376th Bombardment Wing

• Origins in World War II: The 376th traces its lineage to the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), formed in 1942 and known as "The Liberandos." It was the first B-24 Liberator unit to bomb targets in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. • Ploesti Raid Participation: The group played a major role in the famous low-level attack on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania on August 1, 1943—Operation Tidal Wave—which earned it a Distinguished Unit Citation. • Strategic Air Command Era: The 376th Bombardment Wing (Medium) was activated in 1951 as part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), flying B-47 Stratojets from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and later Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. • Cuban Missile Crisis Involvement: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, the wing was placed on high alert, with its B-47s ready for possible nuclear strikes. • Air Refueling Transition: The 376th was later redesignated as the 376th Air Refueling Wing, operating KC-135 Stratotankers and supporting American and allied aircraft worldwide. • “Can-Do” Motto: The 376th’s longstanding motto is "Can Do," reflecting its reputation for accomplishing tough missions under challenging conditions. • Longest Deployed U.S. Wing: In the post-9/11 era, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing was based at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, becoming the longest continuously deployed U.S. Air Force wing in Central Asia. • Operation Enduring Freedom: The 376th played a key logistics and refueling role in support of operations in Afghanistan, providing a critical “air bridge” for coalition forces. • Decorated Legacy: The wing and its predecessors have earned multiple Distinguished Unit Citations, campaign streamers, and foreign awards for their service in WWII and later conflicts. • Inactivation and Legacy: The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing was inactivated in 2014 following the closure of the Transit Center at Manas, but its legacy is preserved in Air Force heritage and historical records.