11th Bomb Wing

11th Bomb Wing. The 11th Bomb Wing is a strategic bombardment unit of the United States Air Force, currently assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command and stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. With a lineage tracing to the World War II era, it has operated a variety of heavy bombers in conflicts from the Pacific Theater to the War in Afghanistan. The wing's history encompasses multiple activations and redesignations, reflecting the evolving structure of American air power.

History

The wing's origins lie in the 11th Bombardment Group, activated in Hawaii in 1940 and equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, the group suffered losses but quickly engaged in early wartime operations, including the Battle of Midway. Transitioning to the B-25 Mitchell, the group served under Seventh Air Force in the Central Pacific Area campaign, participating in battles such as Tarawa and Kwajalein. Reactivated in the Cold War as a Strategic Air Command unit, it flew B-47 Stratojets from Altus Air Force Base and later Carswell Air Force Base. In its modern incarnation, the wing has flown the B-1B Lancer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting global strike and Close air support missions.

Lineage and honors

Established as the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in January 1941, the unit was redesignated the 11th Bombardment Group, Medium in 1943. It was inactivated in 1945 before being reactivated in the United States Army Air Forces in 1947. Redesignated as the 11th Bombardment Wing, Heavy in 1952 under Strategic Air Command, it was later inactivated in 1968. The current wing was activated in 1994 at Barksdale Air Force Base. Its honors include a Distinguished Unit Citation for actions from December 1941 to April 1942 and multiple Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. Campaign participation spans World War II, the Vietnam War, and recent conflicts in Southwest Asia.

Assignments and components

The wing has been assigned to numerous major commands throughout its history. During World War II, it was part of Hawaiian Air Force, later Seventh Air Force, and Thirteenth Air Force. In the Cold War, it was a key unit of Strategic Air Command's Second Air Force and 19th Air Division. Since 1994, it has been assigned to Eighth Air Force under Air Combat Command and, later, Air Force Global Strike Command. Its operational squadrons have included the 20th Bomb Squadron, 26th Bomb Squadron, 42nd Bomb Squadron, and 98th Bomb Squadron at various times, with the 11th Operations Group currently overseeing flying operations.

Aircraft operated

The wing's aircraft chronology reflects the evolution of American bomber technology. It began with the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-18 Bolo, transitioning to the B-25 Mitchell for the majority of its World War II service in the Pacific. During the Cold War, it operated the B-47 Stratojet jet bomber. Since its 1994 reactivation, the wing has been exclusively equipped with the B-1B Lancer, a supersonic variable-sweep wing bomber used for conventional global strike missions.

Bases stationed

The wing's first home was Hickam Field in Hawaii. During World War II, it operated from various forward bases across the Pacific Theater, including Funafuti, Tarawa, and Kwajalein. Post-war assignments included MacDill Air Force Base and Altus Air Force Base. Its primary Cold War base was Carswell Air Force Base in Texas. Since 1994, it has been permanently stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, a major installation for United States Air Force bomber forces.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States in the Vietnam War Category:Strategic bomber wings of the United States Air Force