HISTORY OF THE
307th BOMB GROUP/WING
The 307th
Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated in 1942 by the Army Air Corps Combat
command after an attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United States in war with
Japan. In succeeding years, the 307th
s participation in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict
proved it to be one of the most renowned bombing units in military annals.
On April 15, 1942, the 307th
began operations as a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber unit at Geiger Field,
Washington. Its first mission – to
guard the northwestern United States and Alaskan coasts against armed invasion
– prepared the group for its later role in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
After patrolling the
coastline of America for five months, the 307ths B-17s were replace with the
famous B-24 “Liberators.” Subsequently,
the entire unit was transferred to Sioux City, Iowa, for a brief training
period.
After completing a
three-week familiarization program, the 307ths relocated its entire
cadre and 35 bombers to Hamilton Field, California. Three days later the B-24s deployed to Oahu in the Hawaiian
Islands. An Old Norwegian freighter
slowly transported the remainder of the group to its “pacific Paradise”.
Upon arrival at Oahu, each
of the group’s four squadrons were assigned to different Hawaiian locations –
the 370th to Kipapa, the 371st to Wheeler Field, the 372nd to Kabuka and the 424th
to Mokaleia. Headquarters for the 307th
was centered at Hickam Field.
Finally settled at Oahu, 307th
bombers began search and patrol missions over the surrounding Pacific
area. Maintaining a 24-hour vigil, the
bombers were to avert any naval attack against the Hawaiian Islands.
Group bombers received their
first taste of combat December 27, 1942.
Twenty-seven of the group’s aircraft were deployed from Oahu to Midway
Island. From here, the B-24s staged
their first attack against an enemy fortress on Wake Island. The enemy was taken by surprise during the
predawn raid. Before Japanese units
responded with a barrage of anti-aircraft fire, 307th bombers had
blasted 90 percent of the Wake stronghold.
All aircraft returned safely from what was considered the longest
mass-raid of that time. (It was from this that the 307th
Bomb Group became known as “the Long Rangers”).
The 307th moved
to Guadalcanal in February 1943. From
their new location on the largest of the Solomon Islands, Group bombers
attacked fortified Japanese airfields and shipping installations within the
Southwest Pacific.
At Guadalcanal, round
support troops were subject to massive air attacks by enemy bomber and fighter
aircraft. On a warm day in March 1943,
three waves of Japanese planes blasted the airfield, causing the greatest
number of 307th casualties during the war.
November 11, 1945, the 307th
participated in the largest aerial strike of the South Pacific War. In conjunction with United States naval
elements, group bombers pounded enemy war and merchand ships at Rabaul, New
Guinea. Amidst swarms of Japanese
“Zeros” and heavy anti-aircraft fired, 307th aircraft released their
bombs, leaving the port of Rabaul in complete ruin.
Throughout the remainder of
the war, 307th aircraft continued to cripple the debilitated
enemy. Group elements neutralized
Japanese forces at Yap, Truk, and Palau islands. Bombing strikes against Japanese shipping centers in the
Philippines inhibited the enemy from gaining a further strong hold in the
area. An unescorted attack by group
aircraft against oil refineries at Balikapan, Borneo, and October 3, 1944
helped assure an allied victory in the South Pacific.
Following V-J Day, 1945, 307th
aircraft ferried former American war prisoners form Okinawa to Manila.
No longer needed, the group
returned to the stated in December 1945 and was subsequently deactivated.
While in the Pacific, the
307th was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations – one for an air
strike against Turk on March 29, 1944 and another for a strike against the
refineries at Borneo on October 3, 1944.
The group was also awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for
its active role in the Philippines campaign.
With barely time to form
cobwebs, the 307th Bombardment Group was reactivated August 4,
1946. Located at MacDill Field,
Fla. The group was equipped with huge
B-29 Superfortresses and the wing was appropriately designated “Very Heavy”.
Strategic Air Command (SAC)
then selected the 307th as its first antisubmarine unit in December
1946. Precursor to similar SAC units,
the group acted as a “guinea pig” in the development of new anti-sub tactics
and operational procedures.
During its training years,
the 307th was continually called upon to demonstrate bomber effectiveness. At the 1949 inaugural ceremonies, group
bombers led an aerial display honoring incumbent President Harry S. Truman.
