39th Air Base Wing
Encyclopedia
The 39th Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force
unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe
Third Air Force
. It is stationed at Incirlik Air Base
, Turkey. The wing is also the host unit at Incirlik .
The mission of the 39 ABW is to support and protect United States and NATO assets and people throughout Turkey while providing a full spectrum of capabilities to the warfighter. A non-flying unit, the 39 ABW also supports three geographically separated units.
Its origins begin with its predecessor, the World War II
39th Bombardment Group (39th BG) which was part of Twentieth Air Force
. The 39th Bomb Group's aircraft engaged in very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress
operations against Japan. Its aircraft were identified by a solid black square painted on the tail with an "P" inside. Active for over 40 years, the 39th Bombardment Wing was a component wing of Strategic Air Command
's deterrent force during the Cold War
.
The 39th Air Base Wing is commanded by Colonel Eric Beene. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Marcus R. Snoddy.
For US personnel stationed in other Turkish locations and surrounding countries, the 39th ABW acts as a hub of support. Key areas include supply, base infrastructure maintenance, security, medical services, airlift, and other services.
The 39th ABW has been providing support to Operation Enduring Freedom as C-17s supported by the unit provide airlifting of supplies and troops to Afghanistan
.
B-17 Flying Fortress bomb group, activated at Fort Douglas
, Utah in January 1941. After training, was assigned to Gieger Field, Washington as part of the Army Air Corps Northwest Air District in July. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the group initially flew antisubmarine patrols along the Northwest Pacific Coastline.
Reassigned to II Bomber Command
at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona
in February 1942 where the group became a B-17 Operational Training (OTU) unit for newly formed heavy bomb groups; later a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for replacement bomber crew members. Inactivated on 1 April 1944 with the end of heavy bomber training.
Reactivated the same day at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
as a Very Heavy B-29 Superfortress
bomb group, began training under Second Air Force
for deployment to the Pacific Theater. During April and the early part of May 1944, personnel was being assigned to the new Group in small numbers, but no aircraft were yet available. Four squadrons, the 60th, 61st, 62d and 402d were assigned to the group. On 10 May the 402d was inactivated due to personnel shortages, with its assets redistributed to other squadrons in the group. On 15 May the group was reassigned to Dalhart Army Airfield, Texas where the ground echelon was formed, and the operational squadrons trained with old II Bomber Command B-17s. In August, the unit returned to Smoky Hill where limited B-29 training was begun while waiting for the 499th Bomb Group to complete training and deploy to the Pacific.
Full-time training was finally initiated in October 1944 and ground school instruction began for all men of the unit. In January 1945, the air echelon deployed to Batista Army Airfield
, Cuba for flying and bombing training. The ground echelon departed on 8 January for Seattle, where it embarked on the S. S. Howell Lykes for North Field, Tinian. In the meantime, the air echelon had returned from Cuba and the Group was in the last stages of preparation for the ferrying of personnel and the new operational B-29s received from Boeing-Wichita.
The unit formed at North Field, Tinian in mid-February 1945. On 18 February, the group was assigned to its permanent unit, the 314th Bomb Wing
, which had just arrived from Colorado
. Upon arrival the group's personnel were engaged in Quonset hut construction. By mid-March most personnel were able to move into the huts from the initial tents which they were assigned on arrival
The group conducted its first mission against the Japanese home islands in April 1945. Supported Allied invasion of Okinawa by attacking airfields that served as bases for kamikaze pilots. Bombed military and industrial targets in Japan and participated in incendiary raids on urban areas from mid-May until the end of the war.
The 39th Bomb Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for an attack against the Otake oil refinery and storage area on Honshū
on 10 May 1945. Received a second Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing industrial and dock areas in Yokohama
and manufacturing districts in Tokyo, 23–29 May 1945.
Returned to the United States, November–December 1945 for inactivation.
established the 4135th Strategic Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida 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 301st Bombardment Squadron
, consisting of 15 B-52Gs. 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 4135th SW was redesignated as the 39th Bombardment Wing (39th BW) on 1 February 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's Eighth Air Force
, 822d Air Division
. The 301st BS was also redesignated as the 62d Bombardment Squadron
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons, and component support units were also redesignated to the 39thth 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 history, lineage and honors of the 39th Bombardment Group were bestowed upon the newly established wing upon activation.
The 39th BW trained to maintain combat readiness for strategic bombardment on global scale, maintaining airborne alert, ground alert, and participated in numerous exercises. On 25 June 1965 the wing's 62d BS was reassigned to the 2d Bombardment Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
to support SAC Arc Light
combat operations over Southeast Asia. The growing United States commitment to the Vietnam War meant funds were also needed to cover the costs of combat operations in Indochina
and the 39th Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 25 June. As part of the inactivation, SAC pulled out of Eglin and Tactical Air Command
became the main tenant unit, activating the 33d Tactical Fighter Wing at the base.
