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== History ==
== History ==
===Lineage===
=== 456th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) ===
* Constituted as '''456th Bombardment Group (Heavy)''' on 14 May 1943
: Activated on 1 Jun 1943
: Redesignated '''456th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)''' in Aug 1945
: Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
* Activated on 12 Jul 1947 in the reserve
: Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949
* Established as '''456th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium''', on 15 Oct 1952
: Activated on 1 Dec 1952
:: Group redesignated 456th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) and activated on 1 Dec 1952, assigned to wing as subordinate unit
:: Group inactivated on 1 Mar 1955
: Inactivated on 9 Jul 1956
* Redesignated '''456th Strategic Aerospace Wing''', and activated, on 15 Nov 1962
: Organized on 1 Feb 1963 by redesignation of 4126th Strategic Wing
: Redesignated '''456th Bombardment Wing, Heavy''', on 1 Jul 1972
: Inactivated on 30 Sep 1975.


===Assignments===
The '''456th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium)''' ('''456 TCW''') was activated as part of the [[Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserves]] in October 1952. It was reorganized on 1 March 1955 and assumed control over three tactical squadrons plus three squadron-size detachments manned for self-sufficient operations and having eight specially modified [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]]s. The 456 TCW participated in Project DRAG NET, part of PROJECT 119L. The wing’s task was to perform aerial recovery of high altitude balloon-borne instrument packages. The 456 TCW was shut down in July 1956.
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* IV Bomber Command, 1 Jun-Dec 1943
* 304th Bombardment Wing, Jan 1944-Jul 1945
* Second Air Force, 1 Aug-17 Oct 1945
* Fourth Air Force, 17 Agu 1947-27 Jun 1949
* Eighteenth Air Force, 1 Dec 1952-9 Jul 1956
: Attached to: 1st Air Division [Meteorological Survey], c. 22 Apr 1955-26 Mar 1956
: Attached to: 463d Troop Carrier Wing, 10 May-9 Jul 1956
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* Strategic Air Command, 15 Nov 1962
* 14th Strategic Aerospace Division, 1 Feb 1963
* 47th Air Division, 30 Jun 1971
* 14th Air Division, 1 Oct 1972-30 Sep 1975
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===Components===
*Established on: 15 October 1952.
* 456th Troop Carrier Group, 1 Dec 1952-1 Mar 1955
*Activated on: 1 December 1952.
*At: Miami International Airport, Fl.
*Attached to: Eighteenth Air Force, (Attached to the Strategic Air Command, 1st Air Division (Meteorological Survey) from 25 April 1955 to 26 May 1956).
*Equipment: C-119s.
*Inactivated on: 9 July 1956.
*Redesignated on: 1 October 1972 as [[456th Bomb Wing]].


* 9th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 Jan 1970-30 Sep 1975.
=== 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing ===
* 744th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier, Bombardment) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1 Mar 1955-9 Jul 1956; 1 Feb 1963-30 Sep 1975.
* 745th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1947-1949; 1952-1955
* 746th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1947-1949; 1952-1955; 1 Mar 1955-9 Jul 1956
* 747th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949
* 851st Strategic Missile: 1 Feb 1963-25 Mar 1965
* 903d Air Refueling: 1 Feb 1963-30 Sep 1975


===Stations===
The '''456th Strategic Aerospace Wing''' ('''456 SAW''') was activated 1 October or November 1962, replacing the [[4126th Strategic Wing]] at [[Beale Air Force Base]], [[California]]. The 456 SAW assumed a mission of strategic bombardment training, with B-52s, and air refueling, with KC-135s, as well as controlling a [[Titan I]] strategic missile squadron until early 1965. The wing’s bombardment and air refueling squadrons frequently deployed aircraft and crews to meet USAF requirements, often having nearly all of the resources of the wing scattered around the world at various operating locations.
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* Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jun 1943
* Gowen Field, Idaho, 14 Jul 1943;
* Bruning AAFld, Neb, c. 30 Jul 1943
* Kearns, Utah, c. 11 Sep 1943
* Muroc AAB, Calif, Oct-Dec 1943
* Cerignola, Italy, Jan 1944
* Stornara, Italy, Jan 1944-Jul 1945
* Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 1 Aug 1945
{{col-break|width=50%}}
* Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945
* McChord Field, Wash, 12 Jul 1947-27 Jun 1949
* Miami Intl Aprt, Fla, 1 Dec 1952
* Charleston AFB, SC, 25 Jul 1953-16 Oct 1955
* Shiroi AB, Japan, 10 Nov 1955-10 May 1956
* Ardmore AFB, Okla, 25 May-9 Jul 1956
* Beale AFB, Calif, 1 Feb 1963-30 Sep 1975.
{{col-end}}