The 307th
continued to train as an anti-sub until war erupted in Korea. In 1950, the group was temporarily assigned
to Kadena airfield on Okinawa.
From the Okinawa airfield,
group bombers staged attacks against the rapidly advancing communist forces in
South Korea. By mid-1953, United
Nations forces had contained the enemy north of the 38th parallel
and the war was more or less over.
While in Okinawa, the 307th
was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its air strikes
against enemy forces in Korea.
Finished with its task in
Korea the 307th returned to the United States in 1954. Assigned to Lincoln AFB, Nebraska, the
group’s B-29s were replaced with swept-winged B-47 Stratojets. The sleek new bombers were the first
jet-propelled aircraft assigned the wing.
The wing was then designated as the 307th Bombardment Wing
(Medium).
In 1962, six of the group’s
B-47s were modified into EB-47s. They
were dubbed the “Pipe Cleaner” aircraft and their mission was to act as an
airborne UHF radio relay platform for promulgation of the emergency action
(Noah’s Arc) messages.
While at Lincoln, the 307th
functioned as a training and alert until deactivation on March 25, 1965.
While at Lincoln AFB, some
of the wings TDY and Reflex stations were located in the UK at Lakenheath,
Upper Hayford, Fairfod and Greeham Common, and in Spain at Moron.
After another brief
retirement period, the 307th was organized from the 4258th
Strategic Wing at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, in June of 1966 to support the
air war in the Republic of Vietnam. Now
designated the 307th Strategic Wing, the two-war veteran unit began
operations as an aerial refueling wing.
Equipped with KC-135 Stratotankers, the wing refueled Vietnam-bound
fighters under the nickname “Young Tiger.”
From 1967 to mind-1970, wing tankers flew over 50,000 sorties and were
credited with 80 aircraft “saves.”
In spring 1967, the 307th
added strategic bombing to its mission.
Equipped with B-52D Stratofortresses, the 307th began high
altitude bombing of enemy targets in South Vietnam on April 11, 1967. Under the operational nickname “Arc Light”,
wing bombers flew over 35,000 strikes against the communist enemy from 1967 to
mid-1970.
During its tenure at Lincoln
AFB, the wing set records that may never be equaled again. They won a SAC Bomb Competition and
participated in the Cuban Missile crisis.
On October 1st 1959 the wing established a never broken SAC
record for 2327 consecutive on-time takeoffs.
Years later after the 307th was deactivated, a crew chief
form the 307tyh received a letter from the last commander of SAC, and in that
letter, Gen. Lee Butler referred to the unit as the “Famous 307th
Bomb Wing”. A fitting tribute to a
proud organization that preformed its mission with style, determination and
panache.
During its brief history in
Southeast Asia, the 307th received three Air Force Outstanding Unit
Awards – two of which were with other Eighth Air Force Units – for their role
in the Vietnam Conflict.
Vince Giroux,
Historian, USSTRATCOM J077 kindly supplied the above information.
Be informed
this reproduction was laboriously typed by an old B-47 Crew Chief from the
“Famous 370th Bomb Squadron” to pay homage to the people we served
with and lost, while we operated from Lincoln Air Force Base, 818th
Air Division, 307th Bomb Wing (M).
Ernest V
Pence.
MISSION OF THE
307TH BOMB WING (M)
The Mission of the 307th
Bombardment Wing (M) is to organize and train a force capable of immediate and
sustained long range offensive bombardment and air to air refueling operations
in any part of the world, utilizing the lasted technical knowledge and advanced
weapons.
What followes is a brief
chronology of the 307th Bombardment Wing (M) from their last mission
in Korea, through their conversion to SAC’s first swept wing jet bomber, though
their training and crisis missions, and their disbanding in 1965. The 307th was formed again as a
tanker wing for the “Vietnam Conflict”, and later in the “Conflict” served as a
“B-52 Wing” Flying “Arc Light” missions.
Men were lost while maintaining the peace during the “Cold War”, and
some during the so-called “Conflict” in Vietnam.
Crewmembers and Enlisted men
all served with distinction and devotion to country that has been the hallmark
of the United States Sir Force since its inception. The 307th Bombardment Wing won SAC’s coveted
“Fairchild Trophy” in 1959 and set records that will never be equaled. Bear in Mind as you read this chronology
that the 307th was equipped with a sophisticated six-engine
bomber. They were stationed in an area
of the country that received all of the extremes of Mother Nature.
