List of B-29 Superfortress operators



This is a list of B-29 Superfortress units consisting of nations, their air forces, and the unit assignments that used the B-29 during World War II, Korean War, and post war periods, including variants and other historical information

Delivery of the first YB-29 test aircraft (YB-29-BW 41-36954) to the USAAF was made in June 1943, being delivered to the 58th Bombardment Wing, 40th Bombardment Group. The first production B-29s began to roll off the production lines at Boeing-Wichita in September 1943, also going to the 58th BW.

The last B-29 was delivered by Boeing-Wichita (B-29-100-BW, 45-21872) in September 1945. 21872 was converted to a WB-29; being destroyed in a crash on 25 September 1953 near Eielson AFB, Alaska, when assigned to the 58th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), Weather.

Combat Groups
Army Air Forces B-29 groups and squadrons assigned to operations as part of the Pacific War against the Japanese Empire, 1944–1945. Includes units assigned to the XX Bomber Command in the China-Burma-India Theater (April 1944-February 1945), and to XXI Bomber Command in the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) (March–August 1945). Also includes groups and squadrons deployed to Okinawa assigned to Eighth Air Force, in July/August 1945 but did not engage in combat operations.


 * 6th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1947)
 * Reassigned from Sixth Air Force (ATO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, March 1944
 * XXI BC; 313th Bombardment Wing
 * Circle R Tail Code; North Field, Tinian
 * 24th Bombardment Squadron
 * 39th Bombardment Squadron
 * 40th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in October 1948


 * 9th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1947)
 * Reassigned from Sixth Air Force (ATO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, March 1944
 * XXI BC; 313th Bombardment Wing
 * Circle X Tail Code; North Field, Tinian
 * 1st Bombardment Squadron
 * 5th Bombardment Squadron
 * 99th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in October 1948


 * 16th Bombardment Group, (B-29B, 1944–1946)
 * Activated, April 1944
 * 15th Bombardment Squadron
 * 16th Bombardment Squadron
 * 17th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in April 1946


 * 19th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1954)
 * Reassigned from Fifth Air Force (SWPA)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944
 * XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing
 * Square M Tail Code; North Field, Guam
 * 28th Bombardment Squadron
 * 30th Bombardment Squadron
 * 93d Bombardment Squadron
 * Reassigned to: Twentieth Air Force (FEAF), May 1946
 * Reassigned to: 19th Bombardment Wing (FEAF), August 1948
 * Moved to: Andersen AFB, Guam, August 1948
 * Moved to: Kadena AB, Okinawa, June 1950
 * Combat in Korean War, 1950-1953
 * Reassigned to: Strategic Air Command in June 1954


 * 29th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944
 * XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing
 * Square O Tail Code; North Field, Guam
 * 6th Bombardment Squadron
 * 43d Bombardment Squadron
 * 52d Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in May 1946


 * 39th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1945)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944
 * XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing
 * Square P Tail Code; North Field, Guam
 * 60th Bombardment Squadron
 * 61st Bombardment Squadron
 * 62d Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in December 1945


 * 40th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)
 * Reassigned from Sixth Air Force (ATO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, November 1943
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944
 * XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing
 * Chakulia, India, Hsingching, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinian (XXI BC)
 * Triangle S Tail Code
 * 25th Bombardment Squadron
 * 44th Bombardment Squadron
 * 45th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in October 1946


 * 330th Bombardment Group (VH), (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1945)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, April 1944
 * XXI BC; 314th Bombardment Wing
 * Square K Tail Code; North Field, Guam
 * 457th Bombardment Squadron
 * 458th Bombardment Squadron
 * 459th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in November 1945


 * 331st Bombardment Group, (B-29B, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1944
 * XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing
 * Diamond L Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam
 * 355th Bombardment Squadron
 * 356th Bombardment Squadron
 * 357th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in April 1946


 * 333d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1944
 * Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing
 * Kadena Field, Okinawa
 * 435th Bombardment Squadron
 * 460th Bombardment Squadron
 * 507th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in May 1946


 * 346th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944
 * Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing
 * Kadena Field, Okinawa
 * 461st Bombardment Squadron
 * 462d Bombardment Squadron
 * 463d Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in June 1946


