68th Bomb Wing - SAC - Seymore-Johnson - B-52

Based at: Chennault AFB, Seymore-Johnson AFB
Aircraft: B-29, B-47, B-52, KC-97, KC-135
Status: Inactivated Sept 30, 1982
Squadrons: 24 BS, 51 BS, 52 BS, 656 BS, 657 BS, 68 ARS, 911 ARS
Links: Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina

Activation
    The 68th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Medium was established on October 4, 1951 and activated on October 10, 1951 at Lake Charles AFB, later renamed Chennault AFB. It received it's initial cadre of 16 people from the 44th Bomb Wing and began reconnaissance training using borrowed B-29s. It received it's own B-29 s in May 1952, then began training as a bombardment wing.
B-47 Stratojet & KC-97 tankers
    On June 16, 1952, it was redesignated the 68th Bombardment Wing, Medium and flew B-29s. Late the next year, the Superfortress was replaced with the new all-jet B-47 Stratojet. The wing also received KC-97 tankers and added a refueling mission.. It conducted strategic bombardment training from May 1954 to June 1963 and air refueling operations from May 1954 to September 1957. It was deployed at Fairford RAF Station from June 14 to August 7, 1954 and at Brize Norton AB, England from Sept 27, 1957 to January 8,1958.
B-52 Stratofortress
     The 68th Moved without personnel or equipment to North Carolina on April 15, 1963, where it replaced the 4241st Strategic Wing at Seymore-Johnson AFB. It was officially redesignated the 68th Bombardment Wing, Heavy.   It conducted strategic bombardment training with B-52s and air refueling operations with KC-135s.
Vietnam
     Deployed at Loring AFB, Maine from July 28 to August of 1965 and from May 27, 1972 to July 15, 1972. During this time, all wing aircraft, most aircrew and maintenance personnel and about half of the wing's support people were loaned to other SAC units for combat operations in Vietnam.
Status
     Inactivated Sept 30, 1982
Components
Groups
68 BG: Assigned Oct 10, 1951 - June 16, 1952 (Not operational)
Squadrons
        The Bomb Squadrons flew B-29s until replaced by B-47s in 1952. In 1963, the B-47
        was completing it's phase out and three of the four active squdrons were deactived.
        The remaining active squadron received B-52s.
   24 BS: Attached Oct 10, 1951 - Jan 16, 1952. Assigned June 16, 1952 - Jan 16, 1953
   51 BS:: Attached Oct 10, 1951-June 15, 1952. Assigned June 15, 1952 - Sep 30, 1982
        (Not operational March 20 - April 14, 1963 and May 27, 1972 - July 1973)
        Acquired B-52Es previously used by the 98 BS, 4241st Strategic Wing.
        Operated B-52G until inactivated in 1982
   52 BS: Attached Oct 10, 1951- June 15, 1952. Assigned June 15, 1952 - Apr 15, 1963
        (Not operational March 20 -April 15, 1963)
656 BS: Assigned Jan 15, 1953 - April 15, 1963. (Not operational March 20 -April 15, 1963)
657 BS: Assigned Dec 1, 1958 - Jan 1, 1962 (Not operational Oct 1, 1961-Jan 1 19562)
68 AR: Attached Apr 8 - May 28, 1952 (Not operational) Assigned Nov 25, 1953-Sept 3, 1957
        (Detached Jun 4 - Aug 7, 1954)
911 AR: Assigned April 15, 1953 (Not operational May 27, 1972-July 972)