28th Bomb Wing
The 28th Bomb Wing is a United States Air Force unit headquartered at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, functioning as the base's host wing and executing strategic bombing missions with a fleet of 27 B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers.[1] Its core mission centers on delivering precision strikes globally to support national objectives, maintaining combat readiness under Air Force Global Strike Command.[2] Established on 28 July 1947 and activated shortly thereafter at what became Ellsworth AFB, the wing represents the longest continuous assignment of any Air Force unit to a single installation.[3] Organized into operations, maintenance, mission support, and medical groups, the 28th Bomb Wing oversees approximately 3,500 personnel who ensure the operational tempo of bomber sorties, including alert postures and expeditionary deployments. Historically, it has transitioned through heavy bombers such as the B-29, B-36 Peacemaker, and B-52 Stratofortress before adopting the B-1B in 1987, contributing to deterrence operations during the Cold War and post-Cold War contingencies.[3] The wing earned the 2024 Air and Space Forces Association Outstanding Unit Award for exemplary performance in sustaining global strike capabilities.[4] As of July 2025, Colonel Erick D. Lord commands the wing, emphasizing readiness for rapid bomber generation in support of unified combatant commands.[5]Overview and Mission
Strategic Role and Capabilities
The 28th Bomb Wing, assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command, executes the United States Air Force's strategic deterrence and global strike missions through long-range conventional bombing operations. Its primary mission is to deliver precision munitions on target anywhere in the world, supporting national objectives with rapid, flexible power projection.[6][2] The wing maintains combat readiness for Bomber Task Force deployments, demonstrating intercontinental reach and integration with joint forces to deter aggression and respond to crises.[7] The wing's core capability centers on the B-1B Lancer, a supersonic, variable-sweep-wing heavy bomber designed for low-altitude penetration and high-payload delivery of conventional weapons, including up to 75,000 pounds of ordnance such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions. As of 2025, it operates a fleet of approximately 27 B-1B aircraft, enabling sustained operations with capabilities for hot-pit refueling and rapid generation of the entire fleet during exercises like Raider Reach.[8][9] These assets support 24/7 alert postures and global strikes, having logged extensive combat hours in operations such as Enduring Freedom.[10][11] Complementing its bomber force, the 28th Bomb Wing hosts the tenant 89th Attack Squadron, which conducts remotely piloted aircraft operations with MQ-9 Reapers for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strikes, enhancing the wing's multi-domain strike portfolio. This integration allows for layered effects in contested environments, prioritizing empirical demonstration of sortie generation and weapon employment over theoretical projections.[8] The wing's strategic value lies in its proven ability to mobilize and sustain high-tempo operations, as evidenced by recent full-fleet surges and awards for operational excellence.[12][13]Current Leadership and Command Structure
The 28th Bomb Wing is a subordinate unit of the Eighth Air Force, which operates under Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), the major command responsible for the nation's strategic deterrence mission including bomber, intercontinental ballistic missile, and nuclear command, control, and communications forces. Eighth Air Force, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, provides combat-ready forces for rapid global strike operations and is commanded by Major General Jason R. Armagost.[14] AFGSC, based at Barksdale AFB, is led by General Stephen L. Davis, who assumed command on October 17, 2025, succeeding General Thomas A. Bussiere.[15][16] At the wing level, Colonel Erick D. Lord serves as commander, having taken the position on July 25, 2025, during a ceremony presided over by Armagost; Lord previously served as deputy commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB.[17][18] The wing's senior enlisted leader is Command Chief Master Sergeant Tia G. Mullins, who advises on enlisted matters and assumed the role in June 2024; a native of Rapid City, South Dakota, Mullins has focused on enhancing morale and warfighting readiness.[19][20] The wing's command structure encompasses four primary groups—the 28th Operations Group, 28th Maintenance Group, 28th Mission Support Group, and 28th Medical Group—each led by a colonel reporting directly to the wing commander, enabling integrated operations, maintenance, logistics, and healthcare support for the B-1B Lancer fleet and approximately 4,500 personnel at Ellsworth Air Force Base.[21] This hierarchical setup ensures alignment with AFGSC's strategic priorities, including bomber task force deployments and global strike readiness.[22]| Position | Incumbent | Assumed Role |
