"Strength and Confidence"

The distinguished and colorful history of the 380th BW dates back to 28 October 1942 when the unit was established. The 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3 November 1942 at Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, AZ. Originally, the 380th BG consisted of four bombardment squadrons, the 528th, 529th, 530th and 531st. Shortly after being activated, the group moved to Biggs Field, El Paso, TX where it underwent extensive combat training. After completing training, the 380th BG moved to Lowry Field, Denver, Co. to undergo final combat training. In early May 1943, the Group arrived in the Northern Territory of Australia. The 380th BG was the only B-24 unit attached to the Royal Australian Air Force and was assigned to the Darwin area in the Northern Territory to secure Australia's safety against threatened Japanese invasion. Upon its arrival in Australia, the 380th BG immediately began combat operations. During April and May 1944, the 380th engaged in the most intensive and sustained operations since arrival in the Southwest Pacific, neutralizing the rear bases through which the Japanese might reinforce their air force in the Wakde-Hollandia area. From the end of May 1944 until it moved to the Philippines in February 1945, the 380th BG concentrated on neutralizing enemy bases, installations and industrial compounds in the southern and central East Indies. In April 1945, Far East Air Force relieved the 380th of its ground support commitments in the Philippines. During the month, the Group flew the first heavy bomber strikes against targets in China and French Indochina. In June 1945, the 380th was placed under the operational control of the 13th Air Force for pre-invasion attacks against Labuan and Balkpapan in Borneo. For nearly two weeks, the Group's Liberators kept these targets under a state of aerial siege. After the Borneo raids, the 380th flew its last missions to Formosa.

After the cessation of hostilities, the 380th flew reconnaissance patrols over the Japanese islands and ferried released prisoners of war to Manila. On 18 October 1945, the unit was transferred to the 7th Air Force, where it participated in the Sunset Project, the return of B-24s and their crews to the United States. The 380th Bombardment Group remained inactive from 20 February 1946 until its redesignation from Heavy to Very Heavy on 13 May 1947. On 29 May 1947, the Group was activated at McDill Field, Tampa, Fla., as a reserve unit. The group remained an inactive reserve unit until being called to active duty on 1 May 1951. Fifteen days later on 16 May 1951, after the personnel had been processed for active duty and transferred to other units for service in the Korean War, the Group was deactivated.

The 380th Bombardment Wing (Medium) was activated at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Plattsburgh, NY on July 11, 1955. At the same time, the 528th, 529th and 530th Bombardment Squadrons were also activated. During July and August, the personnel assigned to the Wing arrived at Plattsburgh. In December 1955, the first B-47 was assigned to the Wing but instead of being flown to Plattsburgh AFB, was delivered to Pinecastle AFB, Florida, at Det 1, 380th BMW because of the delays in completing the facilities at Plattsburgh.

Major Harold L. Neal piloted the first flight of a B-47 by a 380th's crew on Jan.27, 1956 at Pinecastle. For the next several months, training continued while additional B-47s were assigned to the Wing. By the end of January 1956, 16 B-47s were assigned to the wing and increased to 30 by the end of April. The first B-47E arrived on March 21, 1956 piloted by Brigadier General Kenneth O. Sanborn, first commander of the 820th Air Division headquartered at Plattsburgh AFB. The aircraft was christened "City of Plattsburgh" the next day. In September 1956, the 380th Air Refueling Squadron, flying the KC-97s, was transferred to Plattsburgh AFB from Sheppard AFB, TX. The Wing was declared combat ready on Oct.1, 1956.

In April 1957, the 380th deployed to Brize Norton, UK for a three months period. During this deployment, Wing's B-47 inaugurated the "Three Capitals" air race. The occasion was the Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget Field in Paris, France. On May 28, 1957, three B-47s from the 380th BW took off from Brize Norton and flew over Le Bourget to start the race. The objectif of the race was to fly from Paris to Madrid to Rome and back to Paris, and the prize was the General Electric Trophy. A B-47E from the 529th BS won the 2,346 statute miles race in 4 hours 12 minutes and 7 seconds, with an average speed of 558 miles per hour.The aircraft, commanded by Capt. Robert E. Sheridan was piloted by 1st Lt. J.L.Mombrea with Capt. Frank R. Beadle as Observer. The wing redeployed to PAFB in June 1957.

