303rd Bomb Wing - SAC - Davis-Monthan AFB

Based at: Davis-Monthan AFB
Aircraft: B-29, B-47, KB-29, KC-97
Status: Inactivated June 15, 1964
Squadrons: 358 BS, 359 BS, 360 BS, 427 BS, 43 AR, 303 AR

Activation
     Established as the 303rd Bombardment Wing, Medium on Aug 27, 1951. Activated on Sept. 4, 1951 at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
B-29 Superfortress and KB-29 tankers
     Flew B-29s and KB-29s from 1951 to 1953, training for strategic bombardment and air refueling operations to meet SAC's global commitments. Deployed at Sidi Slimane AB, French Morocco,
Oct 5 - Nov 6, 1952
B-47 Stratojet
      In April 1953, the 303rd was the first SAC bomb wing to receive the B-47E. Received KC-97 tankers the same year. The wing deployed to Greenham Common RAF Station, England March 4 to April 28, 1954; Fairford RAF Station , England April 28 - June 5, 1954 and Anderson AFB Guam July 4 - Oct 1956 and
April 5 - July 5, 1958. As the B-47 was phased out, the 303rd was at the right place. Davis-Monthan was the Air Force graveyard for old planes. Soon the proud B-47s were being melted down for their aluminum
Status
     Discontinued and inactivated June 15, 1964.
Components
Group
303 BG: Activated Sept 4, 1951 - June 16, 1952 (Not operational)
Squadrons
       The first three bomb squadrons flew B-29s, then B-47s. The 427th flew B-47s and was
       assigned as part of the B-47 consolidation phase down.
358 BS: Attached Sept 4, 1951 - June 15, 1952. Assigned June 16, 1952 - June 15, 1964
359 BS: Attached Sept 4, 1951 - June 15, 1952. Assigned June 16, 1952 - June 15, 1964
360 BS: Attached Sept 4, 1951 - June 15, 1952. Assigned June 16, 1952 - June 15, 1964
427 BS: Assigned Dec 1, 1958 - Jan 1, 1962 (Not operational Sept 1, 1961 - Jan 1, 1962)
    9 AR Attached Jan 15 - Oct 5, 1952 and Nov 5, 1952 - April 25, 1953
43 AR: Assigned March 15 - Nov 15, 1960
96 AR Attached c July - Oct 4, 1956
303 AR: Attached Sept 4, 1951-April 8, 952 (Not operational) Assigned Feb 18, 1953 - Feb. 1 1956
        (Detached April 19 - June 2, 1955)