|---|---|---|
| Wing Commander | Col. Erick D. Lord | July 25, 2025 |
| Command Chief | CMSgt Tia G. Mullins | June 2024 |
| Eighth Air Force Commander | Maj. Gen. Jason R. Armagost | Current as of 2025 |
| AFGSC Commander | Gen. Stephen L. Davis | October 17, 2025 |
Organizational Components
Flying and Operations Squadrons
The 28th Operations Group directs the flying and operations squadrons of the 28th Bomb Wing, providing combat-ready B-1B Lancer aircrews, airfield management, intelligence support, and operational planning at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.[23] These units execute the wing's primary mission of delivering long-range precision strikes in support of global combatant commanders, including Bomber Task Force deployments and deterrence operations.[24] As of 2025, the squadrons operate approximately 27 B-1B aircraft, capable of supersonic speeds, a range exceeding 5,900 miles without refueling, and payload capacities of up to 75,000 pounds of ordnance.[9] The 34th Bomb Squadron, nicknamed the "Thunderbirds," conducts strategic bombing missions with B-1B Lancers, emphasizing non-stop continental United States-to-United States flights and forward deployments to regions like the Pacific and Europe for Bomber Task Force operations.[25][26] In August 2024, squadron aircraft completed a continuous CONUS-to-CONUS mission demonstrating extended endurance and refueling proficiency.[25] Command of the squadron transferred to Lt. Col. Robert Wasil in April 2024.[27] The 37th Bomb Squadron, known as the "Tigers," similarly flies B-1B Lancers for conventional and nuclear-capable strike missions, achieving notable recognition including the 2023 Mitchell Trophy for superior bombing accuracy and the 2022 Omaha Trophy from U.S. Strategic Command for outstanding unit performance.[28][29] Squadron personnel generated multiple bombers for alert postures in January 2024, underscoring rapid surge capabilities.[30] Leadership passed to Lt. Col. Christian Hoover in April 2024.[31] The 28th Operations Support Squadron handles non-flying operations, including air traffic control, weather services, intelligence analysis, weapons and tactics development, and crew training standardization to enable the bomb squadrons' missions.[23] It manages airfield operations and supports overall group readiness without assigned aircraft.[32]Maintenance and Support Units
The 28th Maintenance Group oversees all aircraft maintenance for the 28th Bomb Wing's fleet of 27 B-1B Lancer bombers at Ellsworth Air Force Base, ensuring operational readiness through repair, inspection, and logistics support.[33] It consists of four primary squadrons: the 28th Maintenance Squadron, which performs on- and off-equipment repairs for aircraft structures, systems, and engines; the 28th Munitions Squadron, tasked with munitions storage, inspection, assembly, and weapons loading for combat missions; and the 34th and 37th Bomber Generation Squadrons, which coordinate phased maintenance, sortie generation, and deployment support aligned with the wing's 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons.[34][35][36] These units emphasize rapid mobilization and precision, as demonstrated in exercises where the group generated the entire B-1B fleet for alert postures, contributing to awards like the Ellis Giant Sword Trophy for superior bomber maintenance in fiscal year 2023.[9][36] The group's innovations, such as deploying mobile cold spray systems for additive manufacturing repairs, enhance mission sustainment by reducing downtime on critical components.[37] The 28th Mission Support Group provides infrastructure and operational sustainment services essential to base functions, including civil engineering for facilities maintenance and construction, security forces for installation protection, communications squadrons for network and cyber operations, logistics readiness for supply chain management, and services for personnel welfare such as morale, welfare, and recreation programs.[6] This group ensures the seamless integration of support elements, enabling the wing's strategic deterrence mission by maintaining secure, efficient base operations amid high-tempo flying activities.[2]Bases and Facilities
Ellsworth Air Force Base Operations
