58th Bombardment Wing

58th Bombardment Wing was a strategic bombardment formation of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and later the United States Air Force during the early Cold War. It is best known for its pioneering role in the Boeing B-29 Superfortress program, conducting the first B-29 Superfortress combat missions from bases in China and India as part of the XX Bomber Command. The wing later transitioned to the Convair B-36 Peacemaker and was a key component of Strategic Air Command's nuclear deterrent force before its inactivation in the 1960s.

History

The wing was activated in January 1941 at Maxwell Field, Alabama, initially as part of the pre-war buildup of United States Army Air Corps forces. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was reorganized and in 1943 became the first operational wing equipped with the new B-29 Superfortress under the command of Brigadier General Kenneth B. Wolfe. As the operational headquarters for XX Bomber Command, it deployed to the China Burma India Theater, establishing forward bases at Kharagpur and other sites in India, with advanced staging fields around Chengdu in China. Its B-29 Superfortress groups, including the 40th Bombardment Group and 444th Bombardment Group, executed the first B-29 Superfortress raid on June 5, 1944, against Bangkok and later conducted strategic strikes on targets in Japanese-occupied territory such as the Yawata Steel Works on Kyushu. After the war, it was inactivated in 1945. The wing was reactivated in 1952 under Strategic Air Command at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico, where it transitioned to the massive Convair B-36 Peacemaker and later briefly operated the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress as part of America's nuclear triad before final inactivation in 1962.

Lineage and honors

Constituted as the 58th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) on 20 November 1940. Activated on 15 January 1941. Redesignated 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in 1944. Inactivated on 15 October 1945. Redesignated 58th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) and activated on 1 January 1952. Inactivated on 1 February 1962. The wing earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its operations from bases in China and India between June 1944 and March 1945. Its campaign participation credits include the Air Offensive, Japan, China Defensive, and Western Pacific campaigns of World War II.

Assignments and stations

The wing was initially assigned to the Southeast Air District at Maxwell Field. During World War II, it was a key component of XX Bomber Command, part of the Twentieth Air Force. Its primary stations included Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Kansas, for training and Kharagpur Airfield in India for combat operations. After reactivation, it was assigned to the Sixteenth Air Force and later the 823rd Air Division of Strategic Air Command, with its primary station being Walker Air Force Base.

Aircraft operated

The wing's primary aircraft was the B-29 Superfortress throughout its World War II service, including models like the B-29A and B-29B. During its Strategic Air Command tenure, it operated the Convair B-36 Peacemaker in variants such as the B-36D, B-36F, B-36H, and B-36J. In its final years, it also briefly flew the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and utilized the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling support.

Commanders

Notable commanders included Brigadier General Kenneth B. Wolfe, who led the wing during its initial B-29 Superfortress deployment and early combat operations. He was succeeded by Brigadier General LaVern G. Saunders, who commanded during the challenging Operation Matterhorn missions from China. During its Strategic Air Command period, it was commanded by officers such as Colonel John H. deRussy and Brigadier General William E. Eubank Jr., who oversaw its transition to the Convair B-36 Peacemaker and integration into the national nuclear deterrent strategy.

Category:Military wings of the United States Air Force Category:Strategic Air Command