadronThe 324th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio...
: attached 10 February 1951-27 May 1952, assigned 28 May 1952-8 November 1957 - 338th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 1–24 November 1950
- 343d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 1 November 1950-3 January 1951
The following squadrons were redesignated or reassigned from the 4141st Strategic Wing:
- 322d Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 322d Bombardment) Squadron322d Bombardment SquadronThe 322d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 91st Bombardment Wing, stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana...
: 28 May 1952-8 November 1957; 1 February 1963-25 June 1968 - 907th Air Refueling Squadron907th Air Refueling SquadronThe 907th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 91st Bombardment Wing, stationed at Glasgow AFB, Montana. It was inactivated on 25 June 1968....
: 1 July 1963-25 June 1968
The following squadrons were reassigned from the 455th Strategic Missile Wing in September 1968:
- 740th Strategic Missile (later, 740th Missile) Squadron740th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 740th Missile Squadron is a missile operations squadron of the 91st Missile Wing, 91st Operations Group, located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Mission:...
: 25 June 1968-1 July 1988; 14 February-1 September 1991; 1 July 1994-1 February 1996 - 741st Strategic Missile (later, 741st Missile) Squadron741st Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 741st Missile Squadron is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Mission:...
: 25 June 1968-1 July 1988; 14 February-1 September 1991; 1 July 1994-1 February 1996 - 742d Strategic Missile (later, 742d Missile) Squadron742d Missile SquadronThe 742d Missile Squadron is part of the 91st Missile Wing based at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.-World War II:...
: 25 June 1968-1 July 1988; 14 February-1 September 1991; 1 July 1994-1 February 1996
Stations
- McGuire AFB, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, 10 November 1948 - Barksdale AFB, 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...
, 1 October 1949 - Lockbourne AFB, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, 11 September 1951-8 November 1957 - Glasgow AFB, MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, 1 February 1963 - Minot AFB, North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, since 25 June 1968
Aircraft and missiles
- B-17G Flying Fortress (Includes TRB-17; RB-17), 1948–1950
- B-29 SuperfortressB-29 SuperfortressThe 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...
(Includes KB, TRB, TB and RB-29), 1948–1953 - B-50 SuperfortressB-50 SuperfortressThe Boeing B-50 Superfortress strategic bomber was a post-World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller fin, and other improvements. It was the last piston-engined bomber designed by Boeing for...
(Includes RB-50), 1949–1951 - B-45 TornadoB-45 TornadoThe North American B-45 Tornado was the United States Air Force's first operational jet bomber, and the first jet aircraft to be refueled in the air. The B-45 was an important part of the United States's nuclear deterrent for several years in the early 1950s, but was rapidly succeeded by the Boeing...
(Includes RB-45), 1950–1953 - KC-97 StratotankerKC-97 StratotankerThe Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a United States strategic tanker aircraft based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. It was succeeded by the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.-Design and development:...
, 1952–1957 - B-47E Stratojet, 1953
- RB-47E Stratojet, 1953–1957
- B-52D Stratofortress, 1963–1968
- 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...
, 1963–1968 - LGM-30A Minuteman I, 1968–1972
- LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972–Present
LGM-30G Minuteman III Missile Alert Facilities (MAF) (each controlling 10 missiles) are located as follows:
- 740th Missile Squadron740th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 740th Missile Squadron is a missile operations squadron of the 91st Missile Wing, 91st Operations Group, located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Mission:...
- A-01 2.3 mi WxNW of Balfour ND, 47°58′00"N 100°34′51"W
- B-01 8.6 mi SxSW of Voltaire ND, 47°54′31"N 100°55′37"W
- C-01 9.2 mi SxSW of Ruso ND, 47°42′52"N 101°00′36"W
- D-01 1.8 mi S of Max ND, 47°47′42"N 101°17′54"W
- E-01 10.8 mi SW of Douglas ND, 47°45′02"N 101°40′29"W
- 741st Missile Squadron741st Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 741st Missile Squadron is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Mission:...
- 741st Missile Squadron
- F-01 8.3 mi WxNW of Douglas ND, 47°53′46"N 101°40′26"W
- G-01 7.1 mi N of Plaza SD, 48°07′11"N 101°57′38"W
- H-01 4.3 mi WxNW of Parshall ND, 47°58′27"N 102°13′20"W
- I-01 4.3 mi ExNE of Stanley ND, 48°20′42"N 102°18′16"W
- J-01 9.8 mi NW of Berthold ND, 48°24′43"N 101°53′29"W
- 742d Missile Squadron742d Missile SquadronThe 742d Missile Squadron is part of the 91st Missile Wing based at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.-World War II:...
- 742d Missile Squadron
- K-01 8.8 mi SxSW of Kenmare ND, 48°33′02"N 102°07′12"W
- L-01 1.5 mi SW of Bowbells ND, 48°47′21"N 102°16′06"W
- M-01 9.1 mi E of Kenmare ND, 48°40′22"N 101°52′31"W
- N-01 3.7 mi W of Mohall ND, 48°45′34"N 101°35′31"W
- O-01 9.5 mi NW of Maxbass ND, 48°49′28"N 101°16′55"W
See also
- List of B-50 units of the United States Air Force
- List of B-47 units of the United States Air Force
- List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force
- 91st Missile Wing LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Launch Sites91st Missile Wing LGM-30 Minuteman Missile Launch SitesThis is a list of the LGM-30 Minuteman missile Missile Alert Facilities and Launch Facilities of the 91st Missile Wing, 20th Air Force, assigned to Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Overview:...