List of B-29 Superfortress operators

This is a list of B-29 Superfortress units consisting of nations, their air forces, and the unit assignments that used the B-29 during 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...

, Korean War

Korean War

The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...

, and post war periods, including variants and other historical information

Delivery of the first YB-29 test aircraft (YB-29-BW 41-36954) to the USAAF was made in June 1943, being delivered to the 58th Bombardment Wing, 40th Bombardment Group. The first production B-29s began to roll off the production lines at Boeing-Wichita in September 1943, also going to the 58th BW.

The last B-29 was delivered by Boeing-Wichita (B-29-100-BW, 45-21872) in September 1945. 21872 was converted to a WB-29; being destroyed in a crash on 25 September 1953 near Eielson AFB, Alaska, when assigned to the 58th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), Weather.

Combat Groups

Army Air Forces B-29 groups and squadrons assigned to operations as part of the Pacific War

Pacific War

The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...

against the Japanese Empire, 1944–1945. Includes units assigned to the XX Bomber Command

XX Bomber Command

The XX Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Far East Air Forces, based on Okinawa. It was inactivated on July 16, 1945.- History:...

in the China-Burma-India Theater (April 1944-February 1945), and to XXI Bomber Command

XXI Bomber Command

The XXI Bomber Command was a unit of the Twentieth Air Force in Guam for strategic bombing during World War II.- Lineage:* Constituted as XXI Bomber Command on 1 Mar 1944, and activated the same day.-Assignments:...

in 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) (March–August 1945). Also includes groups and squadrons deployed to Okinawa assigned to 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....

, in July/August 1945 but did not engage in combat operations.

6th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1947)

Reassigned from Sixth Air Force (ATO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, March 1944

XXI BC; 313th Bombardment Wing

Circle R Tail Code; North Field, Tinain

24th Bombardment Squadron

39th Bombardment Squadron

40th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in October 1948

9th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1947)

Reassigned from Sixth Air Force (ATO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, March 1944

XXI BC; 313th Bombardment Wing

Circle X Tail Code; North Field, Tinain

1st Bombardment Squadron

5th Bombardment Squadron

99th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in October 1948

16th Bombardment Group, (B-29B, 1944–1946)

Activated, April 1944

15th Bombardment Squadron

15th Special Operations Squadron

The 15th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft in support of special operations.-Mission:...

16th Bombardment Squadron

The 16th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 16th Bombardment Group stationed at Northwest Field, Guam.-History:...

17th Bombardment Squadron

The 17th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 16th Bombardment Group stationed at Northwest Field, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 April 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in April 1946

19th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1954)

Reassigned from Fifth Air Force

Fifth Air Force

The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....

(SWPA)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Diamond B Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam

28th Bombardment Squadron

30th Bombardment Squadron

The 30th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4133d Strategic Wing, stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...

93d Bombardment Squadron

Reassigned to: 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...

(FEAF), May 1946

Reassigned to: 19th Bombardment Wing (FEAF), August 1948

Moved to: Andersen AFB, Guam, August 1948

Moved to: Kadena AB, Okinawa, June 1950

Combat in Korean War, 1950-1953

Reassigned to: 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...

in June 1954

29th Bombardment Group
29th Bombardment Group
The 29th Flying Training Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit last based at Craig AFB, Alabama. It was inactivated when Craig AFB was closed as a budget reduction action after the Vietnam War....

, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944

XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing

Square O Tail Code; North Field, Guam

6th Bombardment Squadron

6th Air Refueling Squadron

The 6th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates the KC-10 Extender aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-History:...

43d Bombardment Squadron

52d Bombardment Squadron

The 52d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 68th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Chennault Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was inactivated on 15 April 1963.-History:...

Inactivated in May 1946

39th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1945)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944

XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing

Square P Tail Code; North Field, Guam

60th Bombardment Squadron

The 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:...

61st Bombardment Squadron

The 61st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 70th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and was inactivated on 25 June 1962.-History:...

62d Bombardment Squadron

The 62d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 2d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana on 1 September 1991.-History:...

Inactivated in December 1945

40th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)

Reassigned from Sixth Air Force (ATO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, November 1943

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944

XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing

Chakulia, India, Hsingching, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinain (XXI BC)

Triangle S Tail Code

25th Bombardment Squadron

44th Bombardment Squadron

The 44th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 40th Bombardment Wing, based at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas. It was inactivated on 1 September 1964.-Heraldry:...

45th Bombardment Squadron

The 45th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 40th Bombardment Wing, based at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas...

Inactivated in October 1946

330th Bombardment Group
330th Bombardment Group
The 330th Bombardment Group was a bomber group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It constituted on 1 July 1942 at Salt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah. The unit fought in the Pacific Theater...

, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1945)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944

XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing

Square K Tail Code; North Field, Guam

457th Bombardment Squadron

458th Bombardment Squadron

459th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in November 1945

331st Bombardment Group
331st Bombardment Group
The 331st Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 315th Bombardment Wing, being stationed at Northwest Field, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 April 1946....

, (B-29B, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Diamond L Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam

355th Bombardment Squadron

356th Bombardment Squadron

357th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in April 1946

333d Bombardment Group
333d Bombardment Group
The 333d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 316 Bombardment Wing, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 28 May 1946-History:...

, (B-29, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1944

Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing

Kadena Field, Okinawa

435th Bombardment Squadron

The 435th Bombardment Squadron, also known as the "Kangaroo" Squadron, is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Eighth Air Force 333d Bombardment Group, based at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa...

460th Bombardment Squadron

The 460th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 333d Bombardment Group, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 28 May 1946.-History:...

507th Bombardment Squadron

The 507th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 333d Bombardment Group, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 28 May 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in May 1946

346th Bombardment Group
346th Bombardment Group
The 346th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 316th Bombardment Wing, being stationed at Kadena Airfield, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 30 June 1946....

, (B-29, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944

Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing

Kadena Field, Okinawa

461st Bombardment Squadron

The 461st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 346th Bombardment Group stationed at Kadena Airfield, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 30 June 1946.-History:...