, Turkey, and replaced the 7216th Combat Support Group to control permanent support units and deployed weapons training detachments. The redesignation was part of the USAFE takeover of the base and its support functions. Known as TUSLOG (The United States Logistics Group) Detachment 10 within Turkey until 1 October 1982, it supported the USAFE and NATO operational missions in the Middle East. Provided disaster relief and mercy missions as required during fires, floods, earthquakes, and other such disasters. Provided support for US and NATO forces during operations in Southwest Asia, Eastern Europe, and Iraq, August 1990–present.
On 31 January 1984, the MAJCOM unit was consolidated with the AFCON 39th Bombardment Wing and 39th Bombardment Group and gave the host unit at Incirlik a unit with a combat lineage. The consolidated unit retained the designation of 39th Tactical Group.
It was redesignated the 39th Wing and upgraded to wing status on 1 October 1993. Since then the unit has provided operational and logistical support for all U.S. forces in Turkey and operated a Supreme Allied Command Europe Quick Reaction Alert Force.
From September 1997 – May 2003, the wing became the major force provider for the provisional 39th Air and Space Expeditionary Wing, which supported Operation Northern Watch
, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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 United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
. It is stationed at Incirlik Air Base
Incirlik Air Base
The Incirlik Air Base is located in İncirlik, five miles east of Adana, Turkey's fifth largest city, and from the Mediterranean Sea.The U.S...
, Turkey. The wing is also the host unit at Incirlik .
The mission of the 39 ABW is to support and protect United States and NATO assets and people throughout Turkey while providing a full spectrum of capabilities to the warfighter. A non-flying unit, the 39 ABW also supports three geographically separated units.
Its origins begin with its predecessor, the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
39th Bombardment Group (39th BG) which was part of 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...
. The 39th Bomb Group's aircraft engaged in very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
operations against Japan. Its aircraft were identified by a solid black square painted on the tail with an "P" inside. Active for over 40 years, the 39th Bombardment Wing was a component wing of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
's deterrent force during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
The 39th Air Base Wing is commanded by Colonel Eric Beene. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Marcus R. Snoddy.
Overview
Although the wing has no permanently assigned aircraft, it provides excellent facilities and supports the following areas:- Training deployments and regional exercises—besides its real-world operational support, Incirlik offers many training facilities. These facilities complement the area's cooperative weather, sparsely populated terrain and uncongested airspace. Pilots fly training sorties, including air-to-air, air-to-ground and low-altitude operations.
- Communications for National Command Authority taskings—Incirlik is a key communications link in the southern region.
- Hub support for various units—Incirlik provides vital support for numerous tenant and three geographically separated units located throughout Turkey. Key support includes medical services, supply, security and force protection, base infrastructure maintenance, communications support, transportation services, airlift, services and personnel support.
For US personnel stationed in other Turkish locations and surrounding countries, the 39th ABW acts as a hub of support. Key areas include supply, base infrastructure maintenance, security, medical services, airlift, and other services.
The 39th ABW has been providing support to Operation Enduring Freedom as C-17s supported by the unit provide airlifting of supplies and troops to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Units
- 39th Mission Support Group
- 39th Civil Engineer Squadron
- 39th Communications Squadron
- 39th Contracting Squadron
- 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 39th Mission Support Squadron
- 39th Security Forces Squadron
- 39th Services Squadron
- 39th Comptroller Squadron
- 39th Maintenance Group
- 39th Maintenance Squadron
- 39th Medical Group
- 39th Operations Squadron
- 728th Air Mobility Squadron
World War II
Established as the 39th Bombardment Group as a pre-World War IIWorld 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...
B-17 Flying Fortress bomb group, activated at Fort Douglas
Fort Douglas, Utah
Camp Douglas was established in October 1862 as a small military garrison about three miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the purpose of protecting the overland mail route and telegraph lines along the Central Overland Route. In 1878, the post was renamed Fort Douglas. The fort was officially...
, Utah in January 1941. After training, was assigned to Gieger Field, Washington as part of the Army Air Corps Northwest Air District in July. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the group initially flew antisubmarine patrols along the Northwest Pacific Coastline.
Reassigned to II Bomber Command
II Bomber Command
The II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
in February 1942 where the group became a B-17 Operational Training (OTU) unit for newly formed heavy bomb groups; later a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for replacement bomber crew members. Inactivated on 1 April 1944 with the end of heavy bomber training.
