28th Bomb Wing

The 28th Bomb Wing (28 BW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Twelfth Air Force. It is stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The wing is also the host unit at Ellsworth.

The wing is one of only two B-1B Lancer strategic bomber wings in the United States Air Force, the other being the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

Active for over 60 years, the 28 BW was a component wing of Strategic Air Command's deterrent force throughout the Cold War.

The 28th Bomb Wing is commanded by Colonel Kevin B. Kennedy. Its Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Kevin S. Peterson.

Units

 * 28th Operations Group (Colonel John Nichols, current Commander)
 * 28th Operations Support Squadron
 * 34th Bomb Squadron
 * 37th Bomb Squadron


 * 28th Mission Support Group (Colonel Trent Edwards, current Commander)
 * 28th Civil Engineering Squadron
 * 28th Communications Squadron
 * 28th Contracting Squadron
 * 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron
 * 28th Force Support Squadron
 * 28th Security Forces Squadron


 * 28th Maintenance Group (Colonel James C. Katrenak, current Commander)
 * 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
 * 28th Maintenance Squadron
 * 28th Munitions Squadron
 * 28th Maintenance Operations Squadron


 * 28th Medical Group (Colonel Robert Ritter, current Commander)
 * 28th Medical Operations Squadron
 * 28th Medical Support Squadron

Background of name
The motto "Guardian of the North" hails from the 28th Operations Group's World War II service in Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, and the Kuril Islands. The 28th Bomb Wing carries on the traditions of the 28th Operations Group.

Myth: The motto "Guardian of the North" is not related in any way to the wing's Cold War service with B-52 Stratofortress bombers. Although this motto seems to dovetail nicely with the idea of guarding the north (whether spearheading an attack over the North Pole, or defending against one) from the Soviets, this is definitely not the case.

History

 * For additional history and lineage, see 28th Operations Group

The 28th Bomb Wing, under various designations, has been assigned to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota for over 60 years. It is the longest assigned active-duty unit at a single base in the United States Air Force.

Cold War
Established as 28 Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy on 28 July 1947. Maintained proficiency in heavy bombardment, 1947–1948. Maintained proficiency in global bombardment, deploying tactical components or segments thereof as needed, 1948–1950.

In March 1953 an RB-36 and its entire crew of 23 crashed in Newfoundland while returning from a routine exercise in Europe. On 13 June 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower made a personal visit to dedicate the base in memory of Brig Gen Richard E. Ellsworth, commander of the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, who lost his life in that accident.

Although the wing’s aerial reconnaissance capability lasted until September 1958, by April 1955 the Air Force had already changed the wing back to its former status as the 28th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, under the 15th Air Force (later attached to the 3rd Air Division), which specialized almost exclusively in ordnance delivery. Headquarters Strategic Air Command (SAC) reassigned the 28 BMW from 8th Air Force back to 15th Air Force in October 1955.

Approximately one year later, SAC set plans in motion to replace the 28th's B-36s with the new all-jet B-52 Stratofortress. The last B-36 left Ellsworth on 29 May 1957 and the first B-52 arrived sixteen days later. In 1958 all base units came under the command of the 821st Strategic Aerospace Division, headquartered at Ellsworth.

Deployed at Andersen AFB, Guam, April–July 1955. Added aerial refueling to mission in 1959 and began operating post-attack command and control system for Fifteenth Air Force in January 1965, maintaining this capability through a rear echelon during the absences of the remainder of the wing.

Controlled a non-equipped Titan missile squadron, December 1960 – December 1961. Except for a small rear echelon left at Ellsworth AFB, SD, the wing's headquarters staff, tactical aircraft and crews, and most support personnel were integrated into Arc Light forces for combat in Southeast Asia, c. 9 March – c. 21 September 1966, c. 15 January – c. 19 July 1968, and c. 9 September 1969 – c. 18 March 1970. From April 1972 to October 1973 the wing also had most of its tactical aircraft and crews on loan to SAC organizations involved in combat operations, and the wing continued supporting Pacific forces with planes and crews into 1975.

Converted from B-52G to B-52H models in 1977. Performed airborne launch control functions for USAF Minuteman missile wings with EC-135 aircraft and provided logistic support to the 44th Missile Wing. Expanded B-52H mission in 1984 to include sea reconnaissance, surveillance, and conventional operations from forward bases overseas. Upgraded tanker force to KC-135R in 1985–1986.

In 1986 the 28 BMW made extensive preparations to phase out the aging B-52 fleet and become the new home for the advanced B-1 Lancer. Contractors completed new unaccompanied enlisted dormitories in March, a new security police group headquarters in October, and gave Ellsworth's 13,497 foot runway a much-needed facelift. In addition, they completed new aircraft maintenance facilities for the complex new B-1B. In January 1987, the wing received the first of 35 B-1B bombers.