The 28th Bomb Wing, as the host unit at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, directs strategic bomber operations and base-wide functions in support of Air Force Global Strike Command's global strike mission. Until January 2025, the wing maintained a fleet of 27 B-1B Lancer bombers, enabling rapid deployment for deterrence, training, and combat support, including Bomber Task Force missions to the Indo-Pacific and munitions delivery in exercises like Raider Reach.[8] [7] [38] On January 22, 2025, the last B-1B Lancer assigned to the wing departed Ellsworth for Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, to accommodate a $129.5 million runway reconstruction project spanning December 2024 to November 2025. This upgrade, involving full pavement replacement and infrastructure enhancements, prepares the airfield for heavier stealth bombers while temporarily displacing flying operations.[39] [40] Approximately 800 wing personnel relocated temporarily to Grand Forks to sustain B-1 readiness during the closure, conducting generation exercises and mission planning from remote sites.[41] Ellsworth is the U.S. Air Force's initial operational base for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, with infrastructure modifications underway to support squadron arrivals, formal training units, and low-observable maintenance without halting base activities. As of September 2025, B-21 flight testing progresses at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where the second test aircraft achieved initial flight milestones, targeting initial operational capability in the mid-2020s.[34] [42] The 28th Operations Group oversees airfield management, radar approach control, combat deployment planning, and support for the tenant 89th Attack Squadron, which has conducted MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft missions via ground control stations since 2012. The 28th Maintenance Group monitors equipment readiness, executes munitions handling, and participates in base defense drills, such as an August 2025 active shooter response exercise involving over 100 personnel to validate security protocols.[23] [8] [33] [43]Historical Stations and Relocations
The 28th Bomb Wing was established as the 28th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy, and activated on 28 July 1947 at Rapid City Army Air Field, South Dakota.[8] Operations formally began on 15 August 1947, with the wing assuming control of subordinate bombardment squadrons previously aligned under the 28th Bombardment Group.[3] The base underwent redesignations, becoming Rapid City Air Force Base in February 1948 and Ellsworth Air Force Base on 13 June 1953, in honor of Brigadier General Earle E. Ellsworth.[3] Since its activation, the wing has maintained a continuous primary station at Ellsworth Air Force Base, supporting strategic bombardment, reconnaissance, and later conventional operations without permanent relocation.[3] This tenure exceeds 77 years as of 2025, making it the longest-assigned host wing at the installation.[8] Subordinate units have periodically deployed or conducted temporary shifts for training and maintenance, but the wing headquarters and core operations remained fixed at Ellsworth through multiple redesignations, including transitions to heavy bombardment in 1949, strategic reconnaissance in 1950, and back to bombardment by 1951.[3] Notable temporary relocations of wing assets have supported infrastructure upgrades and mission continuity. In December 2024, 17 B-1B Lancer aircraft and approximately 800 personnel from the 28th Bomb Wing relocated to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, to enable runway reconstruction at Ellsworth preparatory to B-21 Raider integration and B-1 phaseout.[38] This move, involving the full operational B-1 fleet, was completed by 22 January 2025, with personnel and aircraft sustaining readiness from the temporary site during the 10-month project.[44]Historical Formation and Early Operations
World War II Origins
The 28th Composite Group was constituted on 22 December 1939 and activated on 1 February 1940 at Lowry Field, Colorado, as part of the United States Army Air Corps' prewar expansion to bolster air defenses in remote areas.[45] Initially equipped with a mix of fighter and light bombardment aircraft, including Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and North American O-47 observation planes, the group underwent training focused on composite operations combining air defense, reconnaissance, and ground support roles.[46] By early 1941, it had transitioned to preparations for Arctic conditions, reflecting strategic concerns over potential threats to North American territories amid rising tensions with Japan.[47] In February 1941, the group relocated to Elmendorf Field, Alaska Territory, where it operated under the Alaskan Air Force (later redesignated Eleventh Air Force) and formed a core element of regional defense against Japanese expansionism.[46] Its squadrons, including the 21st, 64th, and 77th Bombardment Squadrons, flew missions with aircraft such as Bell P-39 Airacobras, Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, Martin B-26 Marauders, and early Consolidated LB-30 Liberators, conducting patrols, antisubmarine searches, and strikes to counter enemy incursions.[48] Following the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor on 3-4 June 1942, elements of the group participated in bombing raids that contributed to repelling the invading fleet and disrupting subsequent operations in the Aleutian Islands chain.