About this Unit
The 43rd Bomb Wing was originally established as the 43rd Bombardment Wing in August 1947, inheriting the legacy of the 43rd Bombardment Group, a distinguished unit from World War II. During the Cold War, the wing operated strategic bombers such as the B-29 Superfortress and later the B-47 Stratojet, playing a vital role in America’s nuclear deterrence strategy under Strategic Air Command. The wing participated in numerous training missions and readiness exercises, maintaining a high level of combat preparedness throughout its history. Eventually, the wing was redesignated and its mission evolved, but its legacy as a key component of U.S. Air Force strategic bombing capabilities remains significant.
Historical Facts
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Establishment and World War II Service: The 43rd Bomb Wing traces its origins to the 43rd Bombardment Group, which was activated in 1941 and played a significant role in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, flying B-17 and B-24 bombers.
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Nickname "Ken’s Men": The 43rd Bombardment Group earned the nickname "Ken’s Men" in honor of their commanding officer, Colonel Kenneth N. Walker, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his bravery.
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Historic Air Raid on Rabaul: On January 5, 1943, the 43rd participated in a daring low-level raid against Japanese shipping at Rabaul, which helped change Allied bombing tactics in the Pacific.
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First Use of Skip Bombing: The unit was a pioneer in skip bombing, a technique involving low-level attacks where bombs were "skipped" across the water into enemy ships.
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Cold War Reorganization: The 43rd was reactivated as the 43rd Bombardment Wing in 1946, transitioning to B-29, B-50, and later B-47 bombers during the early Cold War period.
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Record-Setting Flights: The 43rd set several world records in the 1940s and 1950s, including the first non-stop flight around the world with the B-50 “Lucky Lady II” in 1949.
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Transition to B-58 Hustler: In 1960, the 43rd became the first operational unit to fly the supersonic B-58 Hustler, the world’s first supersonic bomber.
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Distinguished Unit Citations: The 43rd received multiple Distinguished Unit Citations for its exceptional combat performance and valor during World War II.
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Role in Strategic Air Command: As part of Strategic Air Command, the 43rd was a key element of America’s nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, maintaining alert status with B-58 bombers.
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Modern Era and Air Mobility: The 43rd was redesignated as the 43rd Airlift Wing in the 1990s, supporting tactical airlift and rapid global mobility missions with C-130 aircraft, and later as the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group at Pope Army Airfield.
