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==Historical Strategic Air Command MAJCOM B-52 units==
==Historical Strategic Air Command MAJCOM B-52 units==
Strategic Wings wings were established by [[Strategic Air Command]] in the late 1950s to disburse it's B-52 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. A [[List of MAJCOM wings of the United States Air Force|4-Digit MAJCOM wing]], they were considered as temporary, provisional units.

Beginning in 1962, in order to retain the lineage of the Strategic Wings as 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. Component units were also redesignated to historically-linked units of the newly-established wing. Therefore the history, lineage and honors of the World War II historical units were bestowed upon the newly established wing upon activation.

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Revision as of 15:57, 15 June 2010

Boeing RB-52B-5-BO Stratofortress 52-005 with tail colour for the Yellowtails Squadron - 330th BS; taken May 2007 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, Colorado.
Strategic Air Command (1955-1992)
Air Combat Command (1992-Present)

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been operational with the United States Air Force since 1955. This list is of the units it was assigned to, and the bases it was stationed.

In addition to the USAF, A single RB-52B (52-008) was flown by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) until it was retired on 17 December 2001. It now is on static display at the west gate of Edwards AFB, California. One other B-52H (61-0025) was flown for many years by the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards, and was transferred to NASA on 30 July 2001 as a replacement for the RB-52B. On 9 May 2008, that aircraft was flown for the last time to Sheppard AFB, Texas where it became a GB-52H maintenance trainer, never to fly again.

Current USAF B-52 units

The only active operational model of the B-52 is the B-52H. It is currently stationed at two USAF bases, flown by three wings:[1]

11th Bomb Squadron (B-52H, Tail Code: LA, Gold Tail Stripe)
20th Bomb Squadron (B-52H, Tail Code: LA, Blue Tail Stripe)
96th Bomb Squadron (B-52H, Tail Code: LA, Red Tail Stripe)
23d Bomb Squadron (B-52H, Tail Code: MT, Red Tail Stripe)
69th Bomb Squadron (B-52H, Tail Code: MT)
93d Bomb Squadron (B-52H, Tail Code: BD, Blue/Gold Chex Tail Stripe)

Historical USAF B-52 units

Historical Strategic Air Command MAJCOM B-52 units

Strategic Wings wings were established by Strategic Air Command in the late 1950s to disburse it's B-52 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. A 4-Digit MAJCOM wing, they were considered as temporary, provisional units.

Beginning in 1962, in order to retain the lineage of the Strategic Wings as 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. Component units were also redesignated to historically-linked units of the newly-established wing. Therefore the history, lineage and honors of the World War II historical units were bestowed upon the newly established wing upon activation.

Provisional B-52 units

Activated in Aug 1990 for operation of B-52Gs deployed from United States during 1991 Gulf War. Inactivated March 1991
  • 4252d Strategic Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa
Provisional SAC MAJCOM unit, Apr 1967-Apr 1970 (Replaced by 376th Strategic Wing)
  • 4258th Strategic Wing, U-Tapao RTNAF, Thailand
Provisional SAC MAJCOM unit, Apr 1967-Apr 1970 (Replaced by 307th Strategic Wing)
  • 4300th Bombardment Wing (Provisional), Diego Garcia AB, Indian Ocean
Activated in Aug 1990 for operation of B-52Gs deployed from United States during 1991 Gulf War. Inactivated March 1991

References

  1. ^ Mehuron, Tamar A., Assoc. Editor. 2009 USAF Almanac, Fact and Figures, Air Force Magazine, May 2009.
  • Strategic Air Command.com article source.
  • Donald, David, Ed. US Air Force Air Power Directory, AIRtime Publishing Inc., Westport, CT, 1992
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