22nd Bomb Wing - SAC - March AFB - B52
22nd Bombardment  Wing
22nd Air Refueling Wing
Motto: "We Lead"
PRIMARY WINGS
 
Based at: March AFB,  McConnell AFB
Aircraft: B-29, B-47, B-52, KC-97, KC-135, KC-10A
Status: Active as 22nd Air Refueling Wing
Squadrons: 2 BS, 6 BS, 9 BS, 19 BS, 33 BS, 352 BS, 408 BS, 486 BS, 22 AR, 320 AR, 909 AR 
Links: McConnell AFB History Office
World War II     
     The 22nd Bombardment Wing traces it's roots back to December 22, 1939, when it was formed as the 22nd Bombardment Group (Medium).  It became active on February 1, 1940, at Mitchell Field, NY.   In November 1940 the group moved to Langley Field, VA.  On December 7, 1941 a Japanese aircraft carrier task force attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The unit began deploying to Muroc Bombing Range, California, within 18 hours after the attack. Seventy-two hours after Pearl Harbor, the 22nd began flying anti-submarine operations over the Pacific Ocean.  It has a distinguished service record in the Pacific Theater flying B-24s, B-25, and B-26s. It became the 22nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it the only known Army Air Forces/Air Force unit to engage the enemy with distinction in three different types of aircraft. The group also gained the nickname "Red Raiders" named after the group commander’s, Col. Richard "Red" W. Robertson.
Post War B-29s
     After the war, the 22nd remained in the theater under Far East Air Forces, Pacific Air Forces' predecessor. In November 1945, the 22nd moved without personnel and equipment to Clark Field, Philippines. In April 1946, the group became the 22nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), and returned to Okinawa -- this time, to Kadena Air Base. The following month, the unit replaced their older planes for B-29 Superfortresses and remained in June 1946. 
Returned Stateside
     The group remained at Kadena until it moved to Smoky Hills AFB, near Salina, Kan. in May 1948. Like other combat groups during the now independent Air Force's first reorganization, the 22nd became subordinate to a newly created wing with the same number designation.  On 1 August 1948, the Group joined the newly created the 22nd Maintenance and Supply Group and the 22nd Air Base Group that made up the newly established the 22nd Bombardment Wing.  The 22nd Wing's headquarters was non-operational and its components. detached.  
   It moved to March AFB, California on May 10, 1949.  It was not operational, so it shared a commander with the First Fighter Wing.  The 22nd Bomb became operational on July 1, 1949.  The First Fighter Wing was attached to it and both wings shared the same commanding officer.
Korean War
    The 22nd Bomb Group's B-29s were detached from Nov. 14, 1949 to Feb. 20, 1950.  during this time, the wing controlled only the attached F-86 fighters of the First Fighter Wing.  The bomb group was detached again for combat in Korea, July 4 to Oct. 31 Oct 1950, and during this period the wing controlled no aircraft.  [See Korean War].   The wing deployed to Mildenhall RAF Station, England, from September to December 1951 
B-47s and KC-97s
     In 1952, the took delivery on KC-97 tankers, adding aerial refueling to it's mission.  The following year, the wing retired its B-29 fleet and replaced them with the jet powered B-47 "Stratojet."  It was the second wing to receive them.  (The first was the 303rd Bomb at Davis-Monthan).  In 1954, wing aircrews flew the longest non-stop mass flight in history: 5,840 miles from England to California.   The wing deployed to Upper Heyford RAF Station, England from December 1953 to Mar 1954.  It deployed at Andersen AFB, Guam from April to July 1957.
B-52 Stratofortress
   The 22nd received the new B-52B and was redesignated as the 22d Bomb Wing (Heavy) on March 15, 1963. It was then stationed at March AFB, California.  The first planes were assigned to the 2nd Bombardment Squadron.  The wing was not tactically operational 11 March 11, to September 15,1963, while converting to B–52 bombers and KC–135 tankers.  It supported Fifteenth Air Force’s post-attack command and control system with EC–135s from September1964 to March 1970.. The 22d was a "super" wing, 1966–1971, with two bombardment and two tanker squadrons.
Vietnam