Their mission became more
varied and complex as adversary capabilities matured. They began their mission training to penetrate enemy air space at
or above 35,000 feet. Later missions
would see these brave crews flying at three top level, popping up to obtain
their target, making their bomb releases, executing high jinx breakaways and
dropping back down on the deck to doge missiles and triple A. This country owes a great deal to these
brave crews. Things happen very fast at
treetop level at high speed. Theses men
did no have the benefit of terrain following radar when they started these
missions. It is no exaggeration to say
that theses crews were true professionals.
The B-52’s got the headlines, but B-47’s were the backbone of SAC!
THE 307TH
BOMB WING AT LINCOLN AFB
As this is still classified
information. This was the primary
weapon the 307th was prepared to attack with, any time, any weather,
any place, on time and on target!
Word filters through the
grapevine that a truce shall be signed to end the “Korean Conflict” within
twenty-four hours. The B-29’s of the 307th are serviced; bombs and
ammo loaded, preflighted, and take off for their last bomb run of the
conflict. This shall be the 573rd
mission of the conflict for the 307th. Colonel Austin J. Russel of Monett, Missouri shall lead the
raid. There will be a full eclipse of
the moon before they reach the target.
There are thunderstorms over the Yalu River so there will be no fighter
opposition this night. The bombs are
dropped and the wing returns to Kadnea AFB, Okinawa. With this mission the 307th has flown 5,810 sorties
and dropped 58,100 tons of high explosive in Korea during the conflict.
19 January 1954 Kadnea AFB
The wing is flying training
mission in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Colonel Fahy is to schedule the wing for bomb runs on the “Taeso Shoran”
Bomb range. He mentions the fact that
the range has a few unknown factors; e.g., the exact location of the island,
the length of the island, etc.
10 October 1954 Lincoln AFB
Advance party arrives
Lincoln AFB.
26 October 1954 Davis
Monthan AFB
All 307th Bomb
Wing B-29’s complete trip from Okinawa to Davis Monthan AFB.
8 November 1954 Lincoln AFB
The 307th ARS is
attached to the 98th Bomb Wing for support. The 307th Bomb Wing is
reorganized to B-47 unit authorization.
20 November 1954 Lincoln AFB
307th Bomb Wing
Headquarters is opened at LAFB
24 November 1954 Lincoln AFB
The first 307th
Bomb Wing officers begin B-47 transition training.
25 November 1954 Kadena AFB
The 307th rear
echelon departs Kadena AFB
15 December 1954 Lincoln AFB
Colonels Thorup and Hardin
arrive at LAFB to assume their respective positions of commander and deputy
commander of the 307th Bomb Wing.
March 1955 Lincoln AFB
The 307th is one
of last wings in SAC scheduled to be transitioned in the B-47 bomber.
January February and March
1955 Lincoln AFB
The operations and training
section of the 307th Bomb Wing made preparations for the conducting
of the conversation-training program.
28 March 1955 Lincoln AFB
The first crews arrived from
training at McConnell AFB at Wichita.
The first training missions were flown from LAFB in March with the
arrival of 9 B-47’s.
30 December 1955 Lincoln AFB
There were 43 B-47’s and 21
KC-97 type aircraft assigned to the wing.
There were 26 combat ready crews and 17 non-combat ready crews and 19
KC-97 combat ready crews.
1 July 1955 Lincoln AFB
The 307th Bomb
Wing comes under the command of the 8th Air Force. While flying a “Red Cell” mission Capt.
Darwin was attempting to air refuel while penetrating some Cumulus. The tanker attempting to find a hone in the
clouds made several evasive maneuvers, with Capt. Darwin followed. In so doing his aircraft fell of the boom,
stalled, went over on its back and went into a spin. Capt. Darwin recovered the aircraft, returned to the tanker and
received the rest of his fuel. This was
witnessed by the boomer. The boomer and
the B-47 crew are filling out incident reports.
July August September 1955
Lincoln AFB
Three graduation ;type
missions were flown, and the wings official USCM Graduation Exercise, operation
“Melon Rind,” was flown in October
1955.
December 1955 Lincoln AFB
A note of interest in the
Wing History states-there’s nothing one can do about the weather. Nebraska is the land of extremes---when it’s
hot, its torrid; and when it snows, it’s a blizzard. In any case you just don’t fly!
