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Home > Fact Sheets > 498 Nuclear Systems Wing (AFMC)
498 NUCLEAR SYSTEMS WING (AFMC)
Posted 2/8/2010
Printable Fact Sheet
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In accordance with Chapter 3 of AFI 84-105, commercial reproduction of this emblem is NOT permitted without the permission of the proponent organizational/unit commander.
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Lineage. Established as 498 Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 19 Nov 1943. Activated on 20 Nov 1943. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946. Redesignated as 498 Tactical Missile Group, and activated, on 16 Sep 1960. Organized on 8 Feb 1961. Inactivated on 31 Dec 1969. Redesignated as 498 Armament Systems Wing on 14 Feb 2006. Activated on 31 Mar 2006. Redesignated as 498 Nuclear Systems Wing on 1 Apr 2009.
Assignments. 73 Bombardment Wing, 20 Nov 1943; Fifteenth Air Force, 19 May-4 Aug 1946. Pacific Air Forces, 16 Sep 1960; 313 Air Division, 8 Feb 1961-31 Dec 1969. Nuclear Weapons Center, 31 Mar 2006-.
Operational Components. 514 Bombardment: 15 Oct 1945-7 Mar 1946. 873 Bombardment (later, 873 Tactical Missile): 20 Nov 1943-4 Aug 1946; 8 Feb 1961-8 Jul 1965. 874 Bombardment (later, 874 Tactical Missile): 20 Nov 1943-4 Aug 1946; 8 Sep 1961-8 Jul 1965. 875 Bombardment: 20 Nov 1943-4 Aug 1946. 876 Bombardment: 20 Nov 1943-10 May 1944.
Stations. Clovis AAFld, NM, 20 Nov 1943; Great Bend AAFld, KS, 13 Apr-13 Jul 1944; Isley Field, Saipan, 6 Sep 1944-2 Nov 1945; March Field, CA, Dec 1945; MacDill Field, FL, 5 Jan-4 Aug 1946. Kadena AB, Okinawa, 8 Feb 1961-31 Dec 1969. Kirtland AFB, NM, 31 Mar 2006-.
Commanders. None, not manned, 20 Nov -10 Dec 1943; Lt Col Joseph H. West, 11 Dec 1943; Maj Crocker Snow, 20 Jan 1944; Col Wiley D. Ganey, 14 Mar 1944; Col Donald W. Saunders, 10 Aug 1945-unkn; Col Richard T. King Jr., unkn-4 Aug 1946. Lt Col Clyde R. Borchers, 8 Feb 1961 (acting), 19 Jul 1961; Col Warren E. Vinzant, 1 Aug 1961; Col Hubert W. Gainer, 17 Jul 1965; Col Peter H. Spear, 27 Jan 1967; Col Merle Johnson, 18 Jul-31 Dec 1969. Unkn, 31 Mar 2006; Col Harry L. Andrews, 26 Jun 2006; Col Richard M. Stuckey, 24 Jun 2008-.
Aircraft and Missiles. B-17, 1944. B-29, 1944-1946. RB-24, 1944. Mace, 1961-1969.
Operations. Trained in B-17s and B-29s and moved to Saipan Jul-Nov 1944. Flew its first combat missions against Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. On 24 Nov 1944, participated in the first assault on Japan by B-29s operating from the Marianas. Conducted numerous attacks against industrial targets in Japan, flying in daylight and at high altitude to carry out these missions. Received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for striking an aircraft engine plant at Nagoya on 13 Dec 1944. Began flying missions at night in Mar 1945, operating from low altitudes to drop incendiaries on area targets in Japan; received a second DUC for incendiary raids on urban industries near Kobe and Osaka during Jun 1945. Operations also included strikes against Japanese airfields during the Allied invasion of Okinawa in Apr 1945. Returned to Okinawa in 1961 and was equipped with Mace Missiles and provided air defense of the Ryuku Islands through 1969. Since its activation in Mar 2006, the wing sustains US nuclear munitions and cruise missiles, including their maintenance, storage, modernization and acquisition support activities for both the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 13 Dec 1944; Japan, 1-7 Jun 1945. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 8 Feb 1961-29 May 1963; 1 Jul 1965-31 Dec 1966; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1967; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1968; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1969.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, Commanders, and Honors through 22 Dec 2009.
Aircraft and Missiles through 31 Dec 1969.
Emblem. Approved on 25 Aug 2009.
Supersedes statement prepared on 20 Mar 2006.
Prepared by Carl E. Bailey.
Reviewed by Daniel L. Haulman.
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