Lineage

Established as 17th Bombardment Wing, Light, on 8 May 1952. Activated on 10 May 1952. Redesignated 17th Bombardment Wing, Tactical, on 1 Oct 1955. Inactivated on 25 Jun 1958. Redesignated 17th Bombardment Wing, Heavy, and activated, on 15 Nov 1962. Organized on 1 Feb 1963. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1976. Redesignated 17th Reconnaissance Wing on 20 Jan 1982. Activated on 1 Oct 1982. Inactivated on 30 Jun 1991. Redesignated 17th Training Wing, and activated, on 1 Jul 1993.

Assignments

Fifth Air Force, 10 May 1952; Ninth Air Force, 1 Apr 1955?25 Jun 1958 (attached to Nineteenth Air Force, 15 Dec 1956?15 Dec 1957). Strategic Air Command, 15 Nov 1962; 40th Air Division, 1 Feb 1963; 6th Air Division, 1 Jul 1963; 57th Air Division, 1 Jul 1965; 817th Air Division, 2 Jul 1968; 45th Air Division, 2 Jul 1969; 40th Air Division, 1 Jul 1971; 42d Air Division, 1 Jul 1973; 14th Air Division, 30 Sep 1975?30 Sep 1976. 7th Air Division, 1 Oct 1982?30 Jun 1991. Second Air Force, 1 Jul 1993?.

Components

Group. 17th: 10 May 1952?25 Jun 1958.

Squadrons. 9th Air Refueling: 30 Sep 1975?30 Sep 1976. 34th: attached 8 Jun 1957?25 Jun 1958; assigned 1 Feb 1963?30 Sep 1976. 37th: attached 8 Jun 1957?25 Jun 1958. 95th: attached 8 Jun 1957?25 Jun 1958; assigned 1 Oct 1982?30 Jun 1991. 903d Air Refueling: 30 Sep 1975?30 Sep 1976. 922d Air Refueling: 1 Feb 1963?30 Sep 1975.

Stations

Pusan-East AB, South Korea, 10 May 1952; Miho AB, Japan, 10 Oct 1954? 20 Mar 1955; Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, 1 Apr 1955?25 Jun 1958. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 1 Feb 1963; Beale AFB, CA, 30 Sep 1975?30 Sep 1976. RAF Alconbury, England, 1 Oct 1982?30 Jun 1991. Goodfellow AFB, TX, 1 Jul 1993?.

Commanders

Col Albert W. Fletcher, 10 May 1952; Col Glen C. Nye, 3 Jun 1952; Col William C. Lindley, Jr., 7 Oct 1952; Col Clinton C. Wasem, 10 Oct 1952; Col Murdoch W. Campbell, c. Aug 1953; Col Daniel F. Tatum, c. Sep 1953; Col George D. Hughes, 8 Jul 1954; Col Walter H. Williamson, 4 Aug 1954; Col George D. Hughes, 4 Sep 1954; Col Howard F. Bronson, Jr., 10 Sep 1954; Col Carroll H. Bolender, 9 May 1956; Col Reginald J. Clizbe, 25 Jun 1956; Col Kenneth C. Dempster, 31 Mar?25 Jun 1958. None (not manned), 15 Nov 1962?31 Jan 1963; Col George H. Fulcher, 1 Feb 1963; Col Mason A. Dula, 1 Jun 1965; Col Clifford W. Hargrove, 1 Jan 1967; Col Raymond P. Lowman, 17 Jul 1967; Col James B. Vogler, Jr., 20 Nov 1968; Col Alfred R. Grimm, 12 Jan 1970; Brig Gen Ray B. Sitton, 26 Jun 1970; Col Thomas F. Rew, 24 May 1971; Col John D. Mash, 8 Jun 1972; Col Thomas P. Conlin, 12 Jun 1972; Col Andrew Pringle, Jr., 12 Feb 1973; Col Henry W. Boardman, 3 Jun 1974; Col George R. Savage, 8 Ju1 1975; Lt Col Ovidio Pugnale, 4 Aug 1975; Col Philip A. Brennan, 30 Sep 1975; Col John J. Tobin, 6 Apr?30 Sep 1976. Col George V. Freese, 1 Oct 1982; Col Thomas C. Lesan, 28 Jul 1983; Col James E. Wrenn, 16 Aug 1985; Col Arthur Saboski, 16 Jul 1987; Col John L. Sander, 6 Jun 1989; Col Charles W. Hinkle, 20 Feb?30 Jun 1991.

Aircraft

B?26, 1952?1956; B?57, 1955?1956; B?66, 1956?1958. B?52, 1963?1975, 1975?1976; KC?135, 1963?1975, 1975?1976. TR?1, 1982?1991.

Operations

Replaced 452d Bombardment Wing, Light, in South Korea and conducted combat operations, 10 May 1952?27 Jul 1953. Operations included night intruder light bombardment missions against enemy supply centers, communications and transportation; interdiction of North Korean railroads; armed reconnaissance; and close air support for ground forces. Afterwards, maintained operational proficiency for light bombardment in Japan until moved to the United States, then trained to maintain tactical proficiency under TAC until inactivation. Replaced 4043d Strategic Wing in Feb 1963 and trained to maintain proficiency in strategic bombardment and aerial refueling on a global basis. Furnished B?52 aircrews and KC?135 aircraft and crews to SAC units involved in combat operations in Southeast Asia, 1965?1975. Taken off alert at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, on 30 Jun 1975 and phased down, transferring aircraft by 7 Jul. Moved without personnel or equipment to Beale AFB, CA, on 30 Sep 1975 and absorbed resources of the 456th Bombardment Wing, including B?52G and KC?135Q aircraft. Continued global strategic bombardment alert to 30 Jun 1976 and used tanker aircraft primarily to refuel SR?71s of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1976. Activated in England on 1 Oct 1982. Flew tactical and strategic surveillance missions in Western Europe until inactivated in 1991. Received the Cullen Trophy for providing "the greatest contribution to the intelligence gathering efforts of SAC" in 1989 and 1990. Many of the wing?s assets and personnel supported operations in Southwest Asia by ferrying aircraft and equipment from Alconbury, England, to Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. Korea: Korea Summer?Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer, 1953. Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1963?31 Mar 1964; 1 Jul 1971? 30 Jun 1973; 1 Jul 1985?30 Jun 1987; 1 Jul 1988?30 Jun 1990. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 24 May 1952?31 Mar 1953.

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display honors earned by 17th Bombardment Group prior to 10 May 1952.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Air Combat, EAME Theater.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Italy, 13 Jan 1944; Schweinfurt, Germany, 10 Apr 1945. French Croix de Guerre with Palm: Apr, May, and Jun 1944.

Emblem

Or, seven crosses patee in pale Sable. Motto: TOUJOURS AU DANGER ? Ever into danger. Approved for 17th Group on 2 Nov 1937 and for 17th Wing on 27 May 1952 (24960 AC).