February 1956 Lincoln AFB
The 307th Bomb
Wing participated in Operation “Swan Dive.”
Valuable initial experience and confidence in navigating in semi-polar
areas was accomplished.
1 April 1956 Lincoln AFB
Assigned LAFB Oct 1954, on
April 1st 1956 after a period of 15 months, the Wing was pronounced
“Combat Ready.”
19 June 1956 Lincoln AFB
307th Bomb Wing
made its last ferry flight in connection with the replacement of its older
aircraft. The wing is preparing for
deployment to Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.
3 July 1956 Lincoln AFB
15 B-47 aircraft departed
Lincoln AFB on the 3rd of July and arrived in the United Kingdom as
scheduled. Due to a weather delay, the
second and third waves of B-47’s departed Lincoln two days later than the
planned deployment date. The KC-97’s
were not as fortunate. Due to propeller difficulties they were delayed
indefinitely.
27 July 1956 Lakenheath RAF
Air Base
On Friday afternoon, Crew
R-38 was involved in an aircraft accident in which all crewmembers were fatally
injured. On board were the following
officers and A&E technician: A/C
Commander, Captain Russel R Bowling: Co-Pilot, 2/Lt. Carroll W. Kalberg;
Observer, 1/Lt. Michael J. Selmo; A&E Technician, T/Sgt. John Ulrich.
13 August 1956 Lakenheath
RAF Air Base
The 307th Bomb
Wing participates in operation “Pink Lady.”
Target “Bravo” top of Bell Tower, Tower of London. Target “Golf” center of bridge, Windsor
Castle.
August Or September 1956
Redeployment
The 307th Bomb
Wing loses a transport plane with no survivors. This is missing from the
Wing’s history or omitted for reasons unknown to us. If you have any information or names of the men lost, please
forward it to one of the wing historians.
There were close to 100 of our country’s officers and airmen on that
plane.
The 307th ARS is
preparing for operations at Thule AFB
June 1957 Lincoln AFB
307th ARS A/C
Commander Captain Everett G. Caudel’s being rated pilot of the month in the 8th
Air Force, for successfully landing his KC-97 aircraft with the nose gear in
the full upright position.
November 1957 Lincoln AFB
1st/Lt. Robert J.
Cox, 371st Bomb Squadron was presented the “Soldiers Medal” for the
outstanding heroism he displayed during a fire on the flightline in November
1956, when he saved the life of an airman, and prevented further damage to an
aircraft.
One military disabling
injury was reported in the Wing in November.
This injury, with an estimated loss of 30 days and $900.00 occurred when
A/3C Vernon L. French Jr., 307th ARS fell on iced concrete while
leaving his duty station and received a simple fractured Skill. (Wing TYPO not mine, honest it’s in the Wing
History that way) No horseplay was
indicated in connection with this injury.
The 307th Bomb
Wing is involved in Reflex at Greenham Common RAF air base. The Wing shall maintain 5 aircraft on alert
at this station on a rotational basis.
The B-47 aircraft are to rotate approximately every 8 days.
December 1957 Lincoln AFB
Aircraft 53-4226, a B-47
assigned to the 371st Bomb Squadron was involved in an incident
concerning the Navigator’s ejection seat.
The initial stages of the ejection of the seat occurred from movement of
the rotational locks and leg braces in an unknown manner. This occurred during flight, which caused
the Navigator some concern.
9 January 1958 Greenham RAF
Air Base
The 307th Bomb
Wing Reflexed to Greenham Common with aircraft of the 98th and 310th
Bomb Wings. They shall maintain an
Alert Force there and at their home bases.
February 1958 Lincoln AFB
In February 307th
crews participated in operation “Noon Day”.
This operation supplied training for crews from the 307th and
helped evaluate the defense capability of the 37th Air
Division. Various radars were
encountered and fighter opposition was F-84, F-89, F-94, F-100, and
F-102’s. Sweep jamming and burst Chaff
Tactics were used.
In February of 1958 the
average alert response time at Greeham Common for 15 aircraft was 4.5 minutes
for Alfas, 7.7 for Bravos.