 * 382d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944
 * Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing
 * Kadena Field, Okinawa
 * 420th Bombardment Squadron
 * 464th Bombardment Squadron
 * 872d Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in January 1946


 * 383d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944
 * Eighth Air Force; 316th Bombardment Wing
 * Kadena Field, Okinawa
 * 876th Bombardment Squadron
 * 880th Bombardment Squadron
 * 884th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in January 1946


 * 444th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1944–1946)
 * Reassigned from II Bomber Command (ZI)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1944
 * XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing
 * Dudkhuadi, India, Kwanghan, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinian (XXI BC)
 * Triangle N Tail Code
 * 676th Bombardment Squadron
 * 677th Bombardment Squadron
 * 678th Bombardment Squadron
 * 679th Bombardment Squadron (1943-1944)
 * Inactivated in August 1946


 * 462d Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)
 * Activated, July 1943
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, November 1943
 * XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing
 * Piardpba, India, Kiunglai, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinian (XXI BC)
 * Triangle U Tail Code
 * 768th Bombardment Squadron
 * 769th Bombardment Squadron
 * 770th Bombardment Squadron
 * 771st Bombardment Squadron (1943-1944)
 * Inactivated in March 1946


 * 468th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)
 * Activated, August 1943
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, November 1943
 * XX BC; XXI BC; 59th Bombardment Wing
 * Kharagpur, India, Pengshan, China (XX BC); West Field, Tinian (XXI BC)
 * Triangle I Tail Code
 * 792d Bombardment Squadron
 * 793d Bombardment Squadron
 * 794th Bombardment Squadron
 * 795th Bombardment Squadron (1943-1944)
 * Inactivated in March 1946


 * 497th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)
 * Activated, November 1943
 * XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing
 * A Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan
 * 869th Bombardment Squadron
 * 870th Bombardment Squadron
 * 871st Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in March 1946


 * 498th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)
 * Activated, November 1943
 * XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing
 * T Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan
 * 873d Bombardment Squadron
 * 874th Bombardment Squadron
 * 875th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in August 1946


 * 499th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1943–1946)
 * Activated, November 1943
 * XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing
 * V Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan
 * 877th Bombardment Squadron
 * 878th Bombardment Squadron
 * 879th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in February 1946


 * 500th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1943–1946)
 * Activated, November 1943
 * XXI BC; 73d Bombardment Wing
 * Z Square Tail Code; Isley Field, Saipan
 * 881st Bombardment Squadron
 * 882d Bombardment Squadron
 * 883d Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in January 1946


 * 501st Bombardment Group, (B-29B, 1944–1946)
 * Activated, May 1944
 * XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing
 * Diamond Y Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam
 * 21st Bombardment Squadron
 * 41st Bombardment Squadron
 * 485th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in June 1946


 * 502d Bombardment Group, (B-29B, 1944–1946)
 * Activated, May 1944
 * XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing
 * Diamond H Tail Code; Northwest Field, Guam
 * 402d Bombardment Squadron
 * 411th Bombardment Squadron
 * 430th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in April 1946


 * 504th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1946)
 * Activated, March 1944
 * XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing
 * Circle E Tail Code; North Field, Tinian
 * 398th Bombardment Squadron
 * 421st Bombardment Squadron
 * 680th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in June 1946


 * 505th Bombardment Group, (B-29, B-29A, 1944–1946)
 * Activated, March 1944
 * XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing
 * Circle W Tail Code; North Field, Tinian
 * 482d Bombardment Squadron
 * 483d Bombardment Squadron
 * 484th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in June 1946


 * 509th Composite Group, (B-29, 1944; Silverplate B-29, 1945–1947)
 * Activated, December 1944
 * XXI BC; 315th Bombardment Wing
 * Various Tail Codes; North Field, Tinian
 * 393d Bombardment Squadron
 * Redesignated: 509th Bombardment Group, July 1946
 * Became part of Strategic Air Command; assigned to 509th Bombardment Wing in November 1947.