462d Bombardment Squadron

The 462d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 346th Bombardment Group stationed at Kadena Airfield, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 30 June 1946.-History:...

463d Bombardment Squadron

The 463d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 346th Bombardment Group stationed at Kadena Airfield, Okinawa. It was inactivated on 30 June 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in June 1946

382d Bombardment Group
382d Bombardment Group
The 382d Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, being stationed at Camp Azna, California. It was inactivated on 4 January 1946....

, (B-29, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944

Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing

Kadena Field, Okinawa

420th Bombardment Squadron

The 420th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 382d Bombardment Group stationed at Camp Anza, California. It was inactivated on 4 January 1946.-History:...

464th Bombardment Squadron

The 464th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 382d Bombardment Group stationed at Camp Anza, California...

872d Bombardment Squadron

The 872d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 382d Bombardment Group stationed at Camp Anza, California. It was inactivated on 4 January 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in January 1946

383d Bombardment Group
383d Bombardment Group
The 383d Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, being stationed at Camp Azna, California. It was inactivated on 3 January 1946....

, (B-29, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944

Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing

Kadena Field, Okinawa

876th Bombardment Squadron

The 876th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 383d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Camp Anza, California on 29 December 1945.-History:...

880th Bombardment Squadron

The 880th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 383d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Camp Anza, California on 3 Jan 1946.-History:...

884th Bombardment Squadron

The 884th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 383d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 29 December 1945.-History:...

Inactivated in January 1946

444th Bombardment Group
444th Bombardment Group
The 444th Air Expeditionary Wing was a United States Air Force provisional unit possibly allocated to Air Materiel Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom...

, (B-29, 1944–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ZI)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944

XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing

Dudkhuadi, India, Kwanghan, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinain (XXI BC)

Triangle N Tail Code

676th Bombardment Squadron

The 676th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 444th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 1 October 1946.-History:...

677th Bombardment Squadron

The 677th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 444th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 1 October 1946.-History:...

678th Bombardment Squadron

679th Bombardment Squadron

The 679th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 444th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Dudhkundi Airfield, India on 12 October 1944.-History:...

(1943-1944)

Inactivated in August 1946

462d Bombardment Group
462d Bombardment Group
The 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to Strategic Air Command, based at Larson Air Force Base, Washington....

, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)

Activated, July 1943

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, November 1943

XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing

Piardpba, India, Kiunglai, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinain (XXI BC)

Triangle U Tail Code

768th Bombardment Squadron

The 768th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing, based at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 25 June 1966.-History:...

769th Bombardment Squadron

The 769th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 462d Bombardment Group, based at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946-History:...

770th Bombardment Squadron

The 770th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 462d Bombardment Group, based at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946-History:...

771st Bombardment Squadron

The 771st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 462d Bombardment Group, based at Piardoba Airfield, India. It was inactivated on 12 October 1944.-History:...

(1943-1944)

Inactivated in March 1946

468th Bombardment Group
468th Bombardment Group
The 468th Bombardment Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946. The unit served primarily in the Pacific Ocean theater and China Burma India Theater of World War II as part of Twentieth Air Force. The 468th Bomb Group's aircraft...

, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)

Activated, August 1943

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, November 1943

XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing

Kharagpur, India, Pengshan, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinain (XXI BC)

Triangle I Tail Code

792d Bombardment Squadron

The 792d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 468th Bombardment Group stationed at Roswell Army Airfield, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-History:...

793d Bombardment Squadron

The 793d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 468th Bombardment Group stationed at Roswell Army Airfield, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-History:...

794th Bombardment Squadron

795th Bombardment Squadron

The 795th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 468th Bombardment Group stationed at Kharagpur Airfield, India. It was inactivated on 12 October 1944.-History:...

(1943-1944)

Inactivated in March 1946

497th Bombardment Group
497th Bombardment Group
The 497th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The unit was inactivated on 31 March 1946.The unit was part of the United States Army Air Force and Twentieth Air Force during World War II. The 497th BG engaged in very heavy bombardment operations against Japan...

, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)

Activated, November 1943

XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing

A Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan

869th Bombardment Squadron

The 869th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 497th Bombardment Group stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-History:...

870th Bombardment Squadron

The 870th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 497th Bombardment Group stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-History:...

871st Bombardment Squadron

The 871st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 497th Bombardment Group stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in March 1946

498th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)

Activated, November 1943

XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing

T Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan

873d Bombardment Squadron

874th Bombardment Squadron

875th Bombardment Squadron

The 875th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 498th Tactical Missile Group stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.-History:...

Inactivated in August 1946

499th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1943–1946)

Activated, November 1943

XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing

V Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan

877th Bombardment Squadron

The 877th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 499th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 16 February 1946.-History:...

878th Bombardment Squadron

The 878th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 499th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 16 February 1946.-History:...

879th Bombardment Squadron

The 879th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 499th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 16 February 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in February 1946

500th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)

Activated, November 1943

XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing

Z Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan

881st Bombardment Squadron

The 881st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 500th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 12 November 1945.-History:...

882d Bombardment Squadron

The 882d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 500th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 12 November 1945.-History:...

883d Bombardment Squadron

The 883d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 500th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 12 November 1945.-History:...

Inactivated in January 1946

501st Bombardment Group, (B-29B, 1944–1946)

Activated, May 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Diamond Y Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam

21st Bombardment Squadron

The 21st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 501st Bombardment Group, based at Northwest Field, Guam in the Mariana Islands. It was inactivated on 10 June 1946....

41st Bombardment Squadron

The 41st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 448th Bombardment Group, based at Long Beach Municipal Airport, California...

485th Bombardment Squadron

The 485th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 505th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Northwest Field, Guam on 10 June 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in June 1946

502d Bombardment Group
502d Bombardment Group
The 502d Bombardment Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. The unit was inactivated on 15 April 1946....

, (B-29B, 1944–1946)

Activated, May 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Diamond H Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam

402d Bombardment Squadron

The 402d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 502d Bombardment Group. It was last stationed at Northwest Field, Guam, and was inactivated on 15 April 1946.-History:...

