KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- In an effort to honor the legacy of the 307th Bombardment Group and strengthen the connection between past and present Airmen, Col. David Martinez, commander of the 307th Bomb Wing, traveled to Kansas City, Kansas, to serve as the keynote speaker at the group’s reunion dinner July 1, 2025.
The reunion brought together former members of the 307th Bombardment Group that served in World War II and Korea, along with many family members of Airmen who have since passed away or are still listed as Missing in Action (MIA). The unit was originally activated in 1942 under the Army Air Forces following the attack on Pearl Harbor, which drew the United States into World War II against Japan.
For Col. Martinez, the reunion was not just an opportunity to learn from the past, but a chance to show gratitude and respect for those who helped shape the unit’s storied history.
“We're not here only to remember, but to reconnect, to shake hands with history, to laugh with those that share a common bond, to honor those who are no longer with us, and to remind ourselves and the next generation why the legacy of the 307 matters now more than ever, because let me tell you, the heart of the 307th has never been just the aircraft that we flew,” said Martinez.
Col. Martinez spent time with the veterans and their families, listening to their wartime stories, the challenges they faced, and the bonds they formed during their service. His presence emphasized the deep respect and appreciation that current wing leadership has for the veterans of the 307th.
As he concluded his speech, Martinez highlighted that the legacy of the 307th began during World War II and continues to be written today.
“The story of the 307 didn't end in World War II. It didn't end in Korea, Vietnam, and it didn't end with the Cold War or the global war on terror,” said Martinez. “It is still being written and it will be written by those who carry forward our values- integrity, first service, before self and excellence.”