Reactivated the same day at Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
as a Very Heavy B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
bomb group, began training under 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 deployment to the Pacific Theater. During April and the early part of May 1944, personnel was being assigned to the new Group in small numbers, but no aircraft were yet available. Four squadrons, the 60th, 61st, 62d and 402d were assigned to the group. On 10 May the 402d was inactivated due to personnel shortages, with its assets redistributed to other squadrons in the group. On 15 May the group was reassigned to Dalhart Army Airfield, Texas where the ground echelon was formed, and the operational squadrons trained with old II Bomber Command B-17s. In August, the unit returned to Smoky Hill where limited B-29 training was begun while waiting for the 499th Bomb Group to complete training and deploy to the Pacific.
Full-time training was finally initiated in October 1944 and ground school instruction began for all men of the unit. In January 1945, the air echelon deployed to Batista Army Airfield
Batista Army Airfield
San Antonio de los Baños Air Base is a military air base located near San Antonio de los Baños, a municipality in the province of Havana in Cuba. It is located approximately southwest of the city of San Antonio de los Baños, about southwest of Havana.- 1942 :The station was built in 1942 and...
, Cuba for flying and bombing training. The ground echelon departed on 8 January for Seattle, where it embarked on the S. S. Howell Lykes for North Field, Tinian. In the meantime, the air echelon had returned from Cuba and the Group was in the last stages of preparation for the ferrying of personnel and the new operational B-29s received from Boeing-Wichita.
The unit formed at North Field, Tinian in mid-February 1945. On 18 February, the group was assigned to its permanent unit, the 314th Bomb Wing
314th Air Division
The 314th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Pacific Air Forces, based at Osan AB, South Korea. It was inactivated in September 1986....
, which had just arrived from Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Upon arrival the group's personnel were engaged in Quonset hut construction. By mid-March most personnel were able to move into the huts from the initial tents which they were assigned on arrival
The group conducted its first mission against the Japanese home islands in April 1945. Supported Allied invasion of Okinawa by attacking airfields that served as bases for kamikaze pilots. Bombed military and industrial targets in Japan and participated in incendiary raids on urban areas from mid-May until the end of the war.
The 39th Bomb Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for an attack against the Otake oil refinery and storage area on Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
on 10 May 1945. Received a second Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing industrial and dock areas in Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
and manufacturing districts in Tokyo, 23–29 May 1945.
Returned to the United States, November–December 1945 for inactivation.
Strategic Air Command
On 1 December 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 4135th Strategic Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida 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 301st Bombardment Squadron
301st Bombardment Squadron
The 301st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 4135th Strategic Wing. It was inactivated at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida on 1 February 1963.-History:...
, consisting of 15 B-52Gs. 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 4135th SW was redesignated as the 39th Bombardment Wing (39th BW) on 1 February 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's 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....
, 822d Air Division
822d Air Division
The 822d 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 Turner Air Force Base, Georgia...
. The 301st BS was also redesignated as the 62d Bombardment Squadron
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:...
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons, and component support units were also redesignated to the 39thth 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 history, lineage and honors of the 39th Bombardment Group were bestowed upon the newly established wing upon activation.
The 39th BW trained to maintain combat readiness for strategic bombardment on global scale, maintaining airborne alert, ground alert, and participated in numerous exercises. On 25 June 1965 the wing's 62d BS was reassigned to the 2d Bombardment Wing at 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...
to support SAC Arc Light
Arc Light
Arc Light is the debut novel by Eric L. Harry, a techno-thriller about limited nuclear war published in 1994 and written in 1991-2.As China and Russia clash in Siberia in June 1999, nuclear missiles strike the United States. The U.S. retaliates against Russia, and World War III begins...
combat operations over Southeast Asia. The growing United States commitment to the Vietnam War meant 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...
and the 39th Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 25 June. As part of the inactivation, SAC pulled out of Eglin and 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...
became the main tenant unit, activating the 33d Tactical Fighter Wing at the base.
United States Air Forces in Europe
On 1 April 1966 39th Tactical Group was activated at Incirlik Air BaseIncirlik Air Base
The Incirlik Air Base is located in İncirlik, five miles east of Adana, Turkey's fifth largest city, and from the Mediterranean Sea.The U.S...
, Turkey, and replaced the 7216th Combat Support Group to control permanent support units and deployed weapons training detachments. The redesignation was part of the USAFE takeover of the base and its support functions. Known as TUSLOG (The United States Logistics Group) Detachment 10 within Turkey until 1 October 1982, it supported the USAFE and NATO operational missions in the Middle East. Provided disaster relief and mercy missions as required during fires, floods, earthquakes, and other such disasters. Provided support for US and NATO forces during operations in Southwest Asia, Eastern Europe, and Iraq, August 1990–present.
On 31 January 1984, the MAJCOM unit was consolidated with the AFCON 39th Bombardment Wing and 39th Bombardment Group and gave the host unit at Incirlik a unit with a combat lineage. The consolidated unit retained the designation of 39th Tactical Group.
It was redesignated the 39th Wing and upgraded to wing status on 1 October 1993. Since then the unit has provided operational and logistical support for all U.S. forces in Turkey and operated a Supreme Allied Command Europe Quick Reaction Alert Force.