411th Bombardment Squadron

430th Bombardment Squadron

The 430th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 502d Bombardment Group, based at Northwest Field, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 April 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in April 1946

504th Bombardment Group
504th Bombardment Group
The 504th Bombardment Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It was inactivated on 15 June 1946....

, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1946)

Activated, March 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Circle E Tail Code; North Field, Tinian

398th Bombardment Squadron

421st Bombardment Squadron

The 421st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 504th Bombardment Group, stationed at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines Commonwealth. It was inactivated on 15 June 1946.-History:...

680th Bombardment Squadron

The 680th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 504th Bombardment Group, stationed at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines Commonwealth. It was inactivated on 15 June 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in June 1946

505th Bombardment Group
505th Bombardment Group
The 505th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Thirteenth Air Force, stationed at Clark Field, Philippines. It was inactivated on 30 June 1946...

, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1946)

Activated, March 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Circle W Tail Code; North Field, Tinian

482d Bombardment Squadron

The 482d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 505th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clark Field, Philippines on 10 June 1946.-History:...

483d Bombardment Squadron

484th Bombardment Squadron

The 484th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 505th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clark Field, Philippines on 10 June 1946.-History:...

Inactivated in June 1946

509th Composite Group
509th Composite Group
The 509th Composite Group was a United States Army Air Forces unit created during World War II, and tasked with operational deployment of nuclear weapons...

, (B-29, 1944; Silverplate B-29, 1945–1947)

Activated, December 1944

XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing

Various Tail Codes; North Field, Tinian

393d Bombardment Squadron

Redesignated: 509th Bombardment Group, July 1946

Became part of Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command

; assigned to 509th Bombardment Wing in November 1947.

Combat Reconnaissance Squadrons

1st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, (F-13A, 1944–1947)
3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, (F-13A, 1944–1947)

Non-Combat Groups

Army Air Forces groups which were assigned to 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 conversion B-29 training during the summer of 1945. These groups were returned to the United States from the European Theater of Operations

European Theater of Operations

The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...

(ETO) after the German Capitulation in May 1945, and were programmed to redeploy to the Pacific Theater of Operations

Pacific Theater of Operations

(PTO) after their training was completed. However, the Japanese Capitulation and the end of combat in the PTO led to their inactivation after August 1945.

98th Bombardment Group

Reassigned from Twelfth Air Force (MTO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1945

343d Bombardment Squadron

344th Bombardment Squadron

345th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in November 1945

450th Bombardment Group

Reassigned from 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....

(MTO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1945

720th Bombardment Squadron

The 720th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 450th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and was inactivated on 25 July 1968.-History:...

721st Bombardment Squadron

722d Bombardment Squadron

723d Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in October 1945

466th Bombardment Group
466th Bombardment Group
The 466th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the Second Air Force, being stationed at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945...

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945

784th Bombardment Squadron

The 784th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 466th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 17 October 1945.-History:...

785th Bombardment Squadron

The 785th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 466th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 17 October 1945.-History:...

786th Bombardment Squadron

The 786th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 466th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 17 October 1945.-History:...

787th Bombardment Squadron

The 787th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 466th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona on 17 October 1945.-History:...

Inactivated in October 1945

489th Bombardment Group
489th Bombardment Group
The 489th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the IV Bomber Command, stationed at Drew Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945....

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, March 1945

844th Bombardment Squadron

The 844th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 489th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 17 October 1945.-History:...

845th Bombardment Squadron

The 845th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 489th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 17 October 1945.-History:...

846th Bombardment Squadron

The 846th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 489th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at March Field, California on 17 October 1945.-History:...

847th Bombardment Squadron

The 847th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 489th Bombardment Group, based at Great Bend Army Air Field, Kansas...

Inactivated in October 1945

472d Bombardment Group
472d Bombardment Group
The 472d Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Second Air Force, being stationed at Clovis Army Airfield, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 1 April 1944....

(2d AF Operational Training Unit)*

Activated in September 1943

808th Bombardment Squadron

The 808th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 472d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico on 1 April 1944.-History:...

809th Bombardment Squadron

The 809th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 472d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico on 1 April 1944.-History:...

810th Bombardment Squadron

The 810th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 472d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico on 1 April 1944.-History:...

811th Bombardment Squadron

The 811th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 472d Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico on 1 April 1944.-History:...

Inactivated in April 1944

32d Composite Wing* (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...

)

Activated in August 1948 (RB-29, 1948-1949)

31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

Inactivated in April 1949

5th Bombardment (later Reconnaissance) Group
5th Operations Group
The 5th Operations Group is an operational component of the United States Air Force 5th Bomb Wing, stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota...

(Thirteenth Air Force
Thirteenth Air Force
The Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...

)*

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, Apr 1946 (B-29)

Redesignated Reconnaissance Group, Mar 1947 (F-13A, later RB-29)

5th Reconnaissance Squadron

23d Bombardment (later Reconnaissance) Squadron

31st Bombardment (later Reconnaissance) Squadron

38th Reconnaissance Squadron

The 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:...

338th Reconnaissance Squadron

394th Bombardment Squadron

Assigned to: Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command

, May 1949

Assigned to: 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, July 1949

.* Note: The 472d Bombardment Group was a 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....

Operational Training Unit for initial B-29 crew training established in 1943; the 5th Bombardment Group was redesignated and reequipped as a B-29 unit by Far East Air Forces and assigned to Thirteenth Air Force

Thirteenth Air Force

The Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...

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...

in 1946 from aircraft and equipment of former XXI Bomber Command

XXI Bomber Command

units which had inactivated. The 5th BG was a prewar bomb group assigned to Hawaii

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

at the time of the Pearl Harbor Attack; its B-17s largely destroyed on the ground at Hickam Field. The unit was reformed into a B-24 Liberator heavy bomb group after the attack and was assigned to Thirteenth AF during the war; the 32d Composite Wing flew RB-29s for Far East Air Forces in the late 1940s, primarily as photo-mapping aircraft over China, Formosa, Indochina and Korea.