[46] Throughout 1943, the group supported the Allied campaign to reclaim Japanese-held positions, including sustained bombardment of fortifications on Kiska Island until the enemy evacuation in July-August 1943, employing Douglas B-18 Digbys and later Consolidated B-24 Liberators for long-range heavy bombing.[46] Redesignated the 28th Bombardment Group (Composite) on 11 December 1943 to emphasize its evolving heavy bombardment emphasis, it continued defensive and offensive operations in harsh Alaskan environments until the war's end.[45] The group was inactivated on 20 October 1945 at Elmendorf Field, having logged thousands of combat hours in extreme weather that tested equipment reliability and aircrew endurance.[47] This WWII service established the foundational lineage for the postwar 28th Bombardment Group and, ultimately, the 28th Bomb Wing, inheriting honors for Arctic defense contributions.[49]Postwar Reorganization
Following World War II, the 28th Bombardment Group, which had conducted operations in Alaska as part of the defense against Japanese threats in the Aleutians, was inactivated in late 1945 as the U.S. Army Air Forces demobilized combat units.[46] This inactivation aligned with broader postwar drawdowns, reducing active squadrons from over 2,400 in 1945 to fewer than 1,000 by 1947 amid budget constraints and the shift to a peacetime footing.[50] In 1947, as part of the Hobson Plan to reorganize the emerging U.S. Air Force into a more efficient structure with numbered wings controlling subordinate groups, the 28th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy, was established on 28 July 1947.[51] The wing was formally organized on 15 August 1947 at Rapid City Army Air Base (later Ellsworth Air Force Base) in South Dakota, inheriting the lineage of the 28th Group and focusing on strategic bombardment capabilities with B-29 Superfortress aircraft initially.[3] This reorganization emphasized centralized command under wing headquarters to enhance readiness for potential future conflicts, reflecting first-principles priorities of maintaining airpower deterrence without the wartime expansion.[50] Assigned to the newly formed Strategic Air Command (SAC) from its inception, the wing underwent redesignation to 28th Bombardment Wing, Medium, on 12 July 1948, adapting to evolving mission requirements amid the onset of the Cold War.[3] By 1949, it transitioned to Convair B-36 Peacemaker bombers, commencing operations at Ellsworth in July of that year with squadrons such as the 72nd, 717th, and 718th Bombardment Squadrons, which supported SAC's emphasis on intercontinental nuclear delivery.[52] These changes consolidated the unit's role in SAC's bomber force, prioritizing empirical assessments of range, payload, and reliability over prewar dispersed models.Cold War Deterrence Era
Strategic Air Command Assignment
The 28th Bombardment Wing was established on 28 July 1947 and organized on 15 August 1947 as a Very Heavy bombardment unit under the newly activated Strategic Air Command (SAC), reflecting the U.S. Air Force's postwar emphasis on long-range strategic capabilities.[3] Initially equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, the wing was assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force and stationed at Rapid City Army Air Field in South Dakota, which was redesignated under SAC control on 21 March 1946 and later became Ellsworth Air Force Base.[8] By July 1949, the wing transitioned to Convair B-36 Peacemaker bombers, operating these intercontinental aircraft through squadrons such as the 72nd, 717th, and 718th Bombardment Squadrons until May 1957, enabling global strike missions in support of nuclear deterrence.[52] From 1950 to 1955, the wing conducted global strategic reconnaissance missions using RB-36 variants, with bombardment designated as a secondary role starting in 1954 before shifting primary focus to bombardment training in 1955, aligning with SAC's evolving doctrine for alert postures and rapid response.[3] During the 1960s, as a heavy bombardment wing, it maintained B-52 Stratofortress operations from Ellsworth AFB, participating in airborne alert programs and forward deployments such as Operation Chrome Dome until its phase-out in 1968, while also overseeing the integration of Minuteman missiles via the 850th Strategic Missile Squadron activated in October 1960.[53] The wing's SAC assignment emphasized continuous nuclear readiness, including Reflex deployments to forward bases in Europe and Alaska from November 1960 onward, ensuring a persistent strategic deterrent against Soviet threats.[54] Throughout the Cold War, the 28th Bomb Wing remained under SAC until the command's inactivation on 1 June 1992, during which it exemplified the triad of bomber, tanker, and missile forces at Ellsworth, contributing to national deterrence through rigorous training, global strike exercises, and alert commitments that peaked during crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis.[3] This assignment underscored SAC's reliance on wings like the 28th for maintaining a credible second-strike capability, with aircraft and crews generating sorties for simulated and actual wartime scenarios.[55]Nuclear Alert and Readiness Missions