From September 1997 – May 2003, the wing became the major force provider for the provisional 39th Air and Space Expeditionary Wing, which supported Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...
, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lineage
- Established as 39th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 November 1940
- Activated on 15 January 1941
- Redesignated 39th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), 28 March 1944
- Inactivated/Activated on 1 April 1944
- Inactivated on 27 December 1945.
- Established as 39th Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 15 November 1962.
- Activated on 15 November 1962 to replace the 4135th Strategic Wing
- Organized on 1 February 1963 assuming the resources (Manpower, Aircraft, Equipment, Weapons, & Facilities) of the 4135th Strategic Wing (Inactivated).
- Organized on 1 February 1963
- Inactivated on 25 June 1965
- Established as 39th Tactical Group, and activated, on 14 March 1966
- Consolidated with 39th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, on 31 January 1984
- Consolidated organization retained designation of 39th Tactical Group
- Redesignated 39th Wing, 1 October 1993
- Deployed as: 39th Air & Space Expeditionary Wing (September 1997 – May 2003)
- Redeisgnated 39th Air Base Group, 6 July 2003.
- Redesignated 39th Air Base Wing, 12 March 2004
Assignments
- 5th Bombardment Wing, 15 January 1941
- II Bomber CommandII Bomber CommandThe II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
, 5 September 1941 - 16th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, 4 September 1943 – 1 April 1944
- XXI Bomber CommandXXI Bomber CommandThe 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:...
, 1 April 1944
- Attached to 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Very Heavy), c. 15 April 1944 – 8 January 1945
- 314th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy, c. 18 February-27 December 1945
- 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 - 822d Air Division822d Air DivisionThe 822d 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 Turner Air Force Base, Georgia...
, 1 February 1963 – 25 June 1965 - United States Air Forces in EuropeUnited States Air Forces in EuropeThe United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, 14 March 1966
- 7217th Air Division (Command), 1 April 1966
- Sixteenth Air ForceSixteenth Air ForceThe 16th Air Expeditionary Task Force is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe...
, 9 September 1970 - TUSLOG, [The United States Logistics Group], 15 October 1971
- Attached to 7440th Composite Wing Provisional, 16 January 1991 – 30 November 1995
- Sixteenth Air ForceSixteenth Air ForceThe 16th Air Expeditionary Task Force is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe...
, 17 July 1992 - United States Air Forces in EuropeUnited States Air Forces in EuropeThe United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
, 1 November 2005 - Air Command Europe, 18 November 2005
- Third Air Force (Air Forces Europe)Third Air ForceThe Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
, 1 December 2006–present
- Sixteenth Air Force
Stations
- Fort Douglas, Utah, 15 January 1941
- Geiger Field, Washington, 2 July 1941
- Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona, 5 February 1942 – 1 April 1944
- Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas, 1 April 1944 – 8 January 1945
- North FieldAndersen Air Force BaseAndersen Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam....
, GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Mariana IslandsMariana IslandsThe Mariana Islands are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east...
, 18 February – 17 November 1945 - Camp Anza, California, 15 – 27 December 1945
- Eglin AFB, Florida, 1 February 1963 – 25 June 1965
- Incirlik Air BaseIncirlik Air BaseThe Incirlik Air Base is located in İncirlik, five miles east of Adana, Turkey's fifth largest city, and from the Mediterranean Sea.The U.S...
, 1 April 1966 –
Operational Units
- 39th Operations Group: 1 October 1993 – 16 July 2003
- 39th Operations Squadron: 16 July 2003 –
- 12th Reconnaissance (later, 402d Bombardment) Squadron402d Bombardment SquadronThe 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:...
: attached 15 Jan 1941 – 24 Feb 1942, assigned 25 Feb 1942 – 1 Apr 1944; assigned 1 Apr-10 May 1944. - 60th Bombardment Squadron60th Bombardment SquadronThe 60th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 43d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 30 April 1990-History:...
: 15 Jan 1941 – 1 Apr 1944; 1 Apr 1944-27 Dec 1945. - 61st Bombardment Squadron61st Bombardment SquadronThe 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:...
: 15 Jan 1941 – 1 Apr 1944; 1 Apr 1944-27 Dec 1945. - 62d Bombardment Squadron62d Bombardment SquadronThe 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:...
: 15 Jan 1941 – 1 Apr 1944; 1 Apr 1944-27 Dec 1945; 1 Feb 1963 – 25 Jun 1965.
Aircraft
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1941 – 1942
- B-25 MitchellB-25 MitchellThe North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
, 1941 - B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
, 1942 – 1944 - 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...
, 1944 – 1945 - B-52 StratofortressB-52 StratofortressThe Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
, 1963 – 1965 - Controlled deployed aircraft, 1966 – 1997.