416th Bombardment Wing
Encyclopedia
The 416th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to Air Combat Command
, being stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base
, New York
. It was inactivated on 30 September 1995.
The wing's World War II
predecessor unit, the 416th Bombardment Group was a A-20 Havoc light Bomb Group assigned to Ninth Air Force
in Western Europe
. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions in France when, in spite of intense resistance, the group bombed bridges, railways, rolling stock, and a radar station to disrupt the German retreat through the Falaise-Argentan gap, 6–9 August 1944.
The 416 BW was primarily a Strategic Air Command
B-52 Stratofortress
organization that conducted strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations on a global scale to meet SAC commitments. 416th BW crews and aircraft were deployed to the Pacific during the Vietnam War
era to support SAC operations during the conflict.
It was inactivated as part of the Post-Cold War
drawdown of United States strategic forces in 1995 (BRAC 1993) and the closure of Griffiss AFB.
The origins of the 416th Bombardment Wing begin on 5 August 1958 when Strategic Air Command
established the 4039th Strategic Wing at Griffiss AFB, New York
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 75th Bombardment Squadron
, consisting of 15 B-52Gs, and the KC-135-equipped 41st Air Refueling Squadron
. Half of the aircraft were maintained on fifteen minute alert, fully fueled, armed, and ready for combat. SAC Strategic Wings were considered a provisional unit by HQ, USAF and could not carry a permanent history or lineage.
In 1962, in order to retain the lineage of its MAJCOM 4-digit combat units and to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive bombardment units with illustrious World War II
records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCOM strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
The 4039th SW was redesignated as the 416th Bombardment Wing (416th BW) on 1 February 1963 in a name-only redesigation and was assigned to SAC's Eighth Air Force
, 6th Air Division. The 75th BS was also redesignated as the 668th Bombardment Squadron
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons. The 41st ARS designation was unchanged, and component support units were also redesignated to the 410th 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. Therefore the history, lineage and honors of the 416th Bombardment Group were bestowed upon the newly established wing upon activation.
The 416th Bomb Wing continued to conduct strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet operational commitments of Strategic Air Command
, including deployments to Southeast Asia
during the Vietnam War
with tankers and crews, December 1964-December 1975, and with B-52 crews, June 1968-1975. The 416th BW assumed host wing responsibility at Griffiss AFB, NY, on 1 July 1970. Assigned to Air Combat Command
(ACC) after inactivation of SAC on 1 June 1992. Aircraft carried ACC Tail Code "GR". Inactivated in 1995 due to closure of Griffiss AFB. Transferred last two of the B-52Hs to the 5th Bomb Wing
at Minot AFB, North Dakota
on 15 November 1994 in preparation for inactivation.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
, being stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base
Griffiss Air Force Base
Griffiss Air Force Base, is a former United States Air Force base, located in Rome, New York, about NW of Utica. Missions at Griffiss AFB included fighter interceptors, electronic research, installation, and support activities, aerial refueling, and bombers...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was inactivated on 30 September 1995.
The wing's 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...
predecessor unit, the 416th Bombardment Group was a A-20 Havoc light Bomb Group assigned to Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
in Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions in France when, in spite of intense resistance, the group bombed bridges, railways, rolling stock, and a radar station to disrupt the German retreat through the Falaise-Argentan gap, 6–9 August 1944.
The 416 BW was primarily a Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
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...
organization that conducted strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations on a global scale to meet SAC commitments. 416th BW crews and aircraft were deployed to the Pacific during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
era to support SAC operations during the conflict.
It was inactivated as part of the Post-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...
drawdown of United States strategic forces in 1995 (BRAC 1993) and the closure of Griffiss AFB.
History
- For additional history and lineage, see 416th Air Expeditionary Operations Group
The origins of the 416th Bombardment Wing begin on 5 August 1958 when 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...
established the 4039th Strategic Wing at Griffiss AFB, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
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 75th Bombardment Squadron
75th Bombardment Squadron
The 75th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 4039th Strategic Wing, stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base, New York. It was inactivated on 1 February 1963.-History:...
, consisting of 15 B-52Gs, and the KC-135-equipped 41st Air Refueling Squadron
41st Air Refueling Squadron
The 41st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 416th Operations Group, stationed at Griffiss AFB, New York. It was inactivated on 15 February 1993...
