40th Bomb Wing - SAC - Schilling AFB

Based at: Schilling AFB, Forbes AFB
Aircraft: B-47, KC-97, Atlas Missiles
Status: Unknown
Squadrons: 25 BS, 44 BS, 45 BS, 660 BS, 548 SM, 40 AR, 90 AR
Links: 40th-Bomb-Wing.com

Initial SAC Bomb Group
     The 40th Bombardment Group was one of the ten existing bombardment groups assigned to SAC when it was first formed March 21, 1946. The group flew B-29s in the Pacific Theater and was relocated to Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona. It turned in it's aircraft and was inactivated on Oct. 1, 1946. (See Original Bomb Groups).
Activation
    Established as the 40th Bombardment Wing, Medium on May 9, 1952. Activated at Schilling Air Force Base, (then Smoky Hill) on May 28, 1952.   Although activated, it was not manned until early February 1953, when it gained personnel and equipment from a provisional squadron originally established at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona as a holding unit for people and equipment surplus to another SAC wing. Received control and guidance from the 310th Bombardment Wing at Smoky Hill until May 1, 1953. By October 1953, all tactical squadrons were minimally operational. Flew B-29s in 1953-1954.
Air Refueling
     In 1953, the wing gained KC-97s and took on a refueling mission.
B-47 Stratojet
     Transitioned to the new all-jet B-47 in 1954 and became combat ready in 1955. Performed bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC's global commitments from 1955 to 1964. Deployed at Lakenheath RAF Station, England June 9, to September 9, 1955.   Deployed to Greenland Common RAF Station, England July - October 1957. Transferred to Forbes AFB June 20, 1960.
Atlas Missiles / Phase down
    At Forbes, the 40th Bomb Wing gained an Atlas missile squadron in January 1964, and was redesignated the 40th Strategic Aerospace Wing. Began phasing down for inactivation shortly thereafter and was non-operational from August 15, to Sept. 1, 1964. Discontinued and inactivated September 1, 1964.
Status:
     May have been reactivated. Need to find out
Components:
Squadrons:
        All four of the bomb squadrons flew the B-47 until it was phased out of SAC inventory.
     . The 660th assignment was part of a consolidation of planes during phase out.
   25 BS: Assigned May 28, 1951 - Sept. 1, 1964 (Not operational May 28, 1952 - April 3, 1953 and
        Aug 1 - Sept 1, 1964)
   44 BS: Assigned May 28, 1952- Set 1, 1964 (Not operational May 28, 1952 - May 3, 1, 1953
        and Aug 15, - Sept 1, 1964
   45 BS: Assigned May 28, 1952 - Sept 1, 1964 (Not operational May 28,1952 - Sept 30, 1953
        and Aug 15 - Sept 1, 1964)
660 BS: Assigned Feb. 1, 1959 - Jan 1, 1962.
548 SM: Assigned Jan 1 - Sept 1, 1964 (Detached Aug 1 - Sept 1, 1964)
40 AR: Assigned July 8, 1952 - June 1, 1950 (Not operational July 8 - Sept 7, 1952);
        Detached Sept 8, 1952 - April 30, 1953; March 1-10, 1954; May 4 - June 27,1955;
       Jan 25 - Sept 5, 1957, July 1 - Oct 1, 1957; and Oct 1958 - Jan 1959)
90 AR: Assigned: June 20, 1950 - Nov. 15, 1952