340th Bomb Wing

• World War II Origins: The 340th Bombardment Group, the predecessor of the 340th Bomb Wing, was activated in August 1942 and flew B-25 Mitchell bombers in the Mediterranean Theater during World War II. • Pantelleria Air Campaign: The 340th played a key role in the successful bombing campaign against the island of Pantelleria in 1943, which led to its surrender—the first time in history an island capitulated due solely to air power. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its daring and effective attack against railroad bridges at Attigliano, Italy, in January 1944, despite heavy enemy opposition. • Cold War Reactivation: The 340th Bombardment Wing was reactivated at Sedalia Air Force Base (later Whiteman AFB), Missouri, in 1952 as part of Strategic Air Command, flying B-47 Stratojets. • First B-52 Wing in Texas: In 1963, the wing relocated to Bergstrom AFB, Texas, and became the first unit in Texas to operate the iconic B-52 Stratofortress bomber. • Vietnam War Involvement: The 340th supported Operation Arc Light, deploying crews and aircraft for strategic bombing missions over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. • Tanker Transition: The wing was redesignated as the 340th Air Refueling Wing in 1966, transitioning to the KC-135 Stratotanker to provide vital aerial refueling for U.S. and allied aircraft. • Deactivation and Reactivation: The 340th was inactivated in 1971, but was reactivated in 1998 at Randolph AFB, Texas, as the 340th Flying Training Group, part of Air Education and Training Command. • Training the Next Generation: Today, the 340th Flying Training Group is the largest flying group in the Air Force Reserve Command, providing instructor pilots for undergraduate pilot training across several bases. • Legacy and Honors: The 340th’s lineage includes multiple campaign streamers and unit awards, reflecting a long legacy from WWII bomb runs over Italy to modern-day pilot training excellence.