397th Bombardment Wing
Motto "Guardian of Freedom"
PRIMARY WINGS
Based at: Dow AFB, Maine
Aircraft: B-52, KC-135
Status: Inactivated April 25, 1968
Squadrons: 596 BS, 19 AR, 71 AR, 341 AR
Activation
     Established as the 397th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, and activated November 15, 1962.  Organized on February 1, 1963 at Dow AFB, Maine.
B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotankers
     The 397th replaced the 4038th Strategic Wing when organized.  It conducted bombardment training and air refueling operations to support SAC commitments.
Status
     Discontinued and inactivated April 25, 1968.
Components
Squadrons
596 BS: Assigned Feb 1, 1963 - April 25, 1968 (Detached April 1-25, 1968.  The 596th acquired
        the B-52Gs previously used by the 341 BS, 4038th Strategic Wing on February 1, 1963 and flew
        them until April 1, 1968, when detached to 2nd Bomb Wing control.  Moved to Barksdale AFB
        and officially reassigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing on April 15, 1968
  19 AR: Assigned Feb 1, 1963 - June 15, 1963
  71 AR: Assigned Feb 1, 1963 - April 25, 1968 (Detached April 1 - 25, 1968)
341 AR: Assigned Feb 1, 1963 - Sept 1, 1963 (Not operational July 15, - Sept 1, 1963)