Carl Bearden

The 320th Bomb Wing was established in 1947 as part of the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command. Initially activated at March Air Force Base, California, the wing operated bombers such as the B-29 Superfortress and later transitioned to the B-47 Stratojet. Throughout the Cold War, the unit played a crucial deterrent role, maintaining nuclear alert status and participating in numerous training and readiness exercises. The 320th Bomb Wing was inactivated in 1960, briefly reactivated in the 1960s and 1980s, and ultimately redesignated before its final inactivation, reflecting shifting Air Force strategies and organizational changes.

The 97th Bombardment Wing (BMW) was first activated during World War II as part of the United States Army Air Forces. Stationed in Italy, the unit played a significant role in the strategic bombing campaign against Axis targets across southern and central Europe. After the war, the 97th was re-designated and later became the 97th Bomb Wing under the newly independent United States Air Force, operating heavy bombers such as the B-29 and B-47 during the early Cold War period. The unit's legacy continues today as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, focusing on airlift and air refueling training.