SAMPLE ALERT MESSAGE:
“THIS IS COTTER PIN”,
PREPARE TO COPY, BREAK, THIS IS A PRACTICE, REPEAT PRACTICE, SAC ALERT. “TEAM PLAY” GROUND RULES APPLY. NOTIFIY THE
SENIOR COMMANDER PRESENT AND INITIATE ALERTING PROCEDURES. BREAK. TIME 0140
HOURS ZULU. YOUR AUTHENTICATION
IS---------------
April 1958 Lincoln AFB
During April of 1958 a near
miss with a tower that was not on the sectional maps was a hair-raiser for a
“Pop Up” crew. It was near Wessington
Minnesota. The two towers were approximately
600 foot tall.
May 1958 Lincoln AFB
In May of 1958 we began to
send aircraft to depots for operation “Milk Bottle” so they would be safe for
“Pop Up” missions. General Sweeney
visited and was pleased with what he saw.
1 January 1959 Lincoln AFB
The 307th
Bombardment Wing along with other units at Lincoln AFB, was transferred to the
Strategic Air Command (SAC) Second Air Force located at Barksdale AFB,
Louisiana on 1 January 1959. The 307th
Bomb Wing “Alert Effectiveness” was scored at 100% in January 1959.
7 January 1959 Harmon AFB
The 307th ARS
aircraft began rotation to LAFB from Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland.
14 January 1959 Lincoln AFB
The 307th Bomb
Wing was directed to fly four aircraft in support of an Air Research and
Development Command (ARDC) project (Swordfish) on 14 January and 23 January,
four flights on each day.
February 1959 Lincoln AFB
The effectiveness score for
the 307th Bomb Wing’s Alert Force in February was 100%. The 307th ARS shall support the
340th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, and Missouri during the period that
the 340th is TDY to Lajes.
October 1959 Lincoln AFB
A successful unit simulated
combat mission coded “Team Scrimmage” as flown in conjunction with other flying
training.
November 1956 Lincoln AFB
The 307th
participated in operation “Red Mike” (team scrimmage), operations order 312-60,
during November. This was a no notice
simulated combat mission and special weapons exercise. Generally the aircraft
were to start refueling hear Hastings Nebraska, start the Electronic Counter
Measure near Hibbing Minnesota, and start the navigation leg next to Hibbing
but near the western most border of North Dakota. From there the navigation leg pointed toward Yellow Stone
National Park, then turn toward Oklahoma where the 4 ship cell was to fan out
at Oklahoma City, to head for the pre-initial point at McCallister,
Oklahoma. The initial point was at Fort
Gibson, Oklahoma and the first target at Joplin, Missouri. The aircraft were than to swing into
Kentucky and turn northwest for the second target at Saint Louis and then
return to Lincoln. The raw scores
received form headquarters SAC gave the Wing 97.5% in generation, for a
“satisfactory” score, 90% in mission effectiveness, for and “outstanding”
score, and 96.2% in bombing reliability, for another “outstanding” score.
December 1959 Lincoln AFB
For the month of December
the 307th Bomb Wing was able to record the first 100% reliable high
altitude synchronous bombing since conversion to B-47’s.
WATER/ALCHOL NO WATER/ALCHOL
GROSS WEIGHT RAMP 209,000 LBS. 204,000 LBS.
FUEL USED START ENG.
& TAXI -3,000 LBS. -3,000
LBS.
START ROLL GROSS/WT 206,000 LBS 201,000 LBS
TEMP. (CRITICAL MAX.) 70 deg 30 deg
PRESSURE ALTITUDE 1,500 1,500
CRITICAL FIELD
LENGTH (MAX) 12,700
FT 12,700 FT
August 1960 Lincoln AFB
There is a shortage of “Jet
Mechanics”. Higher headquarters has
directed that Jet Mechanics be used in lieu of vehicle operators. The result is
that each flight line section that is authorized 63 personnel actually performs
duty with approximately 40.
September 1960 Lincoln AFB
During a “CoCo” alert
aircraft 53-2139 was taxing toward the active runway when the A/C felt a thud,
all instruments checked normal and he continued. Another A/C called a right outrigger fire on the aircraft. The tire had blown and left the rim. With a full EWO load the rim soon ran down
to the bearing and caused a fire.
10 September 1960 Lincoln
AFB
SAC aircraft participate in
operation “Skyshield.” Aircraft of the
818th Air Division provide a simulated aggressor attack against the
North American Continent. (This was a North American Air Defense
Command exercise, ;which lasted for a 24-hour period. All civilian air traffic, including commercial airlines stood
down for the duration of the exercise).