Strategic Air Command (1946-1947)

Army Air Forces B-29 bomb groups assigned to Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command

(SAC) after the command's establishment in March 1946. Includes groups were returned to the United States from the European Theater and were programmed to redeploy to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) after their B-29 conversion training was completed. These units were retained on active service after the Japanese Capitulation in August 1945 and were assigned to Continental Air Forces (CAF). In March 1946 were transferred to SAC upon redesignation of CAF to SAC.

Many of these units and squadrons were undermanned and under-equipped due to the rapid demobilization of the armed forces in this period. In addition, frequent inactivations and activations were made, with older, prewar units being reactivated in place of younger, wartime units.

2d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1947)

Activated in July 1947

20th Bombardment Squadron

49th Bombardment Squadron

96th Bombardment Squadron

Group assigned to 2d Bombardment Wing, November 1947

7th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Activated in October 1946

9th Bombardment Squadron

436th Bombardment Squadron

492d Bombardment Squadron

The 492d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4228th Strategic Wing, stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...

Group assigned to 7th Bombardment Wing, November 1947

22d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1949)

Reassigned from Fifth Air Force

Fifth Air Force

The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....

(WPA)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, June 1946

2d Bombardment Squadron

The 2d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Strategic Air Command 22d Bombardment Wing stationed at March AFB, California...

19th Bombardment Squadron

33d Bombardment Squadron

Group assigned to 22d Bombardment Wing, July 1948

28th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Activated in July 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 449th Bomb Group

77th 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:...

718th Bombardment Squadron

The 718th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4128th Strategic Wing, stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...

Group assigned to 28th Bombardment Wing, July 1947

43d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Activated in October 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 444th Bomb Group

63d Bombardment Squadron

The 63d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Wing, based at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. It was inactivated on January 31, 1970.-History:...

64th Bombardment Squadron

The 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:...

65th Bombardment Squadron

The 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:...

Group assigned to 43d Bombardment Wing, November 1947

44th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945

66th Bombardment Squadron

67th Bombardment Squadron

68th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in July 1946

90th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1947–1948)

Activated in July 1947

319th Bombardment Squadron

320th Bombardment Squadron

321st Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in September 1948

92d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1946

325th 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:...

327th Bombardment Squadron

The 327th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4170th Strategic Wing, stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963-World War II:...

Group assigned to 92d Bombardment Wing, November 1947

93d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1947)

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1945

328th Bombardment Squadron

329th Bombardment Squadron

330th Bombardment Squadron

The 330th Bombardment 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:...

Group assigned to 93d Bombardment Wing, July 1947

97th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Activated in August 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 485th Bomb Group

340th Bombardment Squadron

341st Bombardment Squadron

The 341st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4038th Strategic Wing. It was last stationed at Dow Air Force Base, Maine, and was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...

342d Bombardment Squadron

The 342d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4137th Strategic Wing. It was last stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...

Group assigned to 97th Bombardment Wing, September 1947

301st Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Activated in August 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 467th Bomb Group

32d Bombardment Squadron

352d Bombardment Squadron

The 353d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Group, stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. It was inactivated on 16 June 1952-History:...

353d Bombardment Squadron

The 353d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Wing, stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. It was inactivated on 8 June 1964-History:...

Group assigned to 301st Bombardment Wing, November 1947

307th Bombardment Group
307th Bombardment Group
The 307th Air Refueling Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 47th Air Division, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California...

, (B-29, 1946–1947)

Activated in August 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 498th Bomb Group

370th Bombardment Squadron

371st Bombardment Squadron

The 371st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 307th Bombardment Wing, based at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska. It was deactivated on 25 March 1965-History:...

372d Bombardment Squadron

The 372d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 307th Bombardment Wing, based at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...

Group assigned to 307th Bombardment Wing, July 1947

448th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945

712th Bombardment Squadron

713th Bombardment Squadron

714th Bombardment Squadron

The 714th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 448th Bombardment Group, stationed at Long Beach Army Air Field, California. It was inactivated on 21 March 1951.-History:...

715th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated August 1946

449th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(MTO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, May 1945

716th Bombardment Squadron

The 716th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 449th Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Kincheloe Air Force Base, Michigan on 30 September 1977.-History:...

717th Bombardment Squadron

718th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated August 1946

458th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(ETO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945

752d Bombardment Squadron

The 752d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 458th Bombardment Group stationed at March Field, California.-History:...

753d Bombardment Squadron

The 753d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 458th Bombardment Group stationed at March Field, California.-History:...

754th Bombardment Squadron

The 754th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 458th Bombardment Group stationed at March Field, California.-History:...

755th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated in July 1946

485th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)

Reassigned from 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....

(MTO)

Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945

506th Bombardment Squadron

The 506th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 44th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Chennault Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was inactivated on 15 June 1960-History:...

828th Bombardment Squadron

The 829th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 485th Bombardment Group stationed at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas.-History:...

829th Bombardment Squadron

The 829th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 485th Bombardment Group stationed at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas.-History:...

830th Bombardment Squadron

The 830th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 509th Bombardment Wing stationed at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.-History:...

Inactivated August 1946

509th Bombardment Group

See Combat Groups Section

9th Reconnaissance Squadron
9th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
The 9th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, being stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina...

(Very Long Range), (F-13A, 1949)

Assigned to: 314th Composite Wing, 20 June 1946-20 October 1947

31st Reconnaissance Squadron
31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 53d Test and Evaluation Group, 53d Wing, Air Combat Command.. It is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California....

(Very Long Range), (F-13A, 1947–1948)

Assigned to: 71st Reconnaissance Group

46th Reconnaissance Squadron
46th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 46th Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive Strategic Air Command unit. Its last assignment was with the 5001st Composite Wing, based at Ladd Army Airfield, Alaska Territory....

