About this Unit
The 380th Bomb Wing (380th BW) was originally activated during World War II as the 380th Bombardment Group, flying B-24 Liberators in the Southwest Pacific and earning two Distinguished Unit Citations for its combat achievements. Reactivated during the Cold War, the unit operated B-47 Stratojets at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York, as part of Strategic Air Command’s nuclear deterrence mission. The 380th BW was later stationed at Plattsburgh from 1963 to 1995, flying B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotankers. The wing was inactivated in 1995 following post-Cold War force reductions, but its lineage continues today as the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, providing air refueling, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in the Middle East.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Origins: The 380th Bombardment Wing (BW) traces its heritage to the 380th Bombardment Group, which was activated in 1942 and flew B-24 Liberators in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
•
"Flying Circus" Nickname: The 380th Bomb Group earned the nickname "Fifth Air Force's Flying Circus" for their extensive operations and movement throughout the Southwest Pacific.
•
Awarded Distinguished Unit Citations: The 380th received two Distinguished Unit Citations for its combat achievements, including missions over Balikpapan, Borneo, and oil refineries at Soengei Gerong, Sumatra.
•
Service in the Cold War: The 380th BW was reactivated in 1951 as part of Strategic Air Command (SAC), initially flying B-47 Stratojets and later B-52 Stratofortresses, playing a key role in America's nuclear deterrence.
•
Longest Combat Mission: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, B-52s from the 380th BW flew one of the longest combat missions in history, launching from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, to strike targets in Iraq and returning non-stop.
•
KC-135 Aerial Refueling: In addition to bombers, the 380th has operated KC-135 Stratotankers, providing essential aerial refueling support to U.S. and allied aircraft.
•
Base Closure and Relocation: The original home of the 380th BW, Plattsburgh Air Force Base in New York, was closed in 1995. The unit was later reactivated at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, as the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.
•
Combat Heritage: The 380th is one of the few U.S. Air Force units to have participated in every major conflict since World War II, including the Cold War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism.
•
First U.S. Bombers in Australia: The 380th Bomb Group was among the first U.S. heavy bomber units based in Australia during WWII, from which it launched critical missions against Japanese forces in the region.
•
Legacy and Honors: The 380th's lineage is still active today as part of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, continuing its mission of combat airpower, surveillance, and aerial refueling in the Middle East.
