Bomber Units Early Strategic Air Command Patch 4039th Strategic Wing 1959-63 75th Bomb Squadron 1959-63 416th Bombardment Wing 1959-90 416th Wing 1990-92 416th Bomb Wing 1992-95 668th Bombardment Squadron 1959-90 668th Bomb Squadron 1990-95 668th Bomb Squadron Desert Storm 416th Combat Support Group 1970-95 416th Combat Defense Squadron 1963-68 416th Security Police Squadron 1968-95 416th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron 1963-74 416th Munitions Maintenance Squadron 1963-92 416th Field Maintenance Squadron 1963-92 416th Organizational Maintenance Squadron 1963-92 (Old Version) 416th Organizational Maintenance Squadron (Newer Version) 416th Maintenance Squadron 1992-95 416th Avionics Maintenance Squadron 1963-92 416th Intermediate Level Maintenance Squadron 416th Transportation Squadron 1970-95 416th Supply Squadron 1970-95 416th Supply Squadron Customer Support 416th Mission Support Squadron 1992-95 416th Service Support Squadron 1992-95 416th Operations Support Squadron 1992-95 416th Armament & Electronic Maintenance Squadron 416th Civil Engineering Squadron 1970-95 416th Veterans Support Squadron 416th Base Hospital Strategic Air Command The elite of the Air Force was the Strategic Air Command or commonly referred to as SAC. This was the brainchild of General Curtis LeMay. General LeMay was highly respected among his peers. SAC was his life and it was a command that he wanted perfected by all who served under him. The strategic location of Griffiss made the base an ideal location for a SAC mission. This would be a major change to a base who’s primary objective was Air Defense, Maintenance and Research. A new 2 ¼ mile runway was laid and was one of the largest at the time. In 1958 SAC Headquarters announced that Griffiss would indeed receive a Bomber and Air Refueling mission. Griffiss was slated to receive the new B-52 bombers and KC-135 Stratotankers. In 1970 SAC took over control of the base and became its primary mission until the base was deactivated in 1995. 4039th Strategic Wing On January 5, 1959 the 4039th Strategic Wing was activated. However, the B-52’s did not arrive until a year later on January 12, 1960. The B-52 was named “The Mohawk Valley” and still stands guard at Griffiss today. The only Bombardment Squadron assigned to the 4039th was the 75th Bombardment Squadron. They were put on Alert Status and rotated all over the world in order to rule the skies. 416th Bombardment Wing In an effort to perpetuate the linage of famous Air Force Squadrons of World War II, many units were re-designated. The 4039th, through internal transfer, became the 416th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in 1963. The original 416th was part of the 9th Air Force and saw heavy combat duty over Europe. The 75th also transferred their resources to become the 668th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). In 1970, SAC became the host mission of Griffiss. The 416th participated in Operation Arc Light, Linebacker, Busy Road Oscar, and Linebacker 2 during the Vietnam War. In 1990 under a massive reorganization the unit became known as the 416th Wing. The 416th also helped to support bombing missions during Operation Desert Storm. Reorganizations again created a new designation, this time as the 416th Bomb Wing. Budget cuts, not a nuclear war, were to spell the end of an era at Griffiss. On September 20, 1995 the last B-52 took off from Griffiss. Shortly after takeoff, the 416th Bomb Wing was deactivated and then Griffiss. Return Home Griffiss Home Next Page: Fighters This page has been visited times.