(Very Long Range), (F-13A, 1946–1947)

Assigned to: Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command

, 1 May 1946-13 October 1947

Attached entire time to: Yukon Sector, Alaskan Air Command

Alaskan Air Command

Alaskan Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1945 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the air defense system of Alaska, exercise direct control of all active measures, and coordinate all passive means of...

Strategic Air Command

The B-29 was the mainstay of Strategic Air Command

Strategic Air Command

after World War II

World War II

until the Korean War

Korean War

. B-29 "Very Heavy" bomber units were redesignated "Medium" with the introduction of the B-36 Peacemaker into the inventory in 1948, with some units transitioning to the B-36/RB-36 beginning in 1949. The B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

The 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...

, an advanced version of the B-29 was also introduced in 1949.

SAC deployed non nuclear-capable B-29 groups to Far East Air Forces in 1950 to conduct strategic bombardment missions over the skies of 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...

, however the aircraft was made obsolete by the development of Soviet jet-powered interceptors such as the MiG-15. The B-29 soldiered on for a more few years in the strategic bombardment role, but by 1955 was replaced by the B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...

medium bomber.

In 1950, conversions of B-29s to KB-29P aerial tankers began to reach SAC squadrons. KB-29s were in service with SAC until being replaced by the KC-97 Stratotanker

KC-97 Stratotanker

The 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:...

(which was itself based on the B-29) by 1955.

1st Fighter Wing
1st Fighter Wing
The 1st Fighter Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Ninth Air Force. It is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va...

, (B-29, 1949)

Assigned to Headquarters 1st FW while attached to 22d Bombardment Wing

2d Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1950)

Activated in October 1947

20th Bombardment Squadron

49th Bombardment Squadron

96th Bombardment Squadron

2d Air Refueling Squadron

The 2d Air Refueling Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force. It is part of the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. It operates the KC-10 Extender aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions....

(KB-29 1950-1953)

Replaced by B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

in 1949

5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (B-29, 1949; RB-29, 1949–1951; KB-29 1949-1951)

Activated in July 1949

23d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

72d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

Replaced by RB-36D Peacemaker in 1951

6th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1951–1952)

Activated in January 1951

24th Bombardment Squadron

39th Bombardment Squadron

40th Bombardment Squadron

6th Air Refueling Squadron

The 6th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. It operates the KC-10 Extender aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-History:...

(KB-29, 1951-1952)

Replaced by B-36D Peacemaker in 1951

7th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1947–1948)

Activated in November 1947

9th Bombardment Squadron

436th Bombardment Squadron

492d Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-36B Peacemaker in 1948

9th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1949–1954; RB-29, 1949–1951)

Activated in May 1949

1st Bombardment Squadron

5th Bombardment Squadron

99th Bombardment Squadron

9th Air Refueling Squadron

The 9th Air Refueling Squadron was initially activated in 1951, although its history can be traced back to the 9th Photographic Squadron of World War II...

(KB-29, 1953)

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1954

12th Strategic Fighter Wing

506th Air Refueling Squadron

The 506th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing, stationed at Dow AFB, Maine. It was inactivated on 1 March 1955...

(KB-29, 1955-1957)

22d Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1949–1953)

Activated in July 1948

Combat in Korean War, Jul-Oct 1950

2d Bombardment Squadron

The 2d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Strategic Air Command 22d Bombardment Wing stationed at March AFB, California...

19th Bombardment Squadron

33d Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

27th Strategic Fighter Wing

27th Air Refueling Squadron

The United States Air Force's 27th Air Refueling Squadron was an aerial refueling unit that operated the Boeing KB-29P Superfortress at Bergstrom AFB, Texas....

(KB-29, 1953-1957)

28th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1947–1950; RB-29, 1950)

Activated in July 1947

77th Bombardment Squadron

717th Bombardment Squadron

718th Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-36D Peacemaker in 1953

31st Strategic Fighter Wing

431st Air Refueling Squadron

The 431st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4440th Air Delivery Group, stationed at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas...

(KB-29, 1954, 1956-1957)

40th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1953–1954)

Activated in May 1952

25th Bombardment Squadron

44th Bombardment Squadron

45th Bombardment Squadron

The 45th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 40th Bombardment Wing, based at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas...

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1954

43d Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1947–1950)

Activated in November 1947

63d Bombardment Squadron

64th Bombardment Squadron

65th Bombardment Squadron

43d Air Refueling Squadron

The 43d Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 92nd Bombardment Wing, stationed at Fairchild AFB, Washington. It was inactivated on 1 September 1991.-Air Transport Command:...

(KB-29, 1949-1953)

Replaced by B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

in 1949

44th Bombardment Wing (TB-29, 1951; B-29, 1951–1953)

Activated in January 1951

66th Bombardment Squadron

67th Bombardment Squadron

68th Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, (B/RB-29, 1948–1949, 1950–1951)

Activated in June 1948

38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

338th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

343d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

Replaced by RB-50 Superfortress in 1953

68th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1952–1953)

Activated in October 1951

27th Bombardment Squadron

The 27th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 30th Bombardment Group, based at Kahuku Army Airfield, Hawaii Territory...

51st Bombardment Squadron

The 51st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 68th Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina on 30 September 1982.-History:...

52d Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

90th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1954; RB-29, 1951–1954; TB-29, 1951–1952)

Activated in January 1951

319th Bombardment Squadron

320th Bombardment Squadron

321st Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by RB-47 Stratojet in 1954

91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, (B-29, 1948–1949; RB-29, 1948–1951; TB-29, 1948–1949; TRB-29, 1949)

Activated in October 1948

322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

The 322d 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...

323d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

The 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...

324th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

The 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...

91st Air Refueling Squadron

The 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:...

, (KB-29, 1950-1953)

Replaced by RB-50 Superfortress in 1951

92d Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1952)

Activated in November 1947

Combat in Korean War, Jul-Oct 1950

325th Bombardment Squadron

326th Bombardment Squadron

327th Bombardment Squadron

91st Air Refueling Squadron

The 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:...

, (KB-29, 1957)

Replaced by B-36D Peacemaker in 1951

93d Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1949)

Activated in July 1947

328th Bombardment Squadron

329th Bombardment Squadron

330th Bombardment Squadron

93d Air Refueling Squadron

The 93d Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 92d Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting aerial refueling missions.-World War II:...

