42nd BMW

The 42nd Bombardment Wing (Medium), commonly known as the 42nd BMW, was an integral unit of the United States Air Force during the Cold War era. Activated in the early 1950s, the wing was initially equipped with B-29 Superfortress bombers before transitioning to jet-powered B-47 Stratojets, reflecting the rapid technological advancements of the period. The 42nd BMW was stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, serving as a strategic deterrent force under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and maintaining readiness for nuclear and conventional missions. Throughout its service, the wing played a crucial role in SAC's global operations before being inactivated as part of post-Cold War restructuring.