2nd Bomb Group (H)
7 Dec. 1941 - 28 Feb. 1946
20th Bomb Sq (H) • 49th Bomb Sq (H)
96th Bomb Sq (H) • 429th Bomb Sq (H)
The 2d Bombardment Group relocated
to Ephrata, Washington, then to Great
Falls, Montana in 1942. Received newer
B-17 aircraft and deployed to Algeria
in North Africa. From Algeria and
Tunisia, the Group's 20th, 49th, 96th and
429th Squadrons began combat operations
in early 1943. From December 1943
to end of WWII, it struck targets deep
into Nazi-held Europe from Italy during
412 combat missions. It suffered punishing
losses on successive days. It was awarded
2 Distinguished Unit Citations. The Group
earned battle honors for 14 campaigns
in North Africa and Europe.
[left panel] Sept. 1918 - Dec. 1941
1st Day Bombardment Group - later (1921) designated
2d Group (Bombardment). WWI in France
with DH-4 and Brequet aircraft moved from
Kelly Field, Texas in 1922 to Langley Field,
Virginia. During next 20 years at Langley, it
demonstrated effectiveness of aerial
bombardment and long range navigation.
The 2d Bombardment Group twice earned
the coveted MacKay Trophy and received
the first dozen Y1B-17 aircraft. The mother
of bombardment aviation provided cadres
for groups being equipped with the Flying
Fortress. Early WWII - flew B-17 and
B-25 aircraft on anti-submarine patrols.
[right panel] 2nd Bomb Wing SAC
Davis-Monthan Field (Tucson) Arizona 1947 - the
2d Bombardment Group was equipped with the
B-29 Super Fortress in 1947. Formed nucleus
for the 2d Bombardment Wing. Relocated to
Chatham AFB (Savannah) Georgia in 1949 and
to nearby Hunter AFB in 1950 and equipped
with B-50 and KB-29 aircraft. Aerial refueling
deployments to England and
Morocco began with B-47 and KC-97 air
craft in 1963 - Wing relocated to Barksdale
AFB (Shreveport) Louisiana with the
B-52 and KC-135. It conducted combat
operations in Southeast Asia during 1972.
The KC-10 tanker was added in 1981.
——————
Combat operations conducted during
Operation Desert Storm
16 January - 27 February 1991
[center bottom panel]
2nd Bomb Wing
Air Combat Command
The 2nd Bomb Wing has participated in several combat
actions since Operation Desert Storm. Operation Desert
Strike was carried out in 1996 to counter Iraq's disregard
for United Nations mandates and military build up. This
was the first time the B-52H was used in combat. In
Operation Desert Fox the 2nd was tasked with destroying
Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The Wing also
participated in Operation Alled Force, striking military
targets in Kosovo. Since September 11, 2001, the 2nd Bomb
Wing has played a pivotal role in Global War on Terrorism
in both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
[rear of monument]
World War I • World War II
Vietnam • Southwest Asia
In memory of those who served in the
U.S. Air Force's oldest bombardment unit.
Courtesy hmdb.org
