303 Aeronautical Systems Wing (AFMC)

Lineage. Established as 303 Bombardment Wing, Medium, on 27 Aug 1951. Activated on 4 Sep 1951. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 15 Jun 1964. Redesignated 303 Tactical Missile Wing on 19 Aug 1986. Activated on 12 Dec 1986. Inactivated on 31 Jan 1989. Consolidated (23 Jun 2006) with the Reconnaissance Systems Wing, which was established on 23 Nov 2004. Activated on 18 Jan 2005. Redesignated 303 Aeronautical Systems Wing on 14 Jul 2006. 

Assignments. 36 Air Division, 4 Sep 1951 (attached to 5 Air Division, 5 Oct-6 Nov 1952; 7 Air Division, 4 Mar-5 Jun 1954; 3 Air Division, 4 Jul-4 Oct 1956 and 5 Apr-4 Jul 1958); 12 Air (later, 12 Strategic Aerospace) Division, 15 Mar 1960-15 Jun 1964. Third Air Force, 12 Dec 1986- 31 Jan 1989. Aeronautical Systems Center, 18 Jan 2005-. 

Operational Components. Group: 303 Bombardment: 4 Sep 1951-16 Jun 1952 (not operational). Squadrons: 9 Air Refueling: attached 15 Jan-5 Oct 1952 and 15 Nov 1952-25 Apr 1953. 43 Air Refueling: 15 Mar-15 Nov 1960. 87 Tactical Missile: 12 Dec 1986-31 Jan 1989. 303 Air Refueling: attached 4 Sep 1951-8 Apr 1952 (not operational); assigned 18 Feb 1953-1 Feb 1956 (detached 19 Apr-2 Jun 1955). 358 Bombardment: attached 4 Sep 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-15 Jun 1964. 359 Bombardment: attached 4 Sep 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-15 Jun 1964. 360 Bombardment: attached 4 Sep 1951-15 Jun 1952, assigned 16 Jun 1952-15 Jun 1964. 427 Bombardment: 1 Dec 1958-1 Jan 1962 (not operational, 1 Sep 1961-1 Jan 1962). Detachments: Det, 96 Air Refueling Squadron: attached c. 4 Jul-c. 4 Oct 1956. 

Stations. Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 4 Sep 1951-15 Jun 1964. RAF Molesworth, UK, 12 Dec 1986-31 Jan 1989. Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 18 Jan 2005-. 

Commanders. Col Frederick J. Knorre Jr., 4 Sep 1951; Col David Wade, 9 Oct 1951; Col John K. Hester, 14 Feb 1952; Col Manford J. Wetzel, 26 Jan 1953; Col John K. Hester, 30 Mar 1953; Col William J. Wrigglesworth, 12 Jun 1954; Col Donald W. Saunders, 19 Nov 1954; Col Lloyd H. Dalton Jr., 25 Aug 1956; Col William W. Jones, 8 Dec 1956; Col Landon E. McConnell, 6 Oct 1958; Col William C. Bacon, 1 Nov 1958; Col Max W. Rogers, 1 Jan 1962-15 Jun 1964. Col Kent E. Harbaugh, 12 Dec 1986; Col Wendell S. Brande, 18 Aug 1988-31 Jan 1989. 

Aircraft and Missiles. B-29, 1951-1953; KB-29, 1952, 1952-1953; B-47, 1953-1964; KC-97, 1953-1956, 1956, 1960. BGM-109G, GLCM, 1987-1988.

Operations. Trained for strategic bombardment and air refueling operations to meet Strategic Air Command's global commitments. Deployed to Sidi Slimane AB, French Morocco, 5 Oct-6 Nov 1952; Greenham Common RAF Station, England, 17 Mar-28 Apr 1954; Fairford RAF Station, England, 28 Apr-5 Jun 1954; and Anderson AFB, Guam, 4 Jul-4 Oct 1956 and 5 Apr-5 Jul 1958. Trained for operation of Ground Launched Cruise Missile in England Dec 1986-Jan 1989. 

Service Streamers. None. 

Campaign Streamers. None. 

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1961-31 Mar 1962; 12 Dec 1986-31 Jul 1988. 

Bestowed Honors. Authorized to display the honors earned by the 303 Bombardment Group prior to 4 Sep 1951. Service Streamers. None.  Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Air Combat, EAME. Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: (Germany), 11 Jan 1944. 

Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 2 Aug 2006.
 
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Jan 1989. 

Supersedes published information in Charles A. Ravenstein, Air Force Combat Wings: Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947-1977 (Washington: USGPO, 1984). 

Emblem. Approved on 11 Dec 1951.

Prepared by Carl E. Bailey.

Reviewed by Daniel L. Haulman.