Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 3.5 inch-90mm
72nd AIR BASE WING (AFMC)
Lineage. Established as 72 Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 26 Sep 1941. Redesignated as 72 Reconnaissance Group (Special) on 25 Jun 1943. Disestablished on 1 Nov 1943. Reestablished as 72 Reconnaissance Group on 13 May 1947. Activated in the Reserve on 12 Jun 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Consolidated (31 Jan 1984) with the 72 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Heavy, which was established on 4 Jun 1952. Activated on 16 Jun 1952. Redesignated as 72 Bombardment Wing, Heavy, on 1 Oct 1955. Inactivated on 30 Jun 1971. Redesignated as 72 Air Base Wing on 16 Sep 1994. Activated on 1 Oct 1994.
Assignments. 2 Air Service Command, 26 Sep 1941; Service Command, Caribbean Air Force (later, 6 Air Force Base Command; VI Air Force Base Command; VI Air Force Service Command), Jan 1942; VI Air Force Ground Support Command, 15 Oct 1942; VI Air Force Service Command, 21 Aug–1 Nov 1943. 325 Reconnaissance Wing (later, 325 Air Division, Reconnaissance), 12 Jul 1947–27 Jun 1949. Second Air Force, 16 Jun 1952; Eighth Air Force, 1 Jan 1959; 823 Air Division, 1 Oct 1962–30 Jun 1971. Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, 1 Oct 1994; Air Force Sustainment Center, 1 Oct 2012-.
Components. Squadrons.1 Observation (later, 1 Reconnaissance): 26 Sep 1941–1 Nov 1943 (detached 10 Apr–c. 20 Jun 1942). 4 Observation: 29 Mar 1942–1 Jun 1943 (detached 29 Mar 1942–1 Jun 1943). 39 Observation: 7 Mar 1942–1 Jun 1943 (detached 6 Aug 1942–1 Jun 1943). 60 Reconnaissance (later, 60 Strategic Reconnaissance, 60 Bombardment): 12 Jul 1947–27 Jun 1949; 16 Jun 1952–30 Jun 1971. 73 Fighter (later, 73 Strategic Reconnaissance, 73 Bombardment): 1 Aug 1947–27 Jun 1949; 16 Jun 1952– 5 Jan 1959. 108 Observation (later, 108 Reconnaissance): 26 Sep 1941–1 Nov 1943. 124 Observation: 26 Sep 1941–12 Mar 1942. 301 Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 301 Bombardment): 16 Jun 1952–17 Jun 1959. 915 Air Refueling: 1 Sep 1958–30 Jun 1971.
Stations. Shreveport Municipal Airport, LA, 26 Sep 1941; Adams Field, AR, 2 Oct 1941; Marshall Field, KS, 11–27 Dec 1941; Howard Field, CZ, 18 Jan 1942–1 Nov 1943. Hamilton Field (later, AFB), CA, 12 Jul 1947–27 Jun 1949. Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, 16 Jun 1952–30 Jun 1971. Tinker AFB, OK, 1 Oct 1994–.
Aircraft. Primarily 0–47, 1941–1943; 0–49, 1941–1943; L–4, 1942–1943; B–18, 1942–1943; P–39, 1943. Unkn, 1947–1949. RB–36, 1952–1958; KC–135, 1958–1971; B–52, 1959–1971.
Operations. Activated during the summer-fall 1941 maneuvers in Louisiana. Manned from its component Observation Squadrons: 1st, 108th, and 124th. In the Panama Canal Zone, the group flew antisubmarine patrol missions, carried mail, searched for missing aircraft, provided reconnaissance support to ground forces, and occasionally did photographic mapping work until late 1943. Activated again as part of the reserve forces of Fourth Air Force, the organization participated in routine reserve training. Activated on paper in 1952, but not operational until it absorbed residual resources of 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in Oct 1952. Conducted global strategic reconnaissance 1953–1955, gradually shifting to a bombardment training mission beginning in 1954. Added air refueling to its global mission in 1958. Provided services and support for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center and its tenant organizations, 1 Oct 1994–.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Oct 1957–1 Jun 1958; 1 Jul 1968– 30 Jun 1969; 1 Jan 1995-31 Dec 1996; 1 Jan 1997-31 Dec 1998; 1 Jan 2005-31 Dec 2006; 1 Jul 2012- 30 Jun 2014.
Emblem. Approved on 29 Jun 1954; modified on 13 Oct 1995.