Aircraft form the 307th
Bomb Wing participated in operation “Clutch Pedal.” In the case of the 307th, 2 each aircraft were flown
to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and to General Mitchel Field,
Milwaukee Wisconsin.
December 1960 Lincoln AFB
The 307th Bomb
Wing was short by 36 men for the Jet Mechanic ore 2 Engine AFSC.
1961 note: The concept of flying “flying relay” stations came into being shortly after explosives ruined a relay station in Nevada in 1961. Contracts were let and two prototype B-47’s ere modified to serve this purpose. First step in making this plan operational came in July 1962 when the four support squadrons were activated.
The 307th
Completed the first quarter of 1961 by again scoring 100% in 50-8 training
requirements.
1 May 1961 Lincoln AFB
The 307th was
required to flay a “Big Blast” mission once each month. The 307th Bomb Wing phase was to
be referred to as “Tan Glove”.
Specifically, SAC was to conduct B-47 and B-52 multiple aircraft
penetration missions with maximum ECM.
10th Through 21st
July 1961 Lincoln AFB
3908th
Standardization Group (SSG) visited the 307th Bomb Wing. This group was to administer flight checks
and to evaluate the standardization activity of the wing. Specific areas checked by SSG included Alert
procedures, take-off and climb, bombing, radar navigation, celestial and
celestial grid nave, celestial assistance, safety, emergency procedures,
electronic countermeasure procedures, instrument check, air refueling, traffic
pattern, and landing. The only area
listed that did not score 100% was instrument checks for 88.8%.
30 August 1961 Lincoln AFB
Complete conversion of all
aircraft for operation “Clip In” was completed as of 30 August 1961.
October 1961 Lincoln AFB
The 307th fails
an ORI, action taken included key personnel changes, reorganization of one
squadron, retaining and re-evaluation.
11 March 1962 Lincoln AFB
The 307 is released from
probationary status.
April 1962 Lincoln AFB
No engine changes caused boy
FOD for the entire month.
May 1962 Lincoln AFB
Another entire month with no
engine changes caused by FOD.
It is discovered that poor
bombing reliability on the “Steel Man Express Route”, was primarily caused by
the poor quality of the 200 series air target
chart.
June 1962 Lincoln AFB
Release of Airmen held over
for the Berlin Crisis caused some maintenance reliability and moral
problems. On 12 June 307th
officials were alerted to the fact that in accordance with the “Single
Integrated Operations Plan” for fiscal year 1963 (SIOP63), 307th
reflex aircraft and crews would move to Greenham Common, United Kingdom.
17 August 1962 Lincoln AFB
First “Pipe Cleaner”
missions flown by 4362nd PACCS (Post Attack Command Control
Squadron). Last of Reflex B-47’s at
Moron AFB switched to Reflex at Greenham Common.
2 September 1962 Lincoln AFB
Reflex tour for B-47 crews
in Europe and North Africa would be 21 days instead of 28. On 4 September a message was received which
outlined the responsibilities for 2 “Pipe Cleaner” B-47 aircraft and their
participation in operation “Dominic”
nuclear tests in the Pacific.
22 October 1962 Lincoln AFB
Orders were published
directing the initial dispersal of 307th Bomb Wing personnel and
aircraft in support of SAC air operations at civilian airfield. Four aircraft were directed to General
Mitchel Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 8 aircraft were ordered to Duluth
Municipal Airport, Duluth, Minnesota.
All Reflex deployments and redeployments were canceled during the “Cuban
Crisis.”
December 1962 Lincoln AFB
There is a slight lull after
the wing returns to normal operations after the Cuban Missile Crisis and the
307th prepares for “Pipe Cleaner” missions. “Pipe Cleaner” was the nickname for “Post
Attack Command and Control System” (PACCS),
of which the 307th 4362nd Support Squadron is
part. The mission of the 4362nd
and the entire “Pipe Cleaner” system was to provide survivable UHF radio
communication links between Airborne Command Posts and SAC aircraft over the
Continental US and Canada.
7 March 1963 Lincoln AFB
Major Jim Meeks is killed
when his lap belt fails to open because a gas port was not drilled when it was
manufactured. He experienced a fire on
the aft fuselage during an “ATO” take off.