The 37 BS returned to operational duty with the 28 BW in January 1987, just in time to join the 77 BS in training on the new bombers. The first B-1B arrived on 21 January 1987. In July 1988 the 57th Air Division became the wing’s new higher headquarters. In 1989 the wing’s B-1Bs earned the Fairchild Trophy, Crumm Linebacker Trophy, Eaker Trophy, and the Omaha Trophy for superior bomber operations and the most outstanding wing in SAC. The wing also provided tanker support for Operation Just Cause, December 1989 – January 1990.

In July 1990 the Strategic Warfare Center became the latest of the wing’s intermediate headquarters. Adding to its extensive combat experience, the wing deployed both tanker and airborne command post aircraft to Operation’s Desert Shield/Desert Stormfrom August 1990 – March 1991.

On 1 September 1991 SAC redesignated the 28 BW as the 28th Wing, and once again assigned it directly under Eighth Air Force, and as part of the new objective wing organization, reactivated the old 28 BG under the new name of the 28th Operations Group. The 28th Wing also regained host wing responsibilities for Ellsworth AFB from the 44th Missile Wing.

Modern era
With the end of the Cold War, on 28 September 1991 the Secretary of Defense ordered B-1Bs and tankers off alert. The 4 ACCS continued to maintain an alert crew until May 1992. On 1 June 1992, simultaneously, SAC inactivated, Air Combat Command activated, the 28th Wing changed names to the 28th Bomb Wing, and the 28 AREFS became a geographically separated unit assigned to Malmstrom AFB, Montana. In September 1992 the 4 ACCS also inactivated, having effectively worked themselves out of a job by helping America’s deterrent resolve win the Cold War.

In 1993 the wing’s B-1Bs were the first in ACC to transition from their former strategic role to an all-conventional mission. The 28th’s operational squadrons could conceivably touch anywhere in the world to meet national defense needs. Ellsworth tested this concept in 1993 and early 1994 during such events as: “Team Spirit” (the first B-1Bs ever to land in South Korea); “Global Power” (various long-duration, round trip sorties flown from Ellsworth to bomb training ranges in another continent.); and “Bright Star” (the wing’s second but the B-1Bs first visit to a major JCS exercise in Southwest Asia).

From June through December 1994, 28 BW B-1Bs participated in a Congressionally directed operational readiness assessment known locally as “Dakota Challenge.” This test, conducted exclusively by the 28 BW, proved the B-1B to be a versatile and reliable weapon system; the mainstay of America’s heavy bomber fleet for years to come.

On 31 March 1995, the 77 BS—a unit that had served under the wing since 1948—inactivated. Its B-1Bs became part of ACC’s reconstitution reserve. This action freed funds to allow the Air Force to develop new precision-guided munitions. The Air Force announced in early 1996 that the 77 BS would once again activate under the 28 BW on 1 April 1997. In November 1998, they received the first Block D upgraded B-1B in the USAF inventory. The Block D upgrade brings the capability for the B-1 to drop the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), which is a global positioning system (GPS) guided munition. (These are the upgrades that were paid for with the funds that were freed during the 77 BS's inactivation).

One B-1B from the 28th Bomb Wing departed for Southwest Asia 18 December 1997 to support the president's request for additional bomber forces in the Operation Desert Fox theater of operation. The 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base also launched a B-1B 18 December. This brings the total number of B-1Bs in theater to six—three from Ellsworth and three from Dyess. B-1Bs from both bases saw their first combat action in air raids over Iraq 17 December 1997. Details on the number of B-1Bs used and battle damage assessment information is not being released; however, the missions were characterized as "very successful."

In December 1998, 28 BW deployed aircraft, which flew under the flag of the 28th Air Expeditionary Group in Operation Desert Fox, were the first B-1s to drop bombs on an enemy target.

In late March 2011, B-1 bombers from the 28th Bomb Wing were deployed on a mission to Libya to attack military targets in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.

Operations and Decorations

 * Combat Operations: Except for a small rear echelon left at Ellsworth AFB, SD, the wing's headquarters staff, tactical aircraft and crews, and most support personnel were integrated into ARC LIGHT forces for combat in Southeast Asia, c. 9 March-c. 21 September 1966, c. 15 January-c. 19 July 1968, and c. 9 September 1969-c. 18 March 1970. From Apr 1972 to Oct 1973 the wing also had most of its tactical aircraft and crews on loan to SAC organizations involved in combat operations, and the wing continued supporting Pacific forces with planes and crews into 1975.   In Nov 1997, deployed four B-1s and crews to Southwest Asia for a show of force against Iraq, the first real-world contingency use of the B-1 bomber. A year later (Nov 1998), the wing deployed three B-1s and crews to Southwest Asia for punitive attacks against Iraqi targets, the first combat use of the B-1. After terrorist attacks against the United States in Sep 2001, the wing deployed B-1 aircraft and crews to Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean, for bombing missions against enemy targets in Afghanistan.