Combat Reconnaissance Squadrons

 * 1st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, (F-13A, 1944–1947)
 * 3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, (F-13A, 1944–1947)

Non-Combat Groups
Army Air Forces groups which were assigned to Second Air Force for conversion B-29 training during the summer of 1945. These groups were returned to the United States from the European Theater of Operations (ETO) after the German Capitulation in May 1945, and were programmed to redeploy to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) after their training was completed. However, the Japanese Capitulation and the end of combat in the PTO led to their inactivation after August 1945.


 * 98th Bombardment Group
 * Reassigned from Twelfth Air Force (MTO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1945
 * 343d Bombardment Squadron
 * 344th Bombardment Squadron
 * 345th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in November 1945


 * 450th Bombardment Group
 * Reassigned from Fifteenth Air Force (MTO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1945
 * 720th Bombardment Squadron
 * 721st Bombardment Squadron
 * 722d Bombardment Squadron
 * 723d Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in October 1945


 * 466th Bombardment Group
 * Reassigned from Eighth Air Force (ETO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945
 * 784th Bombardment Squadron
 * 785th Bombardment Squadron
 * 786th Bombardment Squadron
 * 787th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in October 1945


 * 489th Bombardment Group
 * Reassigned from Eighth Air Force (ETO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, March 1945
 * 844th Bombardment Squadron
 * 845th Bombardment Squadron
 * 846th Bombardment Squadron
 * 847th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in October 1945


 * 472d Bombardment Group (2d AF Operational Training Unit)*
 * Activated in September 1943
 * 808th Bombardment Squadron
 * 809th Bombardment Squadron
 * 810th Bombardment Squadron
 * 811th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in April 1944


 * 32d Composite Wing* (Twentieth Air Force)
 * Activated in August 1948 (RB-29, 1948-1949)
 * 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * Inactivated in April 1949


 * 5th Bombardment (later Reconnaissance) Group (Thirteenth Air Force)*
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, Apr 1946 (B-29)
 * Redesignated Reconnaissance Group, Mar 1947 (F-13A, later RB-29)
 * 5th Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 23d Bombardment (later Reconnaissance) Squadron
 * 31st Bombardment (later Reconnaissance) Squadron
 * 38th Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 338th Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 394th Bombardment Squadron
 * Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, May 1949
 * Assigned to: 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, July 1949

.* Note: The 472d Bombardment Group was a Second Air Force Operational Training Unit for initial B-29 crew training established in 1943; the 5th Bombardment Group was redesignated and reequipped as a B-29 unit by Far East Air Forces and assigned to Thirteenth Air Force in the Philippines in 1946 from aircraft and equipment of former XXI Bomber Command units which had inactivated. The 5th BG was a prewar bomb group assigned to Hawaii at the time of the Pearl Harbor Attack; its B-17s largely destroyed on the ground at Hickam Field. The unit was reformed into a B-24 Liberator heavy bomb group after the attack and was assigned to Thirteenth AF during the war; the 32d Composite Wing flew RB-29s for Far East Air Forces in the late 1940s, primarily as photo-mapping aircraft over China, Formosa, Indochina and Korea.

Strategic Air Command (Groups)
Army Air Forces B-29 bomb groups assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) after the command's establishment in March 1946. Includes groups were returned to the United States from the European Theater and were programmed to redeploy to the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) after their B-29 conversion training was completed. These units were retained on active service after the Japanese Capitulation in August 1945 and were assigned to Continental Air Forces (CAF). In March 1946 were transferred to SAC upon redesignation of CAF to SAC.

Many of these units and squadrons were undermanned and under-equipped due to the rapid demobilization of the armed forces in this period. In addition, frequent inactivations and activations were made, with older, prewar units being reactivated in place of younger, wartime units. Up until the end of the Korean War, SAC used tail markings that consisted of a combination of geometric shapes and letters. The shape would indicate the Numbered Air Force, with a triangle representing the Eighth Air Force; a circle for Fifteenth Air Force and a square for Second Air Force. This system was phased out in 1953.