(KB-29, 1950-1953)

Replaced by B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

in 1949

97th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1950; ERB-29, 1954–1956)

Activated in December 1947

340th Bombardment Squadron

341st Bombardment Squadron

342d Bombardment Squadron

97th Air Refueling Squadron

The 97th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 92d Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington...

(KB-29, 1950-1956)

Replaced by B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

in 1950

98th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1950–1954)

Activated in October 1947

Combat in Korean War, Aug 1950-Mar 1951

343d Bombardment Squadron

344th Bombardment Squadron

345th Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1954

301st Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1953)

Activated in November 1947

32d Bombardment Squadron

352d Bombardment Squadron

353d Bombardment Squadron

301st Air Refueling Squadron

The 301st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 301st Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. It was inactivated on 31 December 1975....

(KB-29, 1949-1953)

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

303d Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1953)

Activated in September 1951

358th Bombardment Squadron

The 358th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 15 June 1964.-History:...

359th Bombardment Squadron

The 359th Bombardment Squadron was a United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 303d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It was deactivated on 15 June 1964.-History:...

360th Bombardment Squadron

The 360th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 303d Bombardment Wing, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 15 June 1964.-History:...

9th Air Refueling Squadron

The 9th Air Refueling Squadron was initially activated in 1951, although its history can be traced back to the 9th Photographic Squadron of World War II...

(KB-29, 1952-1953)

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

305th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1953)

Activated in January 1951

364th Bombardment Squadron

The 364th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 307th Strategic Wing, stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand. It was inactivated on 30 June 1975-History:...

365th Bombardment Squadron

The 365th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 307th Strategic Wing, stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand. It was inactivated on 30 June 1975.-History:...

366th Bombardment Squadron

The 366th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 305th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana. It was inactivated on 1 January 1970-History:...

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1952

307th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1951)

Activated in August 1947

Combat in Korean War, Jul 1950-Feb 1951 (Group)

370th Bombardment Squadron

371st Bombardment Squadron

372d Bombardment Squadron

307th Air Refueling Squadron

The 307th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 410th Bombardment Wing, stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan. It was inactivated on 1 August 1990.-History:...

, (KB-29, 1951-1954)

Replaced B-29s with B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

in 1951

308th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1954)

Activated in October 1951

373d Bombardment Squadron

374th Bombardment Squadron

375th Bombardment Squadron

The 375th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 308th Bombardment Wing stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York.-History:...

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

310th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1952–1954)

Activated in March 1952

379th Bombardment Squadron

The 379th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 310th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Shilling Air Force Base, Kansas. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...

380th Bombardment Squadron

381st Bombardment Squadron

The 381st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 310th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Shilling Air Force Base, Kansas. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1954

320th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1952–1953)

Activated in December 1952

441st Bombardment Squadron

The 441st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Mather Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 30 September 1989.-History:...

442d Bombardment Squadron

The 442d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing, stationed at March Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 15 September 1960.-History:...

443d Bombardment Squadron

The 443d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing, stationed at March Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 15 September 1960.-History:...

444th Bombardment Squadron

The 444th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing, stationed at March Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 15 September 1960.-History:...

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1953

376th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1954)

Activated in May 1951

512th Bombardment Squadron

513th Bombardment Squadron

The 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 53d Electronic Warfare Group, stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.-Mission:...

514th Bombardment Squadron

Replaced by B-47 Stratojet

B-47 Stratojet

in 1954

509th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1947–1952)

Activated in November 1947

393d Bombardment Squadron

715th Bombardment Squadron

830th Bombardment Squadron

The 830th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 509th Bombardment Wing stationed at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.-History:...

509th Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1951-1954)

Replaced by B-50 Superfortress

B-50 Superfortress

in 1949

Tactical Air Command

After the Korean War and the phaseout of the B-29/KB-29 from SAC, KB-29s were acquired by Tactical Air Command

Tactical Air Command

Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...

to serve as dedicated aerial refueling tankers for Tactical Fighter aircraft to give TAC a worldwide deployment capability separate from SAC. However, it was found that the KB-29 was totally unsuitable for the refuelling of jet fighters because they were too slow. The KB-29s were replaced beginning in 1956 with faster KB-50s.

420th Air Refueling Squadron
420th Air Refueling Squadron
The 420th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 3d Air Force, stationed at RAF Sculthorpe, England...

, (KB-29M, 1954–1955) (USAFE)
421st Air Refueling Squadron
421st Air Refueling Squadron
The 421st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 41st Air Division, stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan. It was inactivated on 15 January 1965.-History:...

, (KB-29M, 1954–1955) (PACAF)
427th Air Refueling Squadron
427th Air Refueling Squadron
The 427th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4505th Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...

, (KB-29M, 1956–1959)
429th Air Refueling Squadron
429th Air Refueling Squadron
The 429th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4505th Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...

, (KB-29M, 1954–1958)
431st Air Refueling Squadron
431st Air Refueling Squadron
The 431st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4440th Air Delivery Group, stationed at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas...

, (KB-29M, 1957)
622d Air Refueling Squadron
622d Air Refueling Squadron
The 622d Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4440th Air Delivery Group, stationed at England Air Force Base, Louisiana...

, (KB-29M, 1955–1957)

Air Resupply And Communications Service

During the Cold War, the Military Air Transport Service

Military Air Transport Service

The Military Air Transport Service is an inactive Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command into a single, joint, unified command...

the controlling command for Air Commando units which performed special operations during the 1950s, including during the Korean War. As part of the equipment used by the Air Resupply And Communications Service

Air Resupply And Communications Service

The Air Resupply And Communications Service is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.- Mission :The mission of ARCS was:...

(ARCS) were B-29s modified for special operations missions.

580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing, (B-29, 1951–1956)
581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing
581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing
The 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing is an inactive United States Air Force wing. Its last duty assignment was at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.-Units:...

