17th Bombardment Wing Motto: "Ever Into Danger"

PRIMARY WINGS

Based at: Wright-Patterson AFB,  Beale AFB Aircraft: B-26, B-57, B-66, B-52, KC-135 Status: Deactivated Aug. 30, 1976 Squadrons: 34BS, 37BS, 95BS, 9AR, 803AR, 922AR Links:

Activation      Established as the 17th Bombardment Wing, Light on May 8, 1952, activated two days later at Pusan-East Air Base, Korea, where it replaced the 452nd Bombardment Wing Light.  It was attached the 5th Air Force, Tactical Air Command.  It was equipped with B-26s from World War II.  Korean War       From May 10, 1952 until July 27, 1953, the 17th Bombardment Wing conducted combat operations that included light bombardment, interdiction and armed reconnaissance.  It moved to Miho Air Base, Japan on October 10, 1954, where it maintained operational proficiency for light bombardment.        It returned to the United States and was assigned to  Eglin AFB, Florida on April 1, 1955.  On October 1, 1955, it was redesignated the 17th Bombardment Wing, Tactical.   It flew B-57s In 1956 and 1957, and B-66s from 1956 until 1958.  Inactivated June 25, 1958. Strategic Air Command      Redesignated the 17th Bombardment Wing, Heavy and activated on November 15, 1962.  It replaced the 4043rd Strategic Wing in February 1963 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and absorbed it's 42nd Bomb Squadron and 922nd Air Refueling Squadron.   It trained to maintain proficiency in strategic bombing and aerial refueling on a  global basis.  It furnished  B-52s KC-135 aircraft and crews to SAC units in Vietnam from 1966 to 1975.   Later years      Taken off alert at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio on June 30, 1975 and phased down, transferring aircraft by July 7.  Moved without personal or equipment to Beale AFB, California where it absorbed the resources  of the 456 Bomb Wing, including B-52 G and KC-135Q aircraft.  Continued global strategic bombardment alert until June 30, 1976 and used tanker aircraft primarily to refuel the SR-71s of the 9th Strategic reconnaissance Wing. Status    Inactivated on September 30, 1976 and replaced by the 100th Air Refueling Wing. Components Group   17th BG: 10 May 1952-15 June 1958 (not operational 8 June 1957 - 25 June 1848) Squadrons        All three bomb squadrons flew B-47s in 1957 and 1958.   34 BS Attached June 8, 1957- June 25, 1958 (Not operational Jan 17 - June 25, 1958);        Assigned Feb 1, 1963 - Sept 30, 1976 (Not operational July 8  - Sept 29, 1975        and July 14 - Sept 30 1976).  Acquired B-52E previously used by 42nd BS, 4043rd Strategic Wing        on Jan. 1, 1963.  Flew them until 1968, when received B-52H.  Disposed of the B-52H        in July 1975, and moved to Beale AFB on Sept 30, 1975, taking over the B-52Gs and personnel        previously assigned to the 456th Bombardment Wing.  Inactivated Sept. 30, 1976   37 BS Attached June 8, 1957 - June 25, 1958 (Not operational) May 10 - June 25, 1958)   95 BS Attached June 8, 1957 - June 25, 1958 (Not operational June 20-25, 1958)     9 AR: Assigned Sept 30, 1975 - Sept 30, 1976 803 AR Assigned Sept 30, 1975- Sept 30, 1976 922 AR - Assigned Feb.1, 1963 - Sept 30, 1975 (Not operational July 8 - Sept 30, 1975)