 * 2d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1947-1948)
 * Activated in July 1947
 * Chatam AFB, Georgia
 * Tail Code: Empty Square
 * 20th Bombardment Squadron
 * 49th Bombardment Squadron
 * 96th Bombardment Squadron
 * Re-equipped with B-50 Superfortress, July 1948


 * 7th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1948)
 * Activated in October 1946
 * Carswell AFB, Texas
 * Tail Code: Empty Triangle
 * 9th Bombardment Squadron
 * 436th Bombardment Squadron
 * 492d Bombardment Squadron
 * Re-equipped with B-36 Peacemaker, July 1948


 * 22d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1948–1952)
 * Reassigned from Fifth Air Force (WPA)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, June 1946
 * March AFB, California
 * Tail Code: Circle-E
 * 2d Bombardment Squadron
 * 19th Bombardment Squadron
 * 33d Bombardment Squadron
 * Group assigned to 22d Bombardment Wing, June 1952


 * 28th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1950)
 * Activated in July 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 449th Bombardment Group
 * Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
 * Tail Code: Triangle-S
 * 77th Bombardment Squadron
 * 717th Bombardment Squadron
 * 718th Bombardment Squadron
 * Re-equipped with RB-29 Superfortress, April 1950
 * Re-equipped with B-36 Peacemaker, July 1950


 * 43d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1948)
 * Activated in October 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 444th Bombardment Group
 * Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
 * Tail Code: Circle-K
 * 63d Bombardment Squadron
 * 64th Bombardment Squadron
 * 65th Bombardment Squadron
 * Re-equipped with B-50 Superfortress, July 1948


 * 92d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1952)
 * Reassigned from Eighth Air Force (ETO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1946
 * Fairchild AFB, Washington
 * Tail Code: Circle-W
 * 325th Bombardment Squadron
 * 326th Bombardment Squadron
 * 327th Bombardment Squadron
 * Group assigned to 92d Bombardment Wing, June 1952


 * 93d Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1947–1949)
 * Reassigned from Eighth Air Force (ETO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, July 1945
 * Castle AFB, California
 * Tail Code: Circle-M
 * 328th Bombardment Squadron
 * 329th Bombardment Squadron
 * 330th Bombardment Squadron
 * Re-equipped with B-50 Superfortress, July 1949


 * 97th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1949)
 * Activated in August 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 485th Bombardment Group
 * Eielson AFB, Alaska; Smoky Hill AFB, Kansas; Biggs AFB, Texas
 * Tail Code: Triangle-O
 * 340th Bombardment Squadron
 * 341st Bombardment Squadron
 * 342d Bombardment Squadron
 * Re-equipped with B-50 Superfortress, July 1949


 * 301st Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1946–1952)
 * Activated in August 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 467th Bombardment Group
 * Smoky Hill AFB, Kansas
 * Tail Code: Square-A
 * 32d Bombardment Squadron
 * 352d Bombardment Squadron
 * 353d Bombardment Squadron
 * Group assigned to 301st Bombardment Wing, June 1952


 * 307th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1947–1952)
 * Activated in August 1946 from a/p/e of inactivated 498th Bombardment Group
 * MacDill AFB, Florida; Yokota AB, Japan
 * Tail Code: Square-Y
 * 370th Bombardment Squadron
 * 371st Bombardment Squadron
 * 372d Bombardment Squadron
 * Group assigned to 307th Bombardment Wing, June 1952


 * 448th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)
 * Reassigned from Eighth Air Force (ETO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945
 * Fort Worth Army Airfield, Texas
 * Tail Code: Triangle-N
 * 712th Bombardment Squadron
 * 713th Bombardment Squadron
 * 714th Bombardment Squadron
 * 715th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated August 1946


 * 449th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)
 * Reassigned from Fifteenth Air Force (MTO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, May 1945
 * Fort Worth Army Airfield, Texas
 * 716th Bombardment Squadron
 * 717th Bombardment Squadron
 * 718th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated August 1946, Aircraft Reassigned to 28th Bombardment Group


 * 458th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)
 * Reassigned from Eighth Air Force (ETO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945
 * March Field, California
 * 752d Bombardment Squadron
 * 753d Bombardment Squadron
 * 754th Bombardment Squadron
 * 755th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated in July 1946