, (B-29, 1951–1956)
582nd Air Resupply and Communications Wing
582nd Air Resupply and Communications Wing
The 582d Air Resupply and Communications Wing is an inactive United States Air Force wing. Its last duty assignment was at RAF Molesworth, England.-History:The 582d ARW was activated at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho on 24 September 1952...

, (B-29, 1952–1956)

Air Weather Service

Air Weather Service (part of Military Air Transport Service

Military Air Transport Service

) received their first B-29s in various versions (B-29, RB-29, TB-29, WB-29) in 1946 AWS initially used B-29s in support of the 1946 Operation Crossroads

Operation Crossroads

Operation Crossroads was a series of nuclear weapon tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in mid-1946. It was the first test of a nuclear weapon after the Trinity nuclear test in July 1945...

atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll is an atoll, listed as a World Heritage Site, in the Micronesian Islands of the Pacific Ocean, part of Republic of the Marshall Islands....

.

Weather reconnaissance duties required special variant of the B-29. Armament and related equipment was removed and in place of upper forward turret astrodome was installed. Additional radio and specialized meteorological equipment was installed and such refitted aircraft was redesignated WB-29.. While the B-29's "public" mission was that of weather reconnaissance, the "covert" mission, that of atmospheric sampling for radiation debris, was perhaps the more critical task.

WB-29s soldiered on through the mid-1950s, providing critical data on tropical storms, nuclear tests, and many other routine but important reconnaissance tasks. But the airplanes were weary, and by 1956 were replaced by a modification of seventy-eight B-50Ds to WB-50 configuration.

53d Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

Kindley AFB, Bermuda

Bermuda

Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...

(B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1951-1956)

54th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

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...

(B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1951-1956)

55th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

Fairfield-Suisun AFB, (later McClellan AFB), California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

(B-29, 1946-1947. TB-29/WB-29, 1951-1955)

56th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

Yokota AB, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

(WB-29, 1951-1957)

57th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

Hickam AFB, Hawaii Territory (WB-29, 1951–1956)

58th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

Eielson AFB, Alaska Territory

Alaska Territory

The Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...

(WB-29, 1951–1956)

59th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)

Ladd AFB. Alaska Territory

Alaska Territory

(B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1955-1956)

512th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)* (B-29, 1949–1954 RB-29/WB-29, 1949–1951)
513th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)* (B-29, 1951–1954 RB-29/WB-29, 1950–1951)
514th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)* (B-29, 1951–1954 TB-29/RB-29/WB-29, 1947–1951)
1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Special) (later 2078th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron& (WB-29, 1948–1950)

NOTE: *Under operational control of Far East Air Forces flying combat weather reconnaissance missions over North Korea

North Korea

during the Korean War

Korean War

Weapons Systems Development/Testing

Air Technical Service Command/Air Materiel Command/Air Research and Development Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...

, Muroc AAF/AFB (later Edwards AFB), California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Air Proving Ground Command
Air Armament Center
The Air Armament Center is responsible for development, acquisition, testing, and deployment of all air-delivered weapons for the U.S. Air Force...

, Eglin AFB, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

B-29-96-BW serial number 45-21800 was used as the "mother" aircraft for launches of the Bell X-1 rocket-powered research aircraft at Edwards AFB. On October 14, 1947, Capt Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager was dropped in his X-1 from the B-29 and was credited as the first human to pilot an aircraft faster than the speed of sound.

Several B-29s were modified for various experimental purposes under the designation EB-29. Perhaps the best known of these was the EB-29 used as the carrier aircraft for the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin parasite fighter in 1948. The rear bomb bay was modified to carry a special cradle from which the XF-85 could be launched and retrieved in flight.

Other B-29s flown at Eglin/Muroc/Edwards AFB were XB-29E fire control test model; XG-29G (44-84043) which served as a flying test bed for J-35, J-47 and J-73 jet engines mounted in the bomb bay; the YB-29H used for special armament testing; YB-29J used for services testing of improved engine designs; QB-29 target drones. The CB-29K was an experimental transport version.

Beginning in 1954, the 4754th Radar Evaluation Squadron, Air Defense Command operated B-29s from various bases in the United States to provide ECM training and evaluation services to its radar site personnel. The B-29s contained an assortment of RADAR jamming devices to provide the required training of personnel.

4754th Radar Evaluation Electronics Counter-Countermeasure Flight, Hamilton AFB, California
4677th Radar Evaluation Electronics Counter-Countermeasure Flight, Hill AFB, Utah
4713th Radar Evaluation Flight, Griffiss AFB, New York
6023d Radar Evaluation Squadron, Naha AB, Okinawa (attached to Pacific Air Forces)

The last B-29 (a TB-29 radar evaluation aircraft, B-29-15-MO serial number 42-65234) was retired from the USAF inventory at 2010 hours on June 21, 1960, when Major Clarence C. Rarick of the 6023d Radar Evaluation Squadron landed at Naha Air Base

Naha Air Base

Naha Air Base is an airbase of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It was formerly under control of the United States Air Force. It is located at Naha Airport, Okinawa, Japan....

, Okinawa, bringing the era of B-29 Superfortress military service to an end.

United States Navy

The United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

received four B-29s on April 14, 1947 and redesignated as P2B. Two of these aircraft were in standard configuration (P2B-1S), two another were equipped with test radar and additional fuel tank in bomb bay (P2B-2S) .

P2B-1S BuNo 84028 (B-29-95-BW 45-21789)
P2B-1S BuNo 84029 (B-29-95-BW 45-21787)
P2B-2S BuNo 84030 (B-29-95-BW 45-21791)
P2B-2S BuNo 84031 (B-29-90-BW 44-87766)

Naval B-29s were used as test beds and as mother ships in various programs. One P2B-1S was extensively modified to carry the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket supersonic rocket-powered research aircraft. The first Skyrocket launch took place on September 8, 1950. The Skyrocket exceeded Mach 2 for the first time on November 20, 1953 (piloted by Scott Crossfield

Albert Scott Crossfield

Albert Scott Crossfield was an American naval officer and test pilot.-Biography:Born in Berkeley, California, Crossfield grew up in California and Washington. He served with the U.S. Navy as a flight instructor and fighter pilot during World War II...

