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| 22nd Bomb Group | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 22nd Bomb Group |
| Dates | 1940–1945; 1946–1949; 1951–1963; 1978–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces; United States Air Force |
| Role | Strategic bombardment; tactical bombing; reconnaissance |
| Garrison | March Air Force Base; Army Air Base, Sioux Falls; RAF Hethel; McConnell Air Force Base |
| Battles | World War II; Cold War |
22nd Bomb Group
The 22nd Bomb Group is a United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force unit with origins in pre-World War II mobilization, notable for operational service in World War II, occupation duties, Cold War deterrence, and later training and reconnaissance roles. Over its history the group was equipped with multiple bomber types and participated in major campaigns across the European Theater of Operations and later strategic operations tied to Strategic Air Command and modern Air Mobility Command missions. The unit's lineage connects to several numbered bombardment and reconnaissance wings, airfields, and prominent aviators.
Constituted and activated as a bombardment group during the U.S. mobilization for World War II, the organization trained stateside at bases including Army Air Base, Sioux Falls and deployed to the European Theater of Operations via staging points such as Gander International Airport and RAF stations in the United Kingdom. Under the command structures of Eighth Air Force and later attached to theater-level commands, the group executed strategic and tactical missions, contributing to allied air campaigns tied to the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the push into Germany. Postwar demobilization, reactivation under Strategic Air Command and later assignments at bases including March Air Force Base and McConnell Air Force Base reflect the unit's transitions across force structures like Tactical Air Command and Air Force Reserve Command.
During World War II the group operated from RAF Hethel, conducting heavy bomber missions as part of Eighth Air Force strategic operations targeting industrial complexes, transportation hubs, and military facilities in the Reich. Missions included long-range raids against targets such as the Krupp Works, Dornier manufacturing sites, and ball-bearing plants in the Ruhr. The group supported airborne and ground operations during the Normandy landings and interdicted German supply lines during the Operation Market Garden campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. Crews faced Luftwaffe interceptors including Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, and anti-aircraft defenses such as Flak. The group's action contributed to combined operations alongside units from Royal Air Force Bomber Command, United States Navy coastal patrols, and Allied tactical air forces coordinating close air support for formations like the U.S. First Army and U.S. Third Army.
After Victory in Europe Day the group participated in occupation and redeployment tasks supporting the United States Air Forces in Europe mission set, before inactivation during postwar reductions. Reactivation under Strategic Air Command placed the group into the nuclear deterrence posture of the early Cold War, flying alert and training missions from bases including March Air Force Base and integrating into SAC wings alongside units like the 307th Bomb Wing and 449th Bombardment Wing. During the 1950s and early 1960s the group transitioned through jet-era bombers and reconnaissance platforms, interacting with systems overseen by organizations such as Air Defense Command and participating in NATO exercises with partners including the Royal Air Force and French Air Force. Later missions encompassed air refueling, reconnaissance, and support roles throughout the Cold War until redesignation and reassignment under post-Cold War structures like Air Mobility Command.
Aircraft types operated by the group include the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II, postwar conversion to aircraft such as the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, and later strategic platforms including the Boeing B-47 Stratojet under Strategic Air Command. Crews and maintenance personnel worked with turrets and defensive systems by manufacturers like General Electric and avionics suites tied to contractors such as Collins Radio Company. During transitions the group employed aerial refueling equipment compatible with tankers like the Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter and later supported operations coordinated with aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and reconnaissance assets like the RB-47. Ground support included airfield infrastructure comparable to RAF Hethel and maintenance practices standardized by Air Materiel Command.
The group comprised several bombardment squadrons and support elements, including squadrons numerically designated and attached under group command alongside maintenance, operations, and supply sections. During World War II squadrons flew in combat box formations coordinated by group and wing headquarters as part of Eighth Air Force bomber stream tactics developed with guidance from staffs at RAF High Wycombe and USAAF VIII Bomber Command. Postwar structure aligned with SAC tables of organization, integrating with numbered wings and collaborating with entities such as the 1st Combat Cargo Group for airlift and logistics interoperability.
The group's campaign credits span major European Theater of Operations campaigns: strategic bombardment operations over the Reich, support for the Normandy invasion, interdiction during Operation Market Garden, and actions in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. Decorations awarded to group personnel include theater-level citations and unit commendations issued under Army Air Forces and later United States Air Force award systems. Specific squadron and aircrew citations reflect recognition by commands including Eighth Air Force and theater leaders coordinating Allied strategic bombing.
Notable individuals who served with the group include decorated aircrewmembers, squadron commanders, and operations staff who later held commands in organizations such as Strategic Air Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and joint staffs at The Pentagon. Veterans of the unit later appeared in histories alongside figures from 8th Air Force leadership, and some cross-posted to commands including the European Command and NATO staff positions.
Category:Bombardment groups of the United States Army Air Forces Category:Units and formations of Strategic Air Command