 * 485th Bombardment Group, (B-29, 1945–1946)
 * Reassigned from Fifteenth Air Force (MTO)
 * Redesignated Very Heavy BG, August 1945
 * Smoky Hill Army Airfield, Kansas
 * 506th Bombardment Squadron
 * 828th Bombardment Squadron
 * 829th Bombardment Squadron
 * 830th Bombardment Squadron
 * Inactivated August 1946


 * 509th Bombardment Group
 * See Combat Groups Section

SAC Reconnaissance Squadrons

 * 9th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range), (F-13A, 1949)
 * Assigned to: 314th Composite Wing, 20 June 1946-20 October 1947


 * 16th Photographic Squadron, (F-13A 1947)
 * Assigned to: 55th Reconnaissance Group, 1 June-16 December 1947


 * 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range), (F-13A, 1947–1948)
 * Assigned to: 71st Reconnaissance Group


 * 46th/72d Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Photographic), (F-13A, 1946–1947)
 * Assigned to: Strategic Air Command, 1 May 1946-13 October 1947
 * Attached entire time to: Yukon Sector, Alaskan Air Command

Strategic Air Command (Wings)
The B-29 was the mainstay of Strategic Air Command after World War II until the Korean War. B-29 "Very Heavy" bomber units were redesignated "Medium" with the introduction of the B-36 Peacemaker into the inventory in 1948, with some units transitioning to the B-36/RB-36 beginning in 1949. The B-50 Superfortress, an advanced version of the B-29 was also introduced in 1949.

SAC deployed non nuclear-capable B-29 groups to Far East Air Forces in 1950 to conduct strategic bombardment missions over the skies of North Korea, however the aircraft was made obsolete by the development of Soviet jet-powered interceptors such as the MiG-15. The B-29 soldiered on for a more few years in the strategic bombardment role, but by 1955 was replaced by the B-47 Stratojet medium bomber.

In 1950, conversions of B-29s to KB-29P aerial tankers began to reach SAC squadrons. KB-29s were in service with SAC until being replaced by the KC-97 Stratotanker (which was itself based on the B-29) by 1955.


 * 1st Fighter Wing, (B-29, 1949)
 * March AFB, California
 * Assigned to Headquarters 1st FW while attached to 22d Bombardment Wing


 * 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (B-29, 1949; RB-29, 1949–1951; KB-29 1949-1951)
 * Activated in July 1949
 * Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
 * Tail Code: Circle-X
 * 23d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 72d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * Replaced by RB-36D Peacemaker in 1951


 * 6th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1951–1952)
 * Activated in January 1951
 * Walker AFB, New Mexico
 * Tail Code: Empty Triangle
 * 24th Bombardment Squadron
 * 39th Bombardment Squadron
 * 40th Bombardment Squadron
 * 6th Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1951-1952)
 * Replaced by B-36D Peacemaker in 1951


 * 9th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1949–1954; RB-29, 1949–1951)
 * Activated in May 1949
 * Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
 * Tail Code: Circle-R
 * 1st Bombardment Squadron
 * 5th Bombardment Squadron
 * 99th Bombardment Squadron
 * 9th Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1953)
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1954


 * 22d Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1949–1954)
 * Activated in July 1948
 * Combat in Korean War, Jul-Oct 1950
 * March AFB, California
 * Tail Code: Circle-E
 * 2d Bombardment Squadron
 * 19th Bombardment Squadron
 * 33d Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1954


 * 27th Strategic Fighter Wing
 * Bergstrom AFB, Texas
 * 27th Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1953-1957)


 * 40th Bombardment Wing (B-29, 1953)
 * Activated in May 1952
 * Shilling AFB, Kansas
 * Tail Code: Triangle-S
 * 25th Bombardment Squadron
 * 44th Bombardment Squadron
 * 45th Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1953


 * 44th Bombardment Wing (TB-29, 1951; B-29, 1951–1953)
 * Activated in January 1951
 * Lake Charles AFB, Louisiana
 * Tail Code: Triangle-S
 * 66th Bombardment Squadron
 * 67th Bombardment Squadron
 * 68th Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1953


 * 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, (B/RB-29, 1951)
 * Activated in June 1948
 * Forbes AFB, Kansas
 * Tail Code: Square-V
 * 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 338th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 343d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * Replaced by RB-50 Superfortress in 1951