). The last Skyrocket flight took place in December 1956.

P2B-1S BuNo 84029 was later transferred to NACA

NACA

- Organizations :* National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, the forerunner of the U.S. federal agency NASA* National Association for Campus Activities, an organization for programmers of university and college activities...

for continuation of high-speed flight tests and was redesignated as NACA-137. It was eventually sold to a civilian owner, a museum in Oakland, California. This was the only example of a flyable B-29 ever being sold to a civilian operator. This B-29 was flown on rare occasions under the civil registration N91329. After many years of inactivity, it was sold to the Kermit Weeks Aviation Museum of Miami, Florida. It was transported there disassembled in 1987. It was registered with the Weeks Museum as N29KW.

United Kingdom

After retirement of Avro Lincoln

Avro Lincoln

The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...

bombers, the Royal Air Force urgently needed interim aircraft for their bomber squadrons briefly as a "stop gap" in the early 1950s, prior to the build up of the RAF Canberra

English Electric Canberra

The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...

jet bomber force. This was considered an excellent arrangement from the RAF’s point of view as it provided experience of operating relatively modern equipment without diverting any of the development effort and investment from the Canberra and the V-Bombers.

A formal agreement with the USA was signed on January 27, 1950 and the USAF loaned the RAF seventy B-29 bombers which received the serials WF434-WF448, WF490-WF-514 and WF545-WF574. Later another 18 were delivered under serials WW342-WW356 and WZ966-WZ968. The aircraft received the service name Boeing Washington B.1 (B.1 from "Bomber Mark 1") with RAF Bomber Command

RAF Bomber Command

RAF Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. During World War II the command destroyed a significant proportion of Nazi Germany's industries and many German cities, and in the 1960s stood at the peak of its postwar military power with the V bombers and a supplemental...

from 1950 as a longer-range nuclear-capable bomber, pending the introduction of the English Electric Canberra in quantity.

Most of the airframes were taken out of USAF storage and many were virtually new, having been delivered at the end of the Pacific War, although a small number came from operational units. The first 4 aircraft were delivered to the Washington Conversion Unit at RAF Marham

RAF Marham

Royal Air Force Station Marham, more commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station; a military airbase, near the village of Marham in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia....

on March 22, 1950. All B-29s for the RAF were ferried by the crews of the 307th Bombardment Wing USAF. The first unit converted to Washingtons was No. 115 Squadron RAF

No. 115 Squadron RAF

No. 115 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron during World War I. It was then equipped with Handley Page O/400 heavy bombers. During World War II the squadron served as a bomber squadron and after the war it flew in a similar role till 1958, when it was engaged as a radio calibration unit...

which flown from USA in June 1950. Two RAF Washingtons took part in the Laurence Minot SAC

Strategic Air Command

bombing competition in 1951 alongside USAF B-29s.

Squadrons based at RAF Coningsby

RAF Coningsby

RAF Coningsby , is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England. It has been commanded by Group Captain Martin Sampson since 10 December 2010.-Operational units:...

were converted to English Electric Canberra bombers in 1953. Squadrons from RAF Marham were converted a year later. Most Washingtons were returned to the United States, being flown by RAF crews to Dover AFB; then subsequently to the aircraft storage facility at Davis-Monthan AFB. A small number of Washingtons remained in the United Kingdom, being used by 192 Sq. for Electronic Intelligence operations until 1958; later being used as ground target airframes for RAF combat aircraft.

Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...

RAF Marham
RAF Marham
Royal Air Force Station Marham, more commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station; a military airbase, near the village of Marham in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia....

No. 35 Squadron RAF

No. 90 Squadron RAF

No. 115 Squadron RAF

No. 207 Squadron RAF

RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby
RAF Coningsby , is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England. It has been commanded by Group Captain Martin Sampson since 10 December 2010.-Operational units:...

No. 15 Squadron RAF

No. 44 Squadron RAF

No. 44 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is no longer operational. For most of its history it served as a heavy bomber squadron.-History:...

No. 57 Squadron RAF

-History:57 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed on 8 June 1916 at Copmanthorpe, Yorkshire. In December 1916 the squadron was posted to France equipped with the FE2d. The squadron re-equipped with Airco DH4s in May 1917 and commenced long range bombing and reconnaissance operations near...

(moved from RAF Waddington

RAF Waddington

RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England.-Formation:Waddington opened as a Royal Flying Corps flying training station in 1916 until 1920, when the station went into care and maintenance....

in April 1952)

No. 149 Squadron RAF

No. 149 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron between 1918 and 1956. Formed 1918 in the Royal Flying Corps as a night-bomber unit, it remained in that role for the rest of its existence which spanned three periods between 1918 and 1956.-World War I:...

RAF Watton
RAF Watton
Royal Air Force Station Watton is a former military airfield in Norfolk, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southwest of East Dereham....

No. 192 Squadron RAF

No. 192 Squadron was a Royal Air Force squadron, operational during the First World War as a night training squadron, and during the Second World War as a radar countermeasure unit. After the war the squadron served again in the Electronic Intelligence role, until disbanded.-Formation in World War...

operated Washingtons between April 1952 and February 1958 .

Two ex-RAF Washingtons (WW354 and WW353) (former USAAF 44-61963; 44-62049) were turned over by the RAF to the Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...

Aeronautical Research and Development Unit in late 1952 and conducted trials for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Supply

Ministry of Supply

The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...

. They were assigned the RAAF serials A76-1 and A76-2. Both aircraft were retired in 1956 and sold for scrap in 1957.

Royal Australian Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force

Aeronautical Research and Development Unit

Combat Groups

Combat Reconnaissance Squadrons

Non-Combat Groups

Strategic Air Command (1946-1947)

Strategic Air Command

Tactical Air Command

Air Resupply And Communications Service

Air Weather Service

Weapons Systems Development/Testing

United States Navy

United Kingdom

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