397th Bomb Wing

• Short-Lived Existence: The 397th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) was an active unit of the United States Air Force for a brief period, from 1963 to 1964. • Strategic Air Command Assignment: The wing was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC), the U.S. Air Force's main nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War. • Stationed at Dow Air Force Base: The 397th Bomb Wing was based at Dow Air Force Base, Maine, a key location for SAC operations during its activation. • B-52 Stratofortress Operator: The wing was equipped with the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, one of the most iconic long-range strategic bombers in history. • Replacement for 4038th Strategic Wing: The 397th took over the personnel, equipment, and mission of the 4038th Strategic Wing as part of SAC's reorganization of its strategic wings. • Emphasis on Nuclear Readiness: The wing's primary mission was nuclear deterrence, maintaining a constant state of readiness during the height of the Cold War. • Short Activation Due to Basing Changes: The 397th Bomb Wing was inactivated in 1964 when Dow AFB was transferred to the Tactical Air Command, and SAC operations there ceased. • Lineage from World War II: The 397th Bomb Wing carried the lineage of the 397th Bombardment Group from World War II, which flew B-26 Marauders in the European Theater. • Unique Insignia: The unit had its own distinctive unit patch and insignia, representing its identity within SAC. • Legacy in Air Force History: Although its operational period was short, the 397th Bomb Wing is remembered as part of SAC's legacy of maintaining global strategic reach and nuclear deterrence during a critical era.