 * 68th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1952–1953)
 * Activated in October 1951
 * Lake Charles AFB, Louisiana
 * Tail Code: Unknown
 * 27th Bombardment Squadron
 * 51st Bombardment Squadron
 * 52d Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1953


 * 90th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1954; RB-29, 1951–1954; TB-29, 1951–1952)
 * Activated in January 1951
 * Fairchild AFB, Washington
 * Tail Code: Circle-Z
 * 319th Bombardment Squadron
 * 320th Bombardment Squadron
 * 321st Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by RB-47 Stratojet in 1954


 * 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, (B-29, 1948–1949; RB-29, 1948–1951; TB-29, 1948–1949; TRB-29, 1949)
 * Activated in October 1948
 * McGuire AFB, New Jersey; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Lockbourne AFB, Ohio
 * Tail Code: Square-I
 * 322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 323d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 324th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
 * 91st Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29, 1950-1953)
 * Replaced by RB-50 Superfortress in 1951


 * 301st Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1953)
 * Activated in November 1947
 * Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
 * Tail Code: Square-A
 * 32d Bombardment Squadron
 * 352d Bombardment Squadron
 * 353d Bombardment Squadron
 * 301st Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1949-1953)
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1953


 * 303d Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1953)
 * Activated in September 1951
 * Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
 * Tail Code: Square-A
 * 358th Bombardment Squadron
 * 359th Bombardment Squadron
 * 360th Bombardment Squadron
 * 9th Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1952-1953)
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1953


 * 305th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1953)
 * Activated in January 1951
 * MacDill AFB, Florida
 * Tail Code: Unknown
 * 364th Bombardment Squadron
 * 365th Bombardment Squadron
 * 366th Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1952


 * 310th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1952–1954)
 * Activated in March 1952
 * Forbes AFB, Kansas; Shilling AFB, Kansas
 * Tail Code: Unknown
 * 379th Bombardment Squadron
 * 380th Bombardment Squadron
 * 381st Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1954


 * 320th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1952–1953)
 * Activated in December 1952
 * March AFB, California
 * Tail Code: Circle-A
 * 441st Bombardment Squadron
 * 442d Bombardment Squadron
 * 443d Bombardment Squadron
 * 444th Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1953


 * 376th Bombardment Wing, (B-29, 1951–1954)
 * Activated in May 1951
 * Forbes AFB, Kansas; Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
 * Tail Code: Unknown
 * 512th Bombardment Squadron
 * 513th Bombardment Squadron
 * 514th Bombardment Squadron
 * Replaced by B-47 Stratojet in 1954


 * 506th Strategic Fighter Wing
 * Dow AFB, Maine
 * 506th Air Refueling Squadron (KB-29, 1954-1955)

Tactical Air Command
After the Korean War and the phaseout of the B-29/KB-29 from SAC, KB-29s were acquired by Tactical Air Command to serve as dedicated aerial refueling tankers for Tactical Fighter aircraft to give TAC a worldwide deployment capability separate from SAC. However, it was found that the KB-29 was totally unsuitable for the refuelling of jet fighters because they were too slow. The KB-29s were replaced beginning in 1956 with faster KB-50s.


 * 420th Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29M, 1954–1955) (USAFE)
 * 421st Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29M, 1954–1955) (PACAF)
 * 427th Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29M, 1956–1959)
 * 429th Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29M, 1954–1958)
 * 431st Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29M, 1957)
 * 622d Air Refueling Squadron, (KB-29M, 1955–1957)

Air Resupply And Communications Service
During the Cold War, the Military Air Transport Service the controlling command for Air Commando units which performed special operations during the 1950s, including during the Korean War. As part of the equipment used by the Air Resupply And Communications Service (ARCS) were B-29s modified for special operations missions.


 * 580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing, (B-29, 1951–1956)
 * 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing, (B-29, 1951–1956)
 * 582nd Air Resupply and Communications Wing, (B-29, 1952–1956)

Air Weather Service
Air Weather Service (part of Military Air Transport Service) received their first B-29s in various versions (B-29, RB-29, TB-29, WB-29) in 1946  AWS initially used B-29s in support of the 1946 Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.