===Aircraft and missiles===
When the '''456th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)''' ('''456 BW''') was shut down on 30 September 1975, it was replaced by the [[17th Training Wing#Lineage|17th Bombardment Wing, Heavy]].
* [[B-24 Liberator]], 1943-1945
* [[B-29 Superfortress]], 1945
* [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]], 1 December 1952-9 July 1956 - 456 TCW
* [[B-52 Stratofortress]], 15 November 1962-1 October 1972 - 456 SAW
* [[B-52 Stratofortress]], 1 October 1972-30 September 1975 - 456 BW
* [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], 15 November 1962-1 October 1972 - 456 SAW
* [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], 1 October 1972-30 September 1975 - 456 BW
* [[Titan I]] [[Intercontinental ballistic missile|ICBM]], 15 November 1962-1965 - 456 SAW


===Operations===
In 1963 the 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing was featured as the fictional 904th Strategic Aerospace Wing in the [[Hollywood]] film production ''[[A Gathering of Eagles]]''.
====World War II====
Activated in June 1943 as a heavy bombardment group. Trained with B-24s for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat with Fifteenth AF in Feb 1944, operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in Apr 1945. Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshalling yards, aircraft factories, railroad bridges, and airdromes in Italy, Austria, and Rumania.


Received a DUC for performance at Wiener Neustadt on 10 May 1944: when other groups turned back because of adverse
== Lineage and Honors ==
weather, the 456th proceeded to the target and, withstanding repeated attacks by enemy interceptors, bombed the manufacturing center. Helped to prepare the way for and supported the invasion of Southern France during Jul and Aug 1944. At the same time, expanded previous operations to include attacks on oil refineries and storage facilities, locomotive works, and viaducts in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans.


Received second DUC for a mission in Hungary on 2 Jul 194 when the group braved severe fighter attacks and antiaircraft
* Established: 15 October 1952 - 456 TCW
fire to bomb oil facilities at Budapest. In Apr 1945 bombed gun positions, bridges, roads, depots, and rail lines to support US Fifth and British Eighth Army in their advance through Italy. Transported supplies to airfields in northern Italy after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jul 1945.
* Activated: 1 December 1952 - 456 TCW
* Reorganized: 1 March 1955 - 456 TCW
* Inactivated: 9 July 1956 - 456 TCW
* Redesignated and reactivated: 15 November 1962 - 456 SAW
* Organized: 1 February 1963 - 456 SAW
* Redesignated: 1 October 1972 - 456 BW
* Inactivated: 30 September 1975 - 456 BW


Redesignated as a Very Heavy bomb group in August 1945, trained with B-29 Superfortresses. Inactivated in Oct 1945.
'''Bestowed Honors''': During its operational service the wing was bestowed with the lineage, honors, and history of the [[World War II]] [[456th Bomb Group]] (''italicized'').


==== 456th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) ====
=== Service Streamers ===
The '''456th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium)''' ('''456 TCW''') was activated as part of the [[Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserves]] in October 1952. It was reorganized on 1 March 1955 and assumed control over three tactical squadrons plus three squadron-size detachments manned for self-sufficient operations and having eight specially modified [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]]s. The 456 TCW participated in Project DRAG NET, part of PROJECT 119L. The wing’s task was to perform aerial recovery of high altitude balloon-borne instrument packages. The 456 TCW was shut down in July 1956.
=== Campaign Streamers ===


==== 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing ====
* ''World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater''
The '''456th Strategic Aerospace Wing''' ('''456 SAW''') was activated 1 October or November 1962, replacing the [[4126th Strategic Wing]] at [[Beale Air Force Base]], [[California]]. The 456 SAW assumed a mission of strategic bombardment training, with B-52s, and air refueling, with KC-135s, as well as controlling a [[Titan I]] strategic missile squadron until early 1965. The wing’s bombardment and air refueling squadrons frequently deployed aircraft and crews to meet USAF requirements, often having nearly all of the resources of the wing scattered around the world at various operating locations.