. 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 4039th SW was redesignated as the 416th Bombardment Wing (416th 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....
, 6th Air Division. The 75th BS was also redesignated as the 668th Bombardment Squadron
668th Bombardment Squadron
The 668th Bomb Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 416th Operations Group. It was last stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, and was inactivated on 1 January 1995.-History:...
, one of the unit's World War II historical bomb squadrons. The 41st ARS designation was unchanged, and component support units were also redesignated to the 410th 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. Therefore the history, lineage and honors of the 416th Bombardment Group were bestowed upon the newly established wing upon activation.
The 416th Bomb Wing continued to conduct strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet operational commitments of Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, including deployments to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
with tankers and crews, December 1964-December 1975, and with B-52 crews, June 1968-1975. The 416th BW assumed host wing responsibility at Griffiss AFB, NY, on 1 July 1970. Assigned to Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(ACC) after inactivation of SAC on 1 June 1992. Aircraft carried ACC Tail Code "GR". Inactivated in 1995 due to closure of Griffiss AFB. Transferred last two of the B-52Hs to the 5th Bomb Wing
5th Bomb Wing
The 5th Bomb Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The wing is also the host unit at Minot...
at Minot AFB, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
on 15 November 1994 in preparation for inactivation.
Lineage
- Established as 416th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, on 15 November 1962
- Activated on 15 November 1962 Scheduled to replace the 4039th Strategic Wing 1 February 1963
- Organized on 1 February 1963 assuming the resources (Manpower, Aircraft, Equipment, Weapons, & Facilities of the) 4039th Strategic Wing
- Redesignated 416th Wing on 1 September 1991
- Redesignated 416th Bomb Wing on 1 June 1992
- Inactivated on 30 September 1995
Assignments
- 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 - 6th Air Division, 1 February 1963
- 57th Air Division, 2 July 1966
- 817th Air Division817th Air DivisionThe 817th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Second Air Force, being stationed at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire...
, 2 September 1966 - 45th Air Division45th Air DivisionThe 45th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force, stationed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. It was inactivated on 14 June 1989.-History:...
, 2 July 1969
- 40th Air Division40th Air DivisionThe 40th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Fifteenth Air Force, stationed at Malmstrom AFB, Montana...
, 30 June 1971 - 45th Air Division45th Air DivisionThe 45th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force, stationed at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. It was inactivated on 14 June 1989.-History:...
, 1 July 1973 - 40th Air Division40th Air DivisionThe 40th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Fifteenth Air Force, stationed at Malmstrom AFB, Montana...
, 1 December 1982 - Eighth Air ForceEighth Air ForceThe Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
, 8 June 1988-30 September 1995
Components
- 416th Operations Group, 1 September 1991-30 September 1995
- 41st Air Refueling Squadron41st Air Refueling SquadronThe 41st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 416th Operations Group, stationed at Griffiss AFB, New York. It was inactivated on 15 February 1993...
: 1 February 1963-15 February 1993 - 509th Air Refueling Squadron: 30 June 1990-28 September 1994
- 668th Bombardment Squadron668th Bombardment SquadronThe 668th Bomb Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 416th Operations Group. It was last stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, and was inactivated on 1 January 1995.-History:...
: 1 February 1963-1 January 1995
- Detachment 1 416th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) Otis AFB MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
2 Alert KC-135A's
- Shared with Detachment 1 99th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) based at Westover AFB, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
also with 2 Alert KC-135A's till April 1972- Detachment, 416th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) Minot AFB, North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
2 Alert B-52G's & 2 KC-135A's
- Detachment, 416th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) Minot AFB, North Dakota
- Shared with a Detachment 380th Bombardment Wing (Medium) based at Plattsburgh AFB, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
with 2 Alert KC-135A's Relocated after April 1972 but prior to October 1973 Attached to the 5th Bombardment Wing
Aircraft assigned
- 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...
- B-52G, 1963-1991; B-52H, 1991-1995
- KC-135 StratotankerKC-135 StratotankerThe Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
- KC-135 Stratotanker
- KC-135A, 1963-1990; KC-135R, 1990-1993
- T-37 Tweet, 1993–1995