 * Campaigns: None


 * Decorations: Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 1 June 2001 – 31 May 2003; 20 September 2001 – 17 January 2002 (conferred). Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 September 1957 – 30 June 1958; 1 January-31 Dec 1966; 1 January-1 Mar 1968; 2 March-1 Jul 1968; 9 June-10 Jul 1972; 1 July 1976 – 30 June 1978; 1 July 1978 – 30 June 1980; 1 July 1981 – 30 June 1983; 1 July 1988 – 30 June 1990; 1 June-30 Nov 1994; 1 June 1997 – 31 May 1999; 1 June 2003 – 31 May 2005.

In 1989, won the Fairchild Trophy for excellence in bombing and navigation and the Omaha Trophy, presented to the outstanding wing in SAC.

Lineage

 * Established as 28th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy on 28 July 1947
 * Organized on 15 August 1947
 * Re-designated: 28th Bombardment Wing, Medium on 12 July 1948
 * Re-designated: 28th Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 16 May 1949
 * Re-designated: 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing on 1 April 1950
 * Re-designated: 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Heavy on 16 July 1950
 * Re-designated: 28th Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 1 October 1955
 * Re-designated: 28th Wing on 1 September 1991
 * Re-designated: 28th Bomb Wing on 1 June 1992.


 * Designated as 28th Air Expeditionary Wing and in provisional status when wing elements deployed to combat areas after 11 September 2001

Assignments

 * Fifteenth Air Force, 15 August 1947
 * Eighth Air Force, 1 April 1950
 * Fifteenth Air Force, 1 April 1955
 * Attached to 3d Air Division, 14 April-24 July 1955


 * 821 Air (later, 821 Strategic Aerospace) Division, 1 January 1959
 * 47th Air Division, 30 June 1971
 * 4 Strategic Missile (later, 4 Air) Division, 15 January 1973
 * 57th Air Division, 1 May 1982


 * 4th Air Division, 23 January 1987
 * 12th Air Division, 15 July 1988
 * Strategic Warfare Center, 31 July 1990
 * Eighth Air Force, 1 September 1991
 * Twelfth Air Force, since 1 October 2002
 * Air Combat Command
 * Attached to United States Air Forces Central when units deployed to combat areas after 11 September 2001.

Components

 * Groups
 * 28th Bombardment (later, 28th Strategic Reconnaissance; 28th Operations) Group: 15 August 1947 – 16 June 1952; since 1 September 1991
 * Detached 19 July – 18 October 1948)


 * Squadrons
 * 4th Airborne Command and Control: 1 April 1970 – 1 September 1991


 * 37th Bomb Squadron: 1 July 1977 – 1 October 1982; 1 January 1987 – 1 September 1991
 * 77th Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 77th Bombardment) Squadron: attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 1 September 1991 (detached c. 9 March-c. 21 September 1966, c. 15 January-c. 19 July 1968, c. 19 August 1969-c. 23 March 1970).


 * 717th Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 717th Bombardment) Squadron: attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 1 February 1960
 * 718th Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 718th Bombardment) Squadron: attached 10 February 1951 – 15 June 1952, assigned 16 June 1952 – 20 February 1960


 * 928th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 February 1959 – 1 October 1960
 * Redesignated: 28th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 October 1960 – 1 September 1991 (detached c. 9 March-c. 21 September 1966, c. 15 January-c. 19 July 1968, c. 19 August 1969-c. 23 March 1970)


 * 97th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 July 1962 – 15 March 1964


 * 850th Strategic Missile Squadron: 1 December 1960 – 1 January 1962

Stations

 * Rapid City AAB (later, Rapid City Afld; Rapid City AFB; Ellsworth AFB), South Dakota, since 3 May 1947
 * 28th BG deployed at RAF Scampton, England, 19 July – 19 October 1948
 * 77th BS deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, c. 9 March – c. 21 September 1966, c. 15 January – c. 19 July 1968, and c. 9 September 1969 – c. 18 March 1970

Aircraft assigned

 * B-29 Superfortress, 1946–1950; RB-29, 1950
 * B-36D Peacemaker, 1949–1950; RB-36D (24), June 1950 – 1957 (Seven B-36Bs were converted to RB-36D); 10 later converted to GRB-36D (FICON). Several RB-36D aircraft temporarily assigned to 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron for duty during Korean War.
 * B-52 Stratofortress, 1957–1966, 1966–1968, 1968–1969, 1970–1986
 * B-52D, 1957–1971; B-52G, 1971–1977; B-52H, 1977–1986


 * KC-135 Stratotanker, 1959–1966, 1966–1968, 1968–1969, 1970–1992; EC-135, 1965–1992
 * KC-97 Stratotanker, 1962–1964
 * B-1B Lancer, since 1987

References for commands and major units assigned, components and stations: