28th Bomb Wing

28th Bomb Wing

The 28th Bomb Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The wing operates the Rockwell B-1 Lancer in strategic and conventional roles, integrating with commands such as Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, and United States Strategic Command for global strike missions. Its lineage traces to units active during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War, participating in operations linked to Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

History

Activated in the post‑World War II reorganization of the United States Army Air Forces, the wing evolved through designations reflecting changes in doctrine after the National Security Act of 1947 and the establishment of the United States Air Force. During the Cold War, the wing served under Strategic Air Command and participated in bomber deterrence and nuclear alert rotations with airframes related to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and predecessor models tied to strategic bombardment concepts developed alongside the Manhattan Project era policies. In the Korean conflict era and later crises such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, elements of the wing dispersed and practiced long-range strike operations coordinated with North American Aerospace Defense Command and Pacific Air Forces contingencies. Transition to modern platforms culminated in adoption of the B-1 in the late 20th century, enabling expeditionary employment in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Allied Force. Post‑9/11, the wing sustained combat sorties in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, integrating with Joint Chiefs of Staff directives and multinational task forces including NATO components.

Organization and Units

The wing is organized under a wing/group structure consistent with United States Air Force doctrine and is composed of operational, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups. The operational component includes bomber squadrons historically tied to numbered units such as the 34th, 37th, and 77th designations, which have roots in wartime squadrons that served under commands like Eighth Air Force and Fifteenth Air Force. Maintenance squadrons work alongside logistics elements from entities comparable to Air Force Materiel Command and sustainment practices developed with contractors such as Rockwell International and later integrators. Support units coordinate base defense with assets from Air Force Civil Engineer Center and security forces comparable to those collaborating with United States Northern Command for homeland protection. Medical elements align clinical standards with institutions including the Air Force Medical Service and interoperate with regional military hospitals like Ellsworth AFB Medical Group affiliates.

Aircraft and Equipment

The wing's equipment history includes early piston and jet bombers that reflect aviation advances chronologically tied to manufacturers such as Boeing, Convair, and Rockwell International. Aircraft types flown across its lineage encompass world‑class systems linked to strategic doctrine examples such as the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Convair B-36 Peacemaker, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, and the current Rockwell B-1 Lancer. Avionics suites evolved in coordination with programs like the Airborne Warning and Control System and navigation systems influenced by Global Positioning System integration. Ordnance and targeting equipment fielded by the wing have included precision munitions developed under initiatives such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition program and electronic warfare packages associated with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency‑funded technologies. Maintenance equipment and support vehicles are standardized per Air Force Instruction frameworks and procured through channels involving Defense Logistics Agency contracts.

Operations and Deployments

Operational employment spans strategic deterrence patrols, conventional bombing campaigns, and rapid expeditionary deployments in coalition operations. During Operation Desert Storm, wing elements supported long‑range strike tasking as part of air campaign components coordinated with United States Central Command air planners and coalition partners including Royal Air Force and French Air and Space Force contingents. In the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, the wing executed conventional precision strike missions integrated with Combined Joint Task Force targeting cycles and supported close air support and interdiction in coordination with United States Army ground maneuver units. The wing has participated in strategic bomber rotations to theaters under Pacific Air Forces and USAFE engagements, exercised in multinational venues such as Red Flag and Cope Thunder‑style exercises with allies including Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force units. Humanitarian and surge support have been provided in responses coordinated with United States Northern Command and federal agencies like Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Insignia and Traditions

Unit heraldry reflects lineage recognized by the Institute of Heraldry and incorporates symbols used across United States Air Force units, featuring motifs that recall strategic strike heritage and regional ties to the Black Hills near Ellsworth Air Force Base. Traditions include squadron callsigns and ceremonial observances aligned with anniversaries of campaigns like World War II and commemorations observed jointly with veteran organizations such as the Air Force Association and the American Legion. Unit awards and recognitions have been conferred under systems like the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and campaign streamers authorized by Department of the Air Force historical directives. The wing maintains public outreach and heritage preservation through conjunctions with museums and historical programs including associations similar to the National Museum of the United States Air Force and regional air and space exhibits.

Category:Units and formations of the United States Air Force Category:Bomb wings of the United States Air Force