     During the war in Vietnam, the 22nd Bombardment Wing deployed aircraft and crews several times, participating in operations such as Young Tiger, Rolling Thunder, Arc Light, and Linebacker II. In March 1973, the wing received an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its operations in Southeast Asia--the fourth in its history before returned to nuclear deterrence alert at the war's end.  
     From March 10 to October 1, 1967 the wing was reduced to a small "rear-echelon" non-tactical organization with all tactical resources and most support resources loaned to SAC organizations involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia. The wing continued to support SAC operations in the Far East and Southeast Asia through 1975, and from April 10, 1972 to October 29, 1973 again had all of its bomber resources loaned to other organizations for combat and contingency operations. KC–135 resources were also on loan from April 10  to September 1972.  Afterwards a few tankers returned to wing control. The wing maintained a strategic bombardment alert posture.
Later Missions
    In 1978, the 22nd bomb Wing assumed additional conventional warfare missions, including mine-laying and sea reconnaissance/surveillance.  It lost it's bombardment mission in 1982, but retained it's KC–135 and KC–10 aircraft and provided strategic air refueling and airlift in support of worldwide USAF and other DOD operations and training exercises.   It moved personnel and cargo in support of Chadian resistance to Libyan incursions in 1983 and conducted airlift and refueling missions during rescue of US nationals in Grenada, 1983. 
     The 22nd provided specialized refueling support to SR–71 aircraft reconnaissance operations worldwide, 1985–1990, and to the F–117 stealth aircraft program, beginning in 1987.  It supported F–117 deployments to Saudi Arabia and contributed aircraft and personnel to logistics efforts in support of the liberation of Kuwait, 1990– 1991. At the end of 1992, the 22d began flying humanitarian airlift missions to Somalia.  
New Mission and Base
     The 22nd lost its 486th Bomb Squadron in 1971 and it's 2nd Bomb Squadron.  With it's B-52s long gone, the days of the Red Raiders were history.  The 22nd was redesignated the 22d Air Refueling Wing on September 1, 1991.   In January 1994, it moved without personnel and equipment from March AFB to McConnell AFB, assuming the role of host wing.  Prior to that McConnell was home of the 384th Bomb Wing, which then became the 384 bomb group until it transferred it's Lancers the air reserve before inactivating on September 30, 1994.
     On January 1, 1995, the 931st Air Refueling Group joined activated at McConnell.  The Air Force Reserve associate unit provides aircrews while the 22nd provides the maintenance crews and aircraft. 
Status
     Now the 22nd Aerial Refueling Wing, stationed at McConnell AFB.
Components  
Wings. 
1st Fighter: Attached Jul 1, 1949 – Apr 1,1950. 
330 BW: Attached Jun 27, 1949 – Apr 30, 1951.  
Groups.
 22 BG (later, 22d Operations): Assigned Aug 1,1948 – Jun 16, 1952 (Detached Aug 1, 1948 –
       Jun 30, 1949, Nov 14, 1949 – Feb 20, 1950, Jul 4, – Oct 31, 1950); Sep 1,1991–
485th Operations: June 1, 1992 – Jul 1, 1993.  
Squadrons.
    2 BS Attached Feb 10, 1951 – Jun 15, 1952.  Assigned Jun 16, 1952– 15 Mar 1963;
       Assigned Sep 15, 1963 – Oct 1, 1982.  Flew B-52B from Sept 1963 until 1966 when it converted
       to B-52D, which it retained until 1982.  Flew B-52C (1957-1971) and B-52E (1968-1970.)
       Inactivated Oct 1, 1982
    6 BS: Assigned Jan 3, 1989 – Sep 1, 1991
    9 BS: Assigned  Aug 1, 1982 – Sep 1, 1991
  19 BS  Attached Feb 10, 1951 - June 15, 1952, Assigned Jun 16, 1952 – Mar 15, 1963
  33 BS  Attached Feb 10, 1951 - June 15,  1952, Assigned Jun 16, 1952– Mar 15, 1963
352 BS  Attached Sep 20 –c. Nov, 1951
408 BS: Assigned Jan 1, 1959 – Jan 1, 1962
486 BS: Assigned Oct 2, 1966 – Jul 1, 1971  Flew B-52D which it received fro the 340th Bomb Wing
        on Oct 10, 1966.  Flew them until 1971.  Also flew B-52C (1967-71) and B-52E (1968-1970)
        Inactivated July 1, 1971.
  22 AR: Attached Feb 10, 1951 – Jun 15, 1952, Assigned June 16, 1952 – Jun 15, 1960; 
        Assigned Jul 1, 1963 – Dec 1, 1989.
320 AR: Assigned June 16, 1960 – Sep 15, 1962
909 AR: Assigned June 15, 1966 – Jul 1, 1971.
New Information - Not yet edited