The 28th Bombardment Wing, operating B-52 Stratofortress heavy bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base under Strategic Air Command, maintained a continuous ground alert posture as part of SAC's nuclear deterrence framework from the late 1950s through the 1980s. This involved positioning a dedicated portion of the wing's aircraft—typically loaded with thermonuclear weapons and configured for the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP)—in hardened alert facilities, with aircrews on 15-minute standby for scramble launch in response to early warning of intercontinental ballistic missile attack or bomber incursions. The readiness regime emphasized rapid generation and dispersal to survive initial strikes, reflecting SAC's causal emphasis on credible second-strike capability derived from survivable forces rather than preemptive postures.[56] Alert missions included frequent scramble drills to validate response times and crew proficiency, as demonstrated in July 1975 when 28th Bomb Wing aircrews rushed to their B-52s during a simulated alert exercise at Ellsworth, underscoring the operational tempo required for nuclear readiness. The wing's B-52s, transitioning to the H-model by the 1960s, integrated standoff weapons like the AGM-28 Hound Dog nuclear cruise missile, which extended strike range and was tested in airborne alert configurations to mitigate vulnerability to Soviet air defenses. These missions contributed to SAC's broader alert force, where approximately one-third of heavy bombers nationwide remained on constant alert, enabling execution of retaliatory strikes within hours of presidential authorization.[57] Readiness exercises extended to intercontinental proficiency flights and participation in large-scale SAC operations, such as daily sorties routed over the eastern United States and Canada for refueling and navigation training, ensuring crews maintained qualifications for polar and transoceanic routes to Soviet targets. By the mid-1980s, prior to the wing's transition to B-1B Lancers, Ellsworth-based assets under the 28th supported ground alert for airborne command post aircraft like the EC-135, which provided redundant C2 for nuclear forces during heightened tensions. This posture persisted until SAC's dissolution in 1992, after which nuclear missions at the wing shifted away from alert commitments.[56][58]Post-Cold War Transitions
Realignment to Conventional Roles
Following the inactivation of Strategic Air Command on June 1, 1992, and the activation of Air Combat Command on the same date, the 28th Strategic Wing was redesignated the 28th Bomb Wing and realigned under ACC, emphasizing conventional strike capabilities over strategic nuclear deterrence.[59][3] This structural change reflected the post-Cold War drawdown of dedicated nuclear alert postures, with the wing divesting its KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling mission in June 1992 and its EC-135 airborne command post operations in September 1992 to streamline focus on bomber-centric roles.[3] The B-1B Lancer fleet, central to the wing's operations at Ellsworth Air Force Base, underwent a doctrinal shift to exclusive conventional employment, with nuclear weapons delivery capability removed across the platform fleet in the early 1990s as part of broader arms control and force modernization decisions.[60] By 1993, the 28th Bomb Wing integrated modifications for enhanced conventional payload and precision-guided munitions, enabling rapid global deployment; in August of that year, two B-1Bs from the wing completed the first circumnavigation of the globe by the aircraft type, validating its extended-range conventional strike potential without nuclear armaments.[10][3] This realignment positioned the wing for integration into joint conventional operations, prioritizing low-altitude penetration and high-volume ordnance delivery against time-sensitive targets, while retaining the B-1B's supersonic dash and terrain-following radar for contested environments.[61] The transition reduced overhead from dual-role nuclear/conventional training, allowing the wing's squadrons—such as the 34th, 37th, and 28th Bomb Squadrons—to certify crews for theater-level conventional bombing, setting the stage for deployments in subsequent conflicts.[60]Gulf War and Initial Post-Cold War Deployments
