Activation
    Established as the 98th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy on October 24, 1947 and organized November 10th.  It was short-lived as the unit was discontinued on July 12, 1948.  Redesignated 98th Bombardment Wing, Medium and activated on July 12, 1948 at Spokane AFB, later renamed Fairchild AFB. It shared the base with the 92nd Bomb Wing.  
Korean War
     With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, both the 92nd and 98th Bomb Wings deployed to Japan and Okinawa. After only a few months, General Douglas MacArthur released the 92nd to return to the states while the 98th remained in the Far East.  During this time it's Fairchild headquarters was often manned as a "paper" unit with most of its it's components attached to other establishments for long periods. The wing's tactical units were operational, but under control of other organizations.  From November 1947 to March of 1951, they were often attached to the 92nd Bomb wing and between March 31, 1951 and Nov 15, 1953, to FEAT.  
     On April 1 1951, wing headquarters deployed to Japan to assume control over combat operation of the three tactical squadrons, while the remainder of the wing remained behind, attached to the 92nd, also out of Fairchild.  In June 1952, three maintenance squadrons joined the wing in Japan as did the small rear echelon of wing headquarters that had remained at Fairchild.  Combat operations in Korea involved interdiction of enemy communication and support of United Nations  ground forces, as well as propaganda leaflet drops.  The wing's last combat mission was flown on July 25, 1953 and was followed two days later - on the day of the truce - with a  propaganda leaflet drop.  Remained in Japan in combat ready status for another year.  
It all Comes Together
    During 1953, the wing components not deployed in Japan moved to newly reopened Lincoln AFB in Nebraska to supervise construction of a new home.  In June 1954, the bomber squadrons were at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, bidding farewell to their war weary B-29s.  July saw the headquarters, flying units and maintenance squadrons all at Lincoln.  It was the first time since 1947 that all of the wing components were located the same base, under wing control.
     The 98th Bomb Wing soon received B-47 Stratojets and KC-97 tankers.  Over the next decade, it participated in SAC's worldwide bombardment training and air refueling commitments.  It was deployed at Lakeheath RAF Station, England from November 11, 1955 to January 29, 1956.
The Twilight Years
    From January 1964 to April 1965, the 98th controlled an Atlas IBM squadron.  The wing was inactivated on June 5, 1966 at Lincoln AFB, but activated the same day at Torrejon Air Base, Spain replacing the 3970th Strategic Wing.  For the next decade, the 98th had no tactical components assigned to it, but rather used attached KC-15 tankers and crews furnished by other SAC wings to provide air refueling support for the operational, alert and exercise commitment of SAC, TAC, USAFE and NATO.  It operational area included the eastern Atlantic Ocean, most of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.  In October 1976, the 306th Strategic wing, based in West Germany, assumed this support task and the 98th phased down at Torrejon. 
Status
     Inactivated Dec. 31, 1976.
Components
Group
98 BG: Assigned Nov 10, 1947 - July 12, 1948 (Detached); July 12, 1948 - June 16, 1952 (Detached 
        July 12, 1948 - April 15, 1950 and Aug 2, 1950 - Mach 31, 1951; Not operational April 1, 1951 - 
        June 16, 1952.
Squadrons
        The wings first three squadrons flew B-29 from 1948 to 1954, when they received B-47s.
        In 1958, the 414 BS was assigned to the wing. It also flew B-47s.
343 BS: Attached April 1, 1951 - June 15, 1952.  Assigned June 16, 1952 - June 25, 1966.
        (Not operational Dec 8, 1964 - June 25, 1966)
344 BS: Attached April 1, 1951 - June 15, 1952.  Assigned June 16, 1952 - June 25, 1966
        (Not operational Dec 8, 1964 - June 25, 1966)
345 BS: Attached April 1, 1951 - June 15, 1952.  Assigned June 16, 1952 - June 25, 1966.
        (Not operational Dec 8, 1964 - June 25, 1966)
415 BS: Assigned Sept 1, 1958 - Jan 1, 1962 (Not operational Dec 1, 1961 - June 1, 1962)
  98 AR: Assigned Jun 16, 1952 - July 1, 1953 (Detached) Feb. 18, 1954 - April 15, 1963 (Detached
        Feb. 18 - July 31, 1954; Jan 7 - Feb 21, 1955; Dec 27, 956 - March 14, 1957; Dec. 28, 1957 - 
        March 25, 1958; April 1 - July 8, 1959 and Oct 2, 1962 - Jan 7, 1963.  Not operational April 2 -15, 1963
307 AR: Attached Nov 8, 1954 - Feb 1, 1955
380 AR: Assigned Aug 1 - Nov 8, 1954
515 SM: Assigned Jan 1, 1964 - June 25, 1965 (Not operational April 12 - June 25, 1965)