 

Constituted as the 22nd Bombardment Group (Medium) on December 22, 1939 and made active on February 1, 1940, at Mitchell Field, NY. The group served under the 2d Bombardment Wing. Made up of the 19th, 20th, 33rd Bombardment Squadrons and the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron, the group trained with the B-18 and B-26 bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. In November 1940 the group moved to Langley Field, VA. While at Langley, the 22nd trained in bombardment, reconnaissance, and sea surveillance. The 22nd’s crews also carried out operational missions, maintaining surveillance of the German submarines that patrolled off the American east coast.

On December 7, 1941 a Japanese aircraft carrier task force attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The unit began deploying to Muroc Bombing Range, California, within 18 hours after the attack. Seventy-two hours after Pearl Harbor, the 22nd began flying anti-submarine operations over the Pacific Ocean.

In February 1942, The group's B-26s were crated and shipped to Hickam Field, Hawaii. Once there, technicians reassembled and tested the aircraft. In late March the 22nd started its 3,480 journey to Australia, making it the longest mass deployment of an intact bomb group. On April 5, 1942, the group launched its first combat mission from bases in Australia. This action made the 22nd the first bomb unit to engage the enemy. The unit used its B-26 bombers to attack enemy shipping, installations and airfields in New Guinea and New Britain. The group also bombed troop concentrations, installations, and enemy merchant marine shipping in New Guinea. On November 5, 1943, the group bombed enemy entrenchments, near Dumpu and Wewak, aiding Australian ground force's efforts to liberate the island. This operation earned the 22nd its second Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) as stated in the award citation:
 

 

...the 22nd Bombardment Group (M), then consisting of one squadron of B-24s and three squadrons of B-25s based at Dobodura, New Guinea, to wipe out the Japanese positions. As the 32 medium bombers neared the target, cloud cover forced them down to a dangerously low altitude. Although they could honorably have turned back, they continued their descent, braved the concentrated antiaircraft fire, and accurately pinpointed over 23 tons of bombs on extremely small targets, difficult to locate because of the terrain and situated only a few hundred feet in front of the Australian forces. Every known enemy-occupied position in the area was destroyed, enabling the Australian ground troops to advance and drive out the remaining Japanese. The precision with which the 22nd Bombardment Group (M), smashed enemy entrenchments not only saved the ground troops from heavy casualties but also permitted the Allied drive to continue...

By replacing its B-25s and B-26s with B-24s in February 1944, the group became the 22nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) making it the only known Army Air Forces/Air Force unit to engage the enemy with distinction in three different types of aircraft. The group also gained the nickname "Red Raiders" named after the group commander’s, Col. Richard W. Robertson, first B-24.

Equipped with B-24s and operating from new bases in New Guinea, the 22nd attacked Japanese airfields, shipping and oil fields and installations in Borneo, Ceram and Halmahera. In September 1944, the group attacked the Japanese bases in the southern Philippines in preparation for the allied invasion of the island of Leyte. From December 1944 to August 1945, the Raiders attacked airfields and bases on the island of Luzon, the largest of the Philippine islands and location of the Capitol, in support of the allied forces' effort to liberate the islands. In addition, the group supported Australian ground forces on Borneo and bombed railways and industries in Formosa (today known as Taiwan or Republic of China) and China (Mainland China or Peoples Republic of China). The unit moved to Motobu, Okinawa, and flew reconnaissance missions over southern Japan.
 

 

After the war, the 22nd remained in the theater under Far East Air Forces, Pacific Air Forces' predecessor. In November 1945, the 22nd moved without personnel and equipment to Clark Field, Philippines. In April 1946, the group became the 22nd Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), and returned to Okinawa-- this time, to Kadena Air Base. The following month, the unit replaced their older planes for B-29 Superfortresses and remanned in June 1946. The group remained at Kadena until it moved to Smoky Hills AFB, near Salina, Kan. in May 1948.

Like other combat groups during the now independent Air Force's first reorganization, the 22nd became subordinate to a newly created wing with the same number designation. On 1 August 1948, the Group joined the newly created the 22nd Maintenance and Supply Group and the 22nd Air Base Group that made up the newly established the 22nd Bombardment Wing. In 1952, the Air Force reorganized, inactivating the groups.