During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the 28th Bomb Wing contributed to coalition air efforts by deploying KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from its 28th Air Refueling Squadron and EC-135 airborne command post aircraft from the 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, operating from August 1990 to March 1991 to provide aerial refueling and command, control, and communications support over the Persian Gulf region.[51] These assets enabled extended-range missions for strike and reconnaissance aircraft, with the wing's tankers facilitating the massive air campaign that involved over 100,000 sorties, though specific sortie counts attributable to the 28th's aircraft are not publicly detailed in declassified records.[51] The deployments involved approximately 200-300 personnel rotating through forward operating locations in Saudi Arabia and other theater bases, underscoring the wing's transition from strategic nuclear deterrence to conventional power projection amid the realignment of Strategic Air Command forces.[51] In the immediate post-Cold War years following the Soviet Union's dissolution in December 1991, the 28th Bomb Wing, redesignated under Air Combat Command on June 1, 1992, shifted focus toward expeditionary training and contingency operations with its mix of B-1B Lancer bombers, KC-135R tankers, and EC-135 command aircraft. Elements of the wing deployed to Egypt for bilateral exercises in November 1993 and again from August to December 1999, emphasizing interoperability with regional partners and sustainment of long-range strike capabilities in arid environments.[3] Additional rotations to RAF Fairford, England, occurred in May-June 1996 and June-July 1997, supporting NATO-aligned bomber task force simulations and tanker operations to maintain readiness for European contingencies.[3] A pivotal early contingency came in November 1997, when the wing deployed four B-1B Lancers and supporting crews to Diego Garcia and other Southwest Asia bases amid heightened tensions with Iraq under Operation Southern Watch, representing the B-1's inaugural combat-related deployment and validating its conventional munitions delivery in a real-world scenario with over 100-hour non-stop missions supported by in-flight refueling.[51] These operations honed the wing's ability to integrate with joint and coalition forces, delivering precision-guided munitions against Iraqi air defense targets and demonstrating the platform's 40,000-pound payload capacity, though limited by initial software constraints on certain ordnance types until later upgrades.[51] By the late 1990s, such deployments had solidified the 28th's role in enforcing no-fly zones and deterring aggression, with tanker elements continuing to underpin global reach for U.S. Central Command missions.[8]Modern Operations and Deployments
Global War on Terror Engagements
In response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the 28th Bomb Wing rapidly deployed B-1B Lancer bombers from the 37th Bomb Squadron to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, establishing the 28th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron alongside elements from the 34th Bomb Squadron to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.[59][3] The wing's B-1s conducted their first combat sorties on October 7, 2001, achieving over 95% mission effectiveness while comprising 5% of total strike aircraft missions.[59] Over the initial phase, these aircraft flew 644 sorties from Diego Garcia, delivering 43% of all bombs dropped during the first six weeks of the campaign, including 2,974 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), 1,471 Mk-82 bombs, 135 Mk-84 bombs, and 70 CBU-87 cluster munitions, accounting for 39% of total bomb tonnage expended.[3][59] For its contributions from September 2001 to March 2002, the wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" device.[3] A notable milestone occurred on November 22, 2001, when a 28th Bomb Wing B-1B flew a nonstop, 40-hour, 16,000-mile round-trip mission from Ellsworth Air Force Base to Afghanistan and back, dropping two JDAMs on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in support of ground forces; this established a record for the longest bombing mission in history at the time.[51] The 28th Air Expeditionary Wing, drawing from the bomb wing's personnel and assets, sustained continuous B-1 operations over Afghanistan, emphasizing precision strikes against terrorist leadership, training camps, and infrastructure.[62] The wing extended its efforts to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, deploying squadrons including the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons to undisclosed forward operating locations in the Middle East for high-tempo close air support and interdiction missions over Iraq.[23][59] These deployments focused on suppressing Iraqi air defenses, striking regime command centers, and supporting coalition ground advances, leveraging the B-1B's capacity for rapid payload delivery in contested environments.[59] The 28th Bomb Wing's overall Global War on Terror posture positioned it as Air Combat Command's lead B-1 unit for expeditionary operations, with personnel rotations contributing to sustained aerial campaigns against terrorist networks.[59]Recent Exercises and Bomber Task Force Missions