Weather reconnaissance duties required special variant of the B-29. Armament and related equipment was removed and in place of upper forward turret astrodome was installed. Additional radio and specialized meteorological equipment was installed and such refitted aircraft was redesignated WB-29. While the B-29's "public" mission was that of weather reconnaissance, the "covert" mission, that of atmospheric sampling for radiation debris, was perhaps the more critical task.

WB-29s soldiered on through the mid-1950s, providing critical data on tropical storms, nuclear tests, and many other routine but important reconnaissance tasks. But the airplanes were weary, and by 1956 were replaced by a modification of seventy-eight B-50Ds to WB-50 configuration.


 * 53d Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Kindley AFB, Bermuda (B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1951-1956)


 * 54th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Andersen AFB, Guam (B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1951-1956)


 * 55th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Fairfield-Suisun AFB, (later McClellan AFB), California (B-29, 1946-1947. TB-29/WB-29, 1951-1955)


 * 56th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Yokota AB, Japan (WB-29, 1951-1957)


 * 57th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Hickam AFB, Hawaii Territory (WB-29, 1951–1956)


 * 58th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Eielson AFB, Alaska Territory (WB-29, 1951–1956)


 * 59th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)
 * Ladd AFB. Alaska Territory (B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1955-1956)


 * 512th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)* (B-29, 1949–1954 RB-29/WB-29, 1949–1951)
 * 513th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)* (B-29, 1951–1954 RB-29/WB-29, 1950–1951)
 * 514th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather)* (B-29, 1951–1954 TB-29/RB-29/WB-29, 1947–1951)
 * 1st Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Special) (later 2078th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron)& (WB-29, 1948–1950)

NOTE: *Under operational control of Far East Air Forces flying combat weather reconnaissance missions over North Korea during the Korean War

Weapons Systems Development/Testing

 * Air Technical Service Command/Air Materiel Command/Air Research and Development Command, Muroc AAF/AFB (later Edwards AFB), California
 * Air Proving Ground Command, Eglin AFB, Florida

B-29-96-BW serial number 45-21800 was used as the "mother" aircraft for launches of the Bell X-1 rocket-powered research aircraft at Edwards AFB. On October 14, 1947, Capt Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager was dropped in his X-1 from the B-29 and was credited as the first human to pilot an aircraft faster than the speed of sound.

Several B-29s were modified for various experimental purposes under the designation EB-29. Perhaps the best known of these was the EB-29 used as the carrier aircraft for the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin parasite fighter in 1948. The rear bomb bay was modified to carry a special cradle from which the XF-85 could be launched and retrieved in flight.

Other B-29s flown at Eglin/Muroc/Edwards AFB were XB-29E fire control test model; XG-29G (44-84043) which served as a flying test bed for J-35, J-47 and J-73 jet engines mounted in the bomb bay; the YB-29H used for special armament testing; YB-29J used for services testing of improved engine designs; QB-29 target drones. The CB-29K was an experimental transport version.

Air Defense Command
Beginning in 1954, the 4754th Radar Evaluation Squadron, Air Defense Command operated B-29s from various bases in the United States to provide ECM training and evaluation services to its radar site personnel. The B-29s contained an assortment of RADAR jamming devices to provide the required training of personnel.


 * 4754th Radar Evaluation Electronics Counter-Countermeasure Flight, Hamilton AFB, California
 * 4677th Radar Evaluation Electronics Counter-Countermeasure Flight, Hill AFB, Utah
 * 4713th Radar Evaluation Flight, Griffiss AFB, New York
 * 6023d Radar Evaluation Squadron, Naha AB, Okinawa (attached to Pacific Air Forces)

The last B-29 (a TB-29 radar evaluation aircraft, B-29-15-MO serial number 42-65234) was retired from the USAF inventory at 2010 hours on June 21, 1960, when Major Clarence C. Rarick of the 6023d Radar Evaluation Squadron landed at Naha Air Base, Okinawa, bringing the era of B-29 Superfortress military service to an end.