When the '''456th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)''' ('''456 BW''') was shut down on 30 September 1975, it was replaced by the [[17th Training Wing#Lineage|17th Bombardment Wing, Heavy]]. In 1963 the 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing was featured as the fictional 904th Strategic Aerospace Wing in the [[Hollywood]] film production ''[[A Gathering of Eagles]]''.
=== Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers ===
=== Decorations ===

* ''Distinguished Unit Citation (2): Wiener Neustadt, Austria, 10 May 1944; Budapest, Hungary, 2 July 1944''

=== Awards ===
=== Emblem ===
== Assignments ==

* [[Eighteenth Air Force]], 15 October 1952 - 456 TCW
* attached to [[1st Air Division]] (Meteorological Survey), [[Strategic Air Command]], 25 April 1955-26 May 1956 - 456 TCW
* [[Strategic Air Command]], 15 November 1962 - 456 SAW
* [[Fifteenth Air Force]], [[14th Strategic Aerospace Division]], 1 February 1963 - 456 SAW
* [[Fifteenth Air Force]], [[47th Air Division]], 30 June 1971 - 456 SAW
* [[Fifteenth Air Force]], [[14th Air Division]], 1 October 1972 - 456 SAW

== Components ==

* [[456th Bomb Group|456th Troop Carrier Group, Medium]], 1 December 1952-1 March 1955.

** [[9th Air Refueling Squadron]], 1 January 1970-30 September 1975
** 744th Troop Carrier Squadron (later Bombardment Squadron, Heavy), 1 March 1955-9 July 1956, 1 February 1963-30 September 1975
** 745th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1 March 1955-9 July 1956
** 746th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1 March 1955-9 July 1956
** [[851st Strategic Missile Squadron]], 1 February 1963-25 March 1965
** [[903d Air Refueling Squadron]], 1 February 1963-30 September 1975

== Stations ==

* [[Miami International Airport]], [[Florida]], 1 December 1952-9 July 1956 - 456 TCW
** [[Charleston Air Force Base]], [[South Carolina]]
** [[Shiroi Air Base]], [[Japan]]
** [[Ardmore Air Force Base]], [[Oklahoma]]
* [[Beale Air Force Base]], [[California]], 15 November 1962-1 October 1972 - 456 SAW
* [[Beale Air Force Base]], [[California]], 1 October 1972-30 September 1975 - 456 BW

== Commanders ==
== Aircraft / Missiles / Space Vehicles ==

* [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]], 1 December 1952-9 July 1956 - 456 TCW
* [[B-52 Stratofortress]], 15 November 1962-1 October 1972 - 456 SAW
* [[B-52 Stratofortress]], 1 October 1972-30 September 1975 - 456 BW
* [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], 15 November 1962-1 October 1972 - 456 SAW
* [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], 1 October 1972-30 September 1975 - 456 BW
* [[Titan I]] [[Intercontinental ballistic missile|ICBM]], 15 November 1962-1965 - 456 SAW


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 23:48, 15 January 2010

456th Bombardment Wing, Heavy
456th Bombardment Wing emblem
Active15 October 1952-9 July 1956 (456 TCW)
15 November 1962-30 June 1971 (456 SAW)
30 June 1971-30 September 1975(456 BW)
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Part ofEighteenth Air Force, Air Force Reserves (456 TCW)
Fifteenth Air Force, Strategic Air Command (456 SAW and 456 BW)
EquipmentC-119 Flying Boxcar {456 TCW)
B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 Stratotanker (456 SAW and 456 BW)
Titan I missile (456 SAW)
Decorationssee "Lineage and Honors" section below

The 456th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Strategic Air Command 14th Air Division, stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California. It was inactivated on 30 September 1975.

Originally activated in 1943 as the 456th Bombardment Group as a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. The highly-decorated unit flew 249 bombing missions from Italy while assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force. Its members earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for valor in combat and participated extensively in the strategic bombing campaign against oil production targets including [Ploieşti, Romania, that resulted in high bomber losses.