After the Cold War, Air Force planners looked back to the first organization, what they called the objective wing, to restructure the Air Force in the post Cold War era.
Providing Air Force assets in support of world peace through readiness and the deterrence of armed aggression. This commitment also includes supporting the Department of Defense in many contingency situations, from strategic force projection and strategic force mobility, to humanitarian assistance. Assigned to the Air Mobility Command, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing is the host unit at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. Commanded by Colonel Frederick Roggero, the wing consists of four groups: the 22nd Operations Group, 22nd Logistics Group, 22nd Support Group and the 22nd Medical Group.

Activated as the 22nd Bombardment Wing on August 1, 1948 at Smoky Hill AFB, Kan., the wing shared its commander with the 301st Bombardment Wing until the 22nd moved to March AFB, Calif., on May 9, 1949. There, the 22nd had a commander in common with the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing until the fighter unit moved to George AFB, Calif., the next year.

In July 1950, the wing deployed its B-29s to Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, to participate in the Korean War. Operating from their island base, the 22nd’s Superfortresses bombed North Korean marshaling yards, airfields and industries. The unit also provided air support to United Nations ground forces defending the South Korean nation from the communist invaders. After eliminating all of its assigned strategic targets, the 22nd returned to March AFB in October 1950. In 1952, the wing added the KC-97 Stratofreighter tanker to its inventory.

The next year, the wing retired its B-29 fleet and replaced them with the jet powered B-47 "Stratojet." With this 600 mile-per-hour plane, wing aircrews flew the longest non-stop mass flight in history. It happened in 1954 when the 22nd's crews flew 5,840 miles from England to California.

The 22nd Air Refueling Wing converted to the KC-135 Stratotanker, a jet refueling tanker developed from the Boeing 707 airframe and the B-52B Stratofortress.

By late 1963, the wing had finished converting its bomber and tanker fleet to and assumed strategic alert status a short time later.

The Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964 brought the 22nd into its third major conflict in as many decades. The wing's KC-135s refueled Tactical Air Command aircraft deploying to Southeast Asia, and supported Strategic Air Command bombers on rotation to Anderson AFB, Guam.

During the war in Vietnam, the 22nd Bombardment Wing deployed aircraft and crews several times, participating in operations such as Young Tiger, Rolling Thunder, Arc Light, and Linebacker II. In March 1973, the wing received an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its operations in Southeast Asia--the fourth in its history before returned to nuclear deterrence alert at the war's end.

In August 1982, the wing received the first of its fleet of new KC-10A Extenders, making the 22nd the second Air Force unit to use the giant new tankers. Two months later, the wing lost its bomber mission and became the 22nd Air Refueling Wing. The 22nd used the KC-10A's cargo, passenger, and fuel load capacity to provide support during the evacuation of U.S. nationals in Grenada the next year. In December 1989, the wing's 22nd Air Refueling Squadron inactivated and all its KC-135A Stratotankers, retired or transferred to other SAC bases. This left the 6th and 9th ARS's as the wing's only flying squadrons.
 

 

In 1993, the Air Force turned its support toward the humanitarian assistance effort in Somalia in Operation Restore Hope. To support this tasking, the 22 ARW used its KC-10s to deploy 12,000 Marines and provide air refueling to Allied aircraft. Also in that year, the Congressional Base Realignment and Closure Commission and Department of Defense announced their recommendations for further base realignment and force restructuring. The plans called for transferring March AFB to the Air Force Reserve and moving the 6th and 9th ARS's and their KC-10s to move to Travis AFB, Calif. At the same time, USAF ordered the 22 ARW to replace the 384th Bomb Wing at McConnell AFB, Kan.

On January 3, 1994, the 22nd succeeded the 384th BW as McConnell's host unit. The bomber unit served as an associate unit until it transferred its B-1 Lancer fleet to the 184th Bomb Group, Kansas Air National Guard before inactivating in September 1994. The 384th Air Refueling Squadron, a geographically separated unit of the 19th Air Refueling Wing (Robins AFB, Geo.) and a previous McConnell tenant unit, joined the 22 ARW as the first of four KC-135 squadrons to comprise the wing's new tanker force. Within eight months, the 344th, 349th and the 350th joined the 384th to fly the wing's 48 KC-135s to provide global reach for America.