The 28th Bomb Wing has conducted multiple Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions in recent years to demonstrate strategic bomber readiness, integrate with allies and partners, and support U.S. deterrence objectives across combatant commands. In February 2024, B-1B Lancers from the wing deployed to Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, for BTF 24-2, marking the first such mission to Sweden and involving cross-combatant command operations under U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa.[63][64] This deployment concluded in early March 2024 as part of the Large-Scale Global Exercise 2024, emphasizing rapid global reach and interoperability.[65] Later in 2024, the wing executed BTF 24-6 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, with four B-1B Lancers and over 200 personnel from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron generating more than 100 sorties to enhance Pacific deterrence.[7][66] The wing completed two BTF deployments overall that year, contributing to its recognition with the 2024 Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award for operational excellence.[12] In January 2025, aircrews from the 34th Bomb Squadron departed Ellsworth for BTF 25-1, followed by a February mobilization of the entire B-1B fleet under the "Guardians of the North" effort, deploying multiple aircraft and support elements from the 34th Bomb Squadron to forward locations.[67][68] Recent exercises have focused on combat readiness, base defense, and infrastructure resilience amid ongoing runway reconstruction at Ellsworth AFB from December 2024 to November 2025, which prompted temporary relocation of 17 B-1B Lancers and approximately 800 personnel to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.[69][70] In July 2025, the 28th Security Forces Squadron led Cerberus Defender 2025, a multi-day field training exercise honing skills in mission planning, threat response, weapons proficiency, tactical combat casualty care, and canine operations against diverse scenarios.[71] The wing also conducted Raider Reach to test overall combat readiness and an August 2025 active shooter response evaluation.[72][43] Earlier, in July-August 2023, wing personnel led Red Flag-Nellis 23-3, commanding Blue Force operations in high-intensity simulated combat despite extreme desert conditions.[73] These activities underscore the wing's adaptability during the transition toward B-21 Raider integration.[12]Aircraft and Technological Evolution
Historical Aircraft Assignments
The 28th Bomb Wing, upon activation in August 1947 at Rapid City Army Air Field (later Ellsworth AFB), was equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers as its primary strategic aircraft, reflecting its initial very heavy bombardment mission under Strategic Air Command.[59] These piston-engine bombers, capable of long-range nuclear delivery, were operated until mid-1949 when the wing began transitioning to more advanced platforms amid post-World War II force modernization.[51] In July 1949, the wing received Convair B-36 Peacemaker intercontinental bombers, including both bomber (B-36D/H) and reconnaissance variants (RB-36D), with up to 24 RB-36Ds assigned by June 1950 for strategic reconnaissance roles after redesignation as the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in 1955.[51] The six-engine (plus four jet-assisted) B-36s, the largest piston-powered aircraft ever produced, supported Cold War deterrence until their phase-out, with the last departing Ellsworth on 29 May 1957.[52] Concurrently, Boeing EC-135 airborne command post aircraft were integrated starting in 1965 for post-attack command and control (PACCS) missions, including launch control for Minuteman ICBMs under the 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, continuing until 1994.[3][59][51] The wing transitioned to jet-age strategic bombing with Boeing B-52 Stratofortress models arriving in June 1957, initially B-52Ds followed by upgrades to B-52Gs and conversion to B-52Hs by 1977 for enhanced nuclear and conventional capabilities.[3][52] B-52 operations emphasized alert postures and global strike readiness until the wing's full conversion to Rockwell B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers, with the first B-1B received on 21 January 1987, marking the end of B-52 assignments.[10]| Aircraft Type | Assignment Period | Key Roles and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing B-29 Superfortress | 1947–1949 | Initial heavy bombardment; long-range nuclear delivery.[59][51] |
| Convair B-36/RB-36 Peacemaker | 1949–1957 | Intercontinental bombing and reconnaissance; up to 24 RB-36Ds for strategic intel.[51][52] |
| Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (D/G/H) | 1957–1987 | Primary strategic bomber; alert forces, global missions; upgraded to H-model in 1977.[3][52] |
| Boeing EC-135 | 1965–1994 | Airborne launch control and command post; supported Minuteman missiles via 4th ACCS.[3][59][51] |
| Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 1987–present | Supersonic conventional/nuclear bomber; full wing transition by late 1980s.[10] |