Inactivated at the end of the war and allotted to the Air Force Reserve, the group was reactivated as the 456th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, operating C-119 Flying Boxcar transports during the 1950s. In November 1962 the wing was designated the 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing and was stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California, flying B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft, and operating a Titan I ICBM squadron (1962-1965). In July 1972 the wing was redesignated the 456th Bombardment Wing, Heavy and continued to fly the B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker, but lost the ICBM squadron. The wing was inactivated in September 1975.

History

Lineage

  • Constituted as 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943
Activated on 1 Jun 1943
Redesignated 456th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945
Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.
  • Activated on 12 Jul 1947 in the reserve
Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949
  • Established as 456th Troop Carrier Wing, Medium, on 15 Oct 1952
Activated on 1 Dec 1952
Group redesignated 456th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) and activated on 1 Dec 1952, assigned to wing as subordinate unit
Group inactivated on 1 Mar 1955
Inactivated on 9 Jul 1956
  • Redesignated 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing, and activated, on 15 Nov 1962
Organized on 1 Feb 1963 by redesignation of 4126th Strategic Wing
Redesignated 456th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, on 1 Jul 1972
Inactivated on 30 Sep 1975.

Assignments

Components

  • 456th Troop Carrier Group, 1 Dec 1952-1 Mar 1955
  • 9th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 Jan 1970-30 Sep 1975.
  • 744th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier, Bombardment) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1 Mar 1955-9 Jul 1956; 1 Feb 1963-30 Sep 1975.
  • 745th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1947-1949; 1952-1955
  • 746th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1947-1949; 1952-1955; 1 Mar 1955-9 Jul 1956
  • 747th Bombardment (later Troop Carrier) Squadron: 1943-1945; 1947-1949
  • 851st Strategic Missile: 1 Feb 1963-25 Mar 1965
  • 903d Air Refueling: 1 Feb 1963-30 Sep 1975

Stations

Aircraft and missiles

Operations

World War II

Activated in June 1943 as a heavy bombardment group. Trained with B-24s for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat with Fifteenth AF in Feb 1944, operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in Apr 1945. Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshalling yards, aircraft factories, railroad bridges, and airdromes in Italy, Austria, and Rumania.

Received a DUC for performance at Wiener Neustadt on 10 May 1944: when other groups turned back because of adverse weather, the 456th proceeded to the target and, withstanding repeated attacks by enemy interceptors, bombed the manufacturing center. Helped to prepare the way for and supported the invasion of Southern France during Jul and Aug 1944. At the same time, expanded previous operations to include attacks on oil refineries and storage facilities, locomotive works, and viaducts in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans.

Received second DUC for a mission in Hungary on 2 Jul 194 when the group braved severe fighter attacks and antiaircraft fire to bomb oil facilities at Budapest. In Apr 1945 bombed gun positions, bridges, roads, depots, and rail lines to support US Fifth and British Eighth Army in their advance through Italy. Transported supplies to airfields in northern Italy after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jul 1945.

Redesignated as a Very Heavy bomb group in August 1945, trained with B-29 Superfortresses. Inactivated in Oct 1945.

456th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium)

The 456th Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) (456 TCW) was activated as part of the Air Force Reserves in October 1952. It was reorganized on 1 March 1955 and assumed control over three tactical squadrons plus three squadron-size detachments manned for self-sufficient operations and having eight specially modified C-119 Flying Boxcars. The 456 TCW participated in Project DRAG NET, part of PROJECT 119L. The wing’s task was to perform aerial recovery of high altitude balloon-borne instrument packages. The 456 TCW was shut down in July 1956.

456th Strategic Aerospace Wing

The 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing (456 SAW) was activated 1 October or November 1962, replacing the 4126th Strategic Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. The 456 SAW assumed a mission of strategic bombardment training, with B-52s, and air refueling, with KC-135s, as well as controlling a Titan I strategic missile squadron until early 1965. The wing’s bombardment and air refueling squadrons frequently deployed aircraft and crews to meet USAF requirements, often having nearly all of the resources of the wing scattered around the world at various operating locations.

When the 456th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) (456 BW) was shut down on 30 September 1975, it was replaced by the 17th Bombardment Wing, Heavy. In 1963 the 456th Strategic Aerospace Wing was featured as the fictional 904th Strategic Aerospace Wing in the Hollywood film production A Gathering of Eagles.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=456th_Bombardment_Wing&oldid=338090278"