43rd STRATEGIC WING

Lineage. Established as 43d Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy, on 3 Nov 1947. Organized on 17 Nov 1947. Discontinued on 1 Aug 1948. Redesignated 43d Bombardment Wing, Medium, and activated on 1 Aug 1948. Inactivated on 31 Jan 1970. Redesignated 43d Strategic Wing on 4 Feb 1970. Activated on 1 Apr 1970. Redesignated 43d Bombardment Wing, Heavy, on 4 Nov 1986. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1990.

Assignments. Eighth Air Force, 17 Nov 1947-1 Aug 1948. Eighth Air Force, 1 Aug 1948; Fifteenth Air Force, 1 Apr 1950; 36th Air Division, 4 Sep 1951 (attached to 7th Air Division, c. 10 Mar-5 Jun 1953 and 5 Sep-10 Dec 1954; 3d Air Division, 1 Jul-1 Oct 1957); 19th Air Division, 15 Mar 1960 (attached to 825th Strategic Aerospace Division, 19-31 Aug 1964); 825th Strategic Aerospace Division, 1 Sep 1964; 42d Air Division, 1-31 Jan 1970. Eighth Air Force, 1 Apr 1970 (attached to Air Division Provisional, 57th, 1 Jun 1972-14 Nov 1973); 3d Air Division, 1 Jan 1975- -30 Sep 1990.

Components. Wing. 2d Bombardment: attached 17 Nov 1947-1 Aug 1948 (not operational) and 1 Aug-31 Dec 1948 (not operational). Groups. 2d: attached 17 Nov 1947-1 Aug 1948, 1-10 Aug 1948, and 9 Nov-31 Dec 1948. 43d: 17 Nov 1947-1 Aug 1948; 1 Aug 1948-16 Jun 1952 (detached 16 Aug-16 Nov 1949; not operational, 10 Feb 1951-16 Jun 1952). 459th: attached 27 Jun 1949-16 Jun 1951. Squadrons. 2d Air Refueling: attached c. 30 Apr 1949-16 Sep 1950 (not operational, 30 Apr-30 Jun 1949; further attached to 43d Bombardment Group, 1 Jul 1949-16 Sep 1950). 9th Air Refueling: attached 1 Aug 1951-15 Jan 1952 and 6 Oct-14 Nov 1952. 43d Air Refueling: attached 10 Feb 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-15 Mar 1960 (detached 18 Oct-28 Dec 1955). 60th: 1 Jul 1971- 30 April 1990 (not operational, 1 Jul 1971-c. Feb 1972). 63d: attached 10 Feb 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-31 Jan 1970. Bombardment Squadron Provisional, 63d: attached 15 Jun 1972-30 Jun 1975 (not operational, c. Nov 1973-30 Jun 1975). 64th: attached 10 Feb 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-31 Jan 1970 (not operational, 15 Mar-Aug 1960). 65th: attached 10 Feb 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-31 Jan 1970 (not operational, 15 Mar-Aug 1960). 70th Air Refueling: attached 19-31 Aug 1964, assigned 1 Sep 1964-1 Jan 1970. 307th Air Refueling: attached 16 Sep 1950-1 Aug 1951 (further attached to 43d Bombardment Group, 16 Sep 1950-9 Feb 1951). 403d: 1 Dec 1958-15 Mar 1960; 15 May 1960-1 Jan 1961 (not operational). 4182d: 1 Apr 1970-1 Jan 1971 (not operational).

Stations. Davis-Monthan Field (later, AFB), AZ, 17 Nov 1947-1 Aug 1948. Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1 Aug 1948; Carswell AFB, TX, 15 Mar 1960; Little Rock AFB, AR, 1 Sep 1964-31 Jan 1970. Andersen AFB, Guam, 1 Apr 1970-30 Sep 1990.

Aircraft. B-29, 1947-1948; B-50, 1948. B-29, 1948-1950; B-50, 1948-1954; KB-29, 1949-1953; KC-97,1953-1955,1955-1960; B-47, 1954-1960; YRB-58, 1960; B/TB-58, 1960-1970; TF-102, 1960-1962; KC-135, 1964-1970. Primarily B-52, 1970-1990; and KC-135, 1970-1972, 1973-1990; but also flew (on logistical support missions) C-97, 1970-1972; and C-118, 1973-1974.

Operations. Strategic bombardment training, 1947-1948 and 1948-1960, and air refueling, 1949-1960, to meet SAC’s global commitments. Wing personnel established flight records, flying two B-29s around the world in 1948 in 15 days, flying the B-50 Lucky nonstop around the world in 94 hours and 40 seconds in 1949, and setting a jet endurance record in 1954 by keeping a B-47 airborne for 47:35 hours. Converted to B-58 aircraft in 1960. From Mar 1960 to Jul 1961 flew YRB-58, TB-58, B-58, and TF-102 aircraft during Category II and III evaluations of the new supersonic bomber, while at the same time operating a combat crew training school to train SAC aircrews in the B-58 weapons system. Continued B-58 evaluations to Jul 1962, and from then until late 1969 served as one of two SAC B-58 wings with a strategic bombardment mission. Also controlled an air refueling squadron from Aug 1964 until inactivated in 1970. During the 1960s the wing continued to establish flight records. On 12 Jan 1961, wing personnel flew a B-58 over a 2,000 kilometer course at an average speed of 1,061.68 mph, and over a 1,000 kilometer course at an average speed of 1,200.194 mph. Two days later, another wing B-58 averaged 1,284.73 mph over a 1,000 kilometer course. In May 1961, a wing B-58 flew a closed course of 669.438 miles at 1,302.048 mph. That same month, another wing B-58 flew from New York City to Paris, France, in 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 44:53 seconds, establishing a new transatlantic speed record of 1,089.36 mph. During a race in 1962, a wing B-58 flew from Los Angeles to New York City at an average speed of 1,214.65 mph, from New York City to Los Angeles at an average speed of 1,081.8 mph, and from Los Angeles to New York City and back in 4 hours, 41 minutes, and 14.91 seconds. The 43d inactivated in Jan 1970, but activated again in Apr 1970, replacing the 3960th Strategic Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam. On 1 Jul 1970, the 43d also assumed tasks formerly handled by the Bombardment Wing Provisional, 4133d, assuming a combat role at this time. Employed attached aircraft and aircrews of other SAC units to participate in SAC’s “Arc Light” combat mission in Southeast Asia from 1 Jul to mid-Aug 1970, and again from Feb 1972 to Aug 1973. Following the end of combat operations, provided routine training and ground alert with B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, the latter provided by other SAC units on loan. During 1975, provided logistical and medical support to thousands of Vietnam refugees evacuated from their homeland and located temporarily at Guam awaiting resettlement. The wing trained to remain proficient in strategic and conventional warfare capabilities. Beginning in 1974 it controlled TDY tankers and crews participating in the Pacific (formerly Andersen) Tanker Task Force that supported SAC operations in the western Pacific. In July 1986 the 43d activated the 65th Strategic Squadron to control the TDY air refueling forces.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” Device: 1 Apr 1972-28 Jan 1973; 29 Jan-15 Nov 1973. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Aug 1960-1 Aug 1962; 1 May 1975-30 Apr 1977. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Balm: 1 Apr 1970-28 Jan 1973.

Emblem. Approved for 43d Group on 31 Jan 1942 and for 43d Wing on 14 May 1968.

Motto: WILLING, ABLE, READY.