44TH Bomb Wing

• Origins in WWII: The 44th Bomb Wing traces its roots to the 44th Bombardment Group, activated in January 1941, which flew B-24 Liberators in World War II. • D-Day Operations: The 44th Bombardment Group participated in bombing missions in support of the Normandy invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The group was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its daring attack on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania on August 1, 1943. • Cold War Era: The 44th Bomb Wing was reactivated during the Cold War in 1952, initially flying B-29 Superfortresses before transitioning to B-47 Stratojets and later B-52 Stratofortresses. • Minuteman Missiles: In 1962, the 44th was redesignated as a Strategic Missile Wing and operated Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in South Dakota. • Ellsworth AFB: The wing was based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, for much of its Cold War service, becoming a key site for America’s nuclear deterrent. • Vietnam War Involvement: While not deployed directly, the wing’s B-52 bombers supported the Vietnam War effort through "Operation Chrome Dome" nuclear alert missions. • Deactivation: The 44th Bomb Wing was inactivated in 1994 following the end of the Cold War and the reduction of the U.S. nuclear arsenal under START treaties. • Heraldry: The unit’s emblem featured a fierce lion, symbolizing courage and strength, and the motto "The Big 44." • Legacy: The 44th Bomb Wing’s legacy lives on through its contributions to U.S. air power in WWII, the Cold War, and as a steward of America’s ICBM force.