United States Navy
The United States Navy received four B-29s on April 14, 1947 and redesignated as P2B. Two of these aircraft were in standard configuration (P2B-1S), two another were equipped with test radar and additional fuel tank in bomb bay (P2B-2S).


 * P2B-1S BuNo 84028 (B-29-95-BW 45-21789)
 * P2B-1S BuNo 84029 (B-29-95-BW 45-21787)
 * P2B-2S BuNo 84030 (B-29-95-BW 45-21791)
 * P2B-2S BuNo 84031 (B-29-90-BW 44-87766)

Naval B-29s were used as test beds and as mother ships in various programs. One P2B-1S was extensively modified to carry the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket supersonic rocket-powered research aircraft. The first Skyrocket launch took place on September 8, 1950. The Skyrocket exceeded Mach 2 for the first time on November 20, 1953 (piloted by Scott Crossfield). The last Skyrocket flight took place in December 1956.

P2B-1S BuNo 84029 was later transferred to NACA for continuation of high-speed flight tests and was redesignated as NACA-137. It was eventually sold to a civilian owner, a museum in Oakland, California. This was the only example of a flyable B-29 ever being sold to a civilian operator. This B-29 was flown on rare occasions under the civil registration N91329. After many years of inactivity, it was sold to the Kermit Weeks Aviation Museum of Miami, Florida. It was transported there disassembled in 1987. It was registered with the Weeks Museum as N29KW.

The Royal Air Force urgently needed interim aircraft for their bomber squadrons briefly as a "stop gap" in the early 1950s, prior to the build up of the RAF Canberra jet bomber force. This was considered an excellent arrangement from the RAF’s point of view as it provided experience of operating relatively modern equipment without diverting any of the development effort and investment from the Canberra and the V bombers.

A formal agreement with the USA was signed on January 27, 1950 and the USAF loaned the RAF seventy B-29 bombers which received the serials WF434-WF448, WF490-WF-514 and WF545-WF574. Later another 18 were delivered under serials WW342-WW356 and WZ966-WZ968. The aircraft received the service name Boeing Washington B.1 (B.1 from "Bomber Mark 1") with RAF Bomber Command from 1950 as a longer-range nuclear-capable bomber, pending the introduction of the English Electric Canberra in quantity.

Most of the airframes were taken out of USAF storage and many were virtually new, having been delivered at the end of the Pacific War, although a small number came from operational units. The first 4 aircraft were delivered to the Washington Conversion Unit at RAF Marham on March 22, 1950. All B-29s for the RAF were ferried by the crews of the 307th Bombardment Wing USAF. The first unit converted to Washingtons was No. 115 Squadron RAF which flown from USA in June 1950. Two RAF Washingtons took part in the Laurence Minot SAC bombing competition in 1951 alongside USAF B-29s.

Squadrons based at RAF Coningsby were converted to English Electric Canberra bombers in 1953. Squadrons from RAF Marham were converted a year later. Most Washingtons were returned to the United States, being flown by RAF crews to Dover AFB; then subsequently to the aircraft storage facility at Davis-Monthan AFB. A small number of Washingtons remained in the United Kingdom, being used by 192 Sq. for Electronic Intelligence operations until 1958; later being used as ground target airframes for RAF combat aircraft.


 * Royal Air Force
 * RAF Marham
 * No. 35 Squadron RAF
 * No. 90 Squadron RAF
 * No. 115 Squadron RAF
 * No. 207 Squadron RAF


 * RAF Coningsby
 * No. 15 Squadron RAF
 * No. 44 Squadron RAF
 * No. 57 Squadron RAF (moved from RAF Waddington in April 1952)
 * No. 149 Squadron RAF


 * RAF Watton
 * No. 192 Squadron RAF operated Washingtons between April 1952 and February 1958.

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Two ex-RAF Washingtons (WW354 and WW353) (former USAAF 44-61963; 44-62049) were turned over by the RAF to the Royal Australian Air Force Aeronautical Research and Development Unit in late 1952 and conducted trials for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Supply. They were assigned the RAAF serials A76-1 and A76-2. Both aircraft were retired in 1956 and sold for scrap in 1957.


 * Royal Australian Air Force
 * Aeronautical Research and Development Unit