Lineage. Established as the Special Weapons Command (a Major Command), and activated on 1 Dec 1949. Redesignated Air Force Special Weapons Center (lost Major Command status) on 1 Apr 1952. Inactivated on 1 Apr 76. Redesignated Nuclear Weapons Center on 14 Feb 2006. Activated on 31 Mar 2006. Redesignated Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center on 29 Feb 2008.
Assignments. Headquarters United States Air Force, 1 Dec 1949; Air Research and Development (later, Air Force Systems) Command, 1 Apr 1952-1 Apr 1976. Air Force Materiel Command, 31 Mar 2006-.
Stations. Kirtland AFB, NM, 1 Dec 1949-1 Apr 1976. Kirtland AFB, NM, 31 Mar 2006-.
Commanders. Brig Gen Howard G. Bunker, 1 Dec 1949; Maj Gen John S. Mills, 10 Oct 1950; Maj Gen William M. Canterbury, 25 Jun 1954; Maj Gen Charles M. McCorkle, 27 Jul 1959; Maj Gen John W. White, 2 Jul 1962; Col Ralph S. Garman, 1 Mar 1966; Brig Gen David V. Miller, 1 Jul 1967; Col James E. Paschall, 23 Jul 1969; Col Algernon G. Swan, 24 Jul 1970; Maj Gen Thomas W. Morgan, 17 Nov 1972; Maj Gen Maurice R. Reilly, 29 Aug 1975-1 Apr 1976.
Operations. The Nuclear Weapons Center was originally established as a Major Command to direct specialized organizations dealing with atomic and other unconventional weapons. Because much of the work involved research and development, it lost its status as a Major Command and was absorbed by the Air Research and Development Command in Apr 1952, but continued to do research and development on special weapons until 1976.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. None.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 5 May 2008.
Commanders and Operations through Apr 1976.
Supersedes statement prepared on 16 Mar 2006.
Emblem. Approved on 9 May 2006.
Prepared by MSgt Johnny Montgomery.
Reviewed by Carl E. Bailey.