307th Bomb Wing

MISSION

Provide Combat-Ready Airmen

 

VISION

Expert Airmen that are Resourced, Ready and Resilient

 

PRIORITIES

Resourcing, Readiness, Resiliency

 

QUICK FACTS

  • The 307th Bomb Wing is the only bomber unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.
  • The 93rd Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Wing’s training arm, provides all initial and requalification training for B-52 Stratofortress aircrew for the entire Air Force.
  • The 343rd Bomb Squadron, the 307th Bomb Wing’s B-52 combat arm, is the only nuclear certified squadron in the Air Force Reserve Command.
  • The 307th Bomb Wing operates a geographically separated unit, the 489th Bomb Group at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.
  • The 307th Bomb Wing is the only bomb wing in the Air Force flying two different platforms, the B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and the B-1 Lancer at Dyess AFB, Texas.
  • The 307th Bomb Wing operates Claiborne Range in Alexandria, Louisiana. The range hosts aircraft from various bases throughout the Department of Defense.

BACKGROUND

  • The 307th Bomb Wing is a diverse wing within the Air Force Reserve Command. It is responsible for flying and maintaining 20 B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and is the only bomb wing in the Air Force Reserve Command.
  • The 307th Operations Group oversees three squadrons: The 93rd Bomb Squadron, which operates as the B-52 Formal Training squadron and provides initial and requalification training for all B-52 aircrew in the Air Force; The 343rd Bomb Squadron, which performs the nuclear enterprise and global strike missions in classic association with the 2nd Operations Group, along with being the only nuclear-certified bomb squadron in AFRC; And the 307th Operations Support Squadron which provides intelligence, aircrew life support and range operations services that support all B-52 missions.
  •  The 489th Bomb Group, a geographically separated unit, operates in classic association with the 7th Operations Group at Dyess AFB flying the B-1B Lancer – making the 307th BW the only unit currently flying two bomber platforms. The wing also produces sorties for the 340th Weapons Squadron and the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron.
  • HISTORY
  • The 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated in 1942 by the Army Air Corps Combat Command. On April 15, 1942, the 307th began operations as a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber unit at Geiger Field, Washington. Its first mission--to guard the northwestern United States and Alaskan coasts against armed invasion. This prepared the group for its later role in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
  • After patrolling the coastline of America for five months, the 307th’s B-17s were replaced with B-24 “Liberators.” Subsequently, the entire unit was transferred to Sioux City, Iowa, for a brief training period.
  • After completing a three-week B-24 familiarization program, the 307th relocated its entire cadre and 35 bombers to Hamilton Field, California. Three days later, the B-24s deployed to Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. Finally settled at Oahu, 307th bombers began search and patrol missions over the surrounding Pacific area. Maintaining a 24-hour vigil, the bombers were to avert any naval attack against the Hawaiian Islands.
  • Group bombers received their first taste of combat December 27, 1942. Twenty-seven of the group’s aircraft were deployed from Oahu to Midway Island. From here, the B-24s staged their first attack against an enemy fortress on Wake Island. The enemy was taken by surprise during the predawn raid. Before Japanese units responded with a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, 307th bombers had blasted 90 percent of the Wake stronghold. All aircraft returned safely from what was considered the longest mass-raid of that time. It was from this mission that the 307th Bomb Group became known as “The Long Rangers”.
  • The 307th moved to Guadalcanal in February 1943. From their new location on the largest of the Solomon Islands, group bombers attacked fortified Japanese airfields and shipping installations within the Southwest Pacific.
  • On November 11, 1943, the 307th participated in the largest aerial strike of the South Pacific War. In conjunction with United States naval elements, group bombers pounded enemy war and merchant ships at Rabaul, New Guinea. Amidst swarms of Japanese “Zeros” and heavy anti-aircraft fire, 307th aircraft released their bombs, leaving the port of Rabaul in complete ruin.
  • Throughout the remainder of the war, 307th aircraft continued to cripple the debilitated enemy. Group elements neutralized Japanese forces at Yap, Truk, and Palau islands. Bombing strikes against Japanese shipping centers in the Philippines inhibited the enemy from gaining a further strong hold in the area. An unescorted attack by group aircraft against oil refineries at Balikapan, Borneo, October 3, 1944, helped assure an allied victory in the South Pacific.
  • Following V-J Day in August of 1945, 307th aircraft ferried former American war prisoners from Okinawa to Manila.
  • No longer needed, the group returned to the states in December 1945 and was subsequently deactivated.