He was known to his squadron friends as “Soldier Meeks”, and to the crew chiefs as “Tiger Jim Meeks”
for his salty conversation during preflight.
July 1963 Lincoln AFB
The 307th is
alerted to exposure of operation “Golden Jet Bravo.”
September 1963 Lincoln AFB
“Noah’s ARC” aircraft are
experiencing wet transmitters after all missions, problem turned over to
OCAMA. EB-47L aircraft at Mountain Home
AFB, are not experiencing wet transmitters.
October 1964 Lincoln AFB
The 307th has 60
B-47 aircraft assigned at the end of October 63. Only 45 of theses aircraft are authorized, with 47 actually
possessed by the Wing. Lt/Colonel James
M. Pumford, 4362nd Support Squadron Commander, retired from the Air
Force. Lt/Colonel Russel M. Heller,
Jr. assumed command of the 4362nd
. He was formerly with the Wings 371st
Bomb Squadron.
21 January 1964 Lincoln AFB
The 307th Bomb
Wing is awarded the Revere Bowl and e square boxes for the best “Bar None” July
through December 1963.
6 April 1964 Lincoln AFB
The 307th
received an excellent rating on the ORI,
which began April 6.
3 June 1964 Lincoln AFB
The Wing is sending “high
hour” aircraft to Davis Monthan for destruction. Wings that are deactivating ore sending their low hour aircraft
to the 307th.
During a night “MITO” the
last aircraft in a 3-ship cell experienced and inboard engine fire on the #3
engine. The crew aborted takeoff and
successfully egressed the aircraft. The
aircraft was consumed in the fire.
January 1965 Lincoln AFB
The 307th
Bombardment Wing begins deactivation at a rapid pace. The send their B-47’s to Davis Monthan AFB where in an earlier
era, they had deposited their B-29’s.
There is much more to the History of this fine group of professionals who gave so much of themselves. A large part of it is stored on microfilm and this set of notes was taken form that film. There is more information stored at Maxwell AFB in the Historical Department, but it remains there because some of it is still classified. Most of our losses were deleted from the film we were sent, the reason for that is this late date escapes us all. Whoever reads this short history in the future can only imagine the climate of the times, the tenses political situations, the sacrifices in blood, sweat and tears. These men endured long hours of tedium and moments of terror while serving their country under a command that could no accept anything less than perfection because of the times we lived in.
WE BOUGHT YOU A SHORT TIME OF PEACE, HOW LONG IT ENDURES IS UP TO YOU. LIKE THE MAN SAYS, IF YOU LOVE FREEDOM, THANK A VET.
I HAVE WRITTEN THESE NOTES TO HELP MY COMRADES IN ARMS REMEMBER THEIR FRIENDS. Forgive the errors that I may have made, they are unintentional. I am not a writer, just a b-47 crew chief from a bygone era.
Fellow 307th
Bomb Wing Member, Ernest V Pence
The powers that be in the
Historical Section at Maxwell AFB have removed most references to any of our
aircraft loses. We all feel it is
important that our people be remembered.
If you know any of the people we lost from the time the Wing received
it’s B-47
S until we were disbanded
please write their names on the back of this sheet of paper (or leave email on
this page). If you can remember the
date and circumstances that would be nice.
MEMORY JOGGERS
55 or 56 we lost a b-47 by
Ceresco.
60 or 61 we lost 2111 with
an engine fire (inboard) on takeoff. Copilot survived.
63 we lost Soldier Meeks on
an ATO takeoff. Did all of his crew get out?
55 or 56 we lost a B-47 on
the fuel pits when a NG plane landed on the pits and struck the plane. There were 1 or 2 crew chiefs in the bomb
bay when the plane was struck.
58 or 59 a plane from the
310th was on fire and had to drop his wing tanks over Greeham
Common. One tank went through the
hanger roof and blew up a bird and one of our crew chiefs.
56 rotating back from
Lakenheath to the states one of our transports went down with
approximately 90 or more of our people
on it. There were no survivors.
59 or 60 we lost Maj.
Ecelbarger on a daytime ATO take off.
There were 4 men on the plane, WHO WAS WITH HIM?
There may have been more,
“Please help us fill in the blanks” We have Capt. Bowling and his crew, which
went down at Lakenheath.
“LEAST WE
FORGET”