  • While in the Pacific, the 307th was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations--one for an air strike against Truk on March 29, 1944 and another for a strike against the refineries at Borneo on October 3, 1944. The group was also awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its active role in the Philippines campaign.
  • The 307th Bombardment Group was reactivated August 4, 1946, located at MacDill Field, Florida, and flew the B-29 Superfortress.
  • Strategic Air Command then selected the 307th as its first antisubmarine unit in December 1946. Precursor to similar SAC units, the group acted as a “guinea pig” in the development of new anti-sub tactics and operational procedures.
  • The 307th continued to train as an anti-sub unit until war erupted in Korea. In 1950, the group was temporarily assigned to Kadena airfield on Okinawa. From the Okinawa airfield, group bombers staged attacks against the rapidly advancing communist forces in South Korea.
  • The 307th  flew 5,810 sorties and dropped 58,100 tons of high explosives in Korea during the conflict. While in Okinawa, the 307th was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its air strikes against enemy forces in Korea. It was also awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation and several campaign streamers.
  • The 307th returned to the United States in 1954, and was assigned to Lincoln AFB, Nebraska. The group’s B-29s were replaced with swept-winged B-47 Stratojets. The group was then designated as the 307th Bombardment Wing (Medium).
  • On July 1, 1955 the 307th Bomb Wing was placed under the command of the Eight Air Force. There were 43 B-47s and 21 KC-97 type aircraft assigned to the Wing.
  • In February 1958, at Lincoln AFB, the 307th crews participated in operation “Noon Day.” This operation supplied training for crews from the 307th and helped evaluate the defense capability of the 37th Air Division. Various radars were encountered and fighter opposition was F-84, F-89, F-94, F-100, and F-102’s. Sweep jamming and burst chaff tactics were used.
  • The 307th Bombardment Wing, along with other units at Lincoln AFB, was realigned under the SAC’s Second Air Force headquartered at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana on January 1, 1959. During its tenure at Lincoln AFB, the wing set records that may never be equaled again. It won a SAC Bomb Competition and participated in the Cuban Missile crisis. On October 1, 1959, the wing established a never broken SAC record for 2,327 consecutive sorties without deviation from the flying schedule, and they also won SAC’s coveted “Fairchild Trophy.” For the month of December, the 307th Bomb Wing was able to record the first 100 percent reliable high altitude synchronous bombing since conversion to B-47’s.
  • May 1960 witnessed the transfer of the 307th Air Refueling Squadron to Selfridge AFB, in Michigan. The ARS remained at Selfridge until deactivated in 1964. The unit was later reactivated and flew KC-135 tankers and served through the Persian Gulf War.
  • In 1961, the new Kennedy administration directed that half of the force be on 15-minute ground alert. This level was attained by the 307th in July. An accelerated B-47 phase out was also ordered to provide more trained crews for B-52s for the expanded ground alert.
  •  In response to President Kennedy’s missile crisis declaration to the nation, orders directed the initial dispersal of some 307th Bomb Wing personnel and aircraft to civilian airfields. Four aircraft were directed to General Mitchell Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eight aircraft were ordered to Duluth Municipal Airport, Duluth, Minnesota. All Reflex deployments and redeployments were canceled during the “Cuban Crisis.” The remaining aircraft at Lincoln were placed on alert. Following conclusion of the missile crisis, the aircrews were ordered to return from their dispersal bases to Lincoln.
  • While at Lincoln, the 307th functioned as a Combat Ready Unit, conducting combat training missions and maintaining an alert force commitment, both at Lincoln and overseas bases, until its deactivation on March 25, 1965.
  • The 307th was formed again as a tanker wing for the Vietnam Conflict, and later served as a B-52 Wing flying Arc Light missions. Under the operational nickname “Arc Light,” wing bombers flew over 35,000 strikes against the communist enemy from 1967 to mid-1970.
  • Designated the 307th Strategic Wing on 1 April 1970, the two-war veteran unit began operations as an aerial refueling wing. Equipped with KC-135 Stratotankers, the wing refueled Vietnam-bound fighters. It was deactivated on 30 September 1975. The wing was awarded four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” Device, and twice awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
  • During its brief history in Southeast Asia, the 307th received three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards--two of which were with other Eighth Air Force Units--for their role in the Vietnam Conflict.
  • The 307th Bomb Wing was reactivated at Barksdale AFB, La., on Jan 1, 2011, with the 93rd and 343rd Bomb Squadrons. The Wing is assigned 18 B-52H Stratofortress aircraft

(Current as of May 2025)