On July 18, 1957, the Wing suffered its first peacetime major accident. A KC-97G from the 380th ARS with a crew of eight exploded and crashed into Lake Champlain when 2 of the 4 engines failed 3 minutes after take-off from Plattsburgh AFB at 9:28 p.m. On October 1, 1957, SAC commenced 24-hour alert status and the 380th BW was incorporated into the SAC alert force. During February 1959, the Wing gained both the 820th Air Base Group and the 4020th USAF Hospital. Both of these units had previously been assigned to the 820th Air Division, located at Plattsburgh AFB. The 531st BS was activated and assigned to the 380th in May 1959. Later that year, on Aug.7, another unit was attached to the Wing from the 820th AD, the 26th Air Refueling Squadron. The 531st was deactivated on Jan.1, 1962.

During 1961 and 1962, the physical appearance of the area surrounding Plattsburgh AFB underwent changes as construction began on 12 "Atlas F" missile sites. The sites were built within a 50 miles radius of the base and were completed in 1963, at an average cost of $3 million each. The missile silos were built inside gigantic holes 174 feet deep and 54 feet wide into solid rock. Approximately 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and tons of structural steel were used in each hole to create a blast proof, underground silo, protected by massive overhead doors for the 81-feet missiles. A single underground blockhouse containing launch consoles and personnel quarters was constructed at each site. The squadron was equipped with 13 missiles, allowing each silo to have its Atlas missile with one left for spare. When one missile in a silo was scheduled for maintenance, the spare missile kept at PAFB was sent to replace it. This allowed the 380th to maintain 12 ready to launch missiles seven days a week. All sites were in New York state except for two located on the other side of Lake Champlain in Vermont.The 556th Strategic Missile Squadron, formerly assigned to Dow AFB, Maine, was transferred to Plattsburgh AFB on October 1,1961 and became completely operational on Dec. 20, 1962. This was the last Atlas squadron to be accepted and the only Intercontinental Ballistic Missile base east of the Mississipi River. The 556th's last operational day was April 30, 1965 with the Squadron's inactivation on June 25, 1965.

Between July 20, 1962 and December 24, 1964, the 380th also flew EB-47 assigned to the 4365th Post Attack Command and Control Squadron. On Jan.15, 1962, the Wing suffered its second aircraft lost when a B-47E assigned to the 529th BS on a routine training flight making bomb runs over Fort Drum crashed on the southeast slope of Wright's Peak ( a mountain top 60 miles south of Plattsburgh AFB). The wreckage was discovered on the 21st by a group of US Army pilot from Fort Devens, Mass. Later that same year, on Oct.22, 1962, the Wing responded to the Cuban Missile Crisis by deploying eight of its B-47s to a dispersal base. These aircraft and personnel stayed at the dispersal base until Nov.25, 1962 with the remaining aircraft and personnel on alert at Plattsburgh AFB.

On Sept.15, 1964, the 380th Bombardment Wing was redesignated the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing (Heavy) and was composed of three B-47 squadrons (528th, 529th and 530th), the 380th Air Refueling Squadron, the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron, the 380th Combat Support Group and the 820th Medical Group. On Sept. 18, the Wing received its first KC-135A flown by Col. Harold J. Whiteman and a four-man crew composed of Maj. Creston Fowler (commander),Capt. Robert J. Svoboda (co-pilot), Capt. Robert D. Smith (navigator) and TSgt. Roy W. Rebstock (boomer). The aircraft was christened the same day, "Spirit of the North Country" by Mrs Gladys Ellison. Mrs Ellison's husband was SMSgt. Guin B. Ellison, Maintenance Supervisor of the Year for the 380th.

September 1965 saw one of the Wing's B-47s, "Pride of the Adirondacks" departing Plattsburgh AFB for SAC's 14th Bombing and Navigation competition at Fairchild AFB, Washington. Six days later, that same aircraft returned to Plattsburgh being hailed as the "World's Best B-47" after having won top honors among all SAC B-47 units in 3 of 4 competition areas for the B-47s. "Pride of the Adirondacks" was commanded by Maj. Charles W.Patrick with Capt. John V. Wilcox for co-pilot and Maj. Robert A. Wickland as navigator. The crew won 'Best B-47 Crew, Bombing', 'Best B-47 Crew, Combined' and 'Best B-47 Unit'. Within three weeks of that triumph, the first B-47 departed for storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. as part of an accelerated phase-out of the type. On Dec.14, a ceremony was held as the final three B-47s departed Plattsburgh AFB for the Arizona's storage facility. "Pride of the Adirondacks" was preserved and put on display at the entrance of the base on Feb.8, 1966.

To replace the B-47s, the Wing was assigned the B-52G "Stratofortress" bomber and received its first aircraft christened "Champlain Lady" on June 19, 1966. After the arrival of the new type, another new unit was assigned to the Wing on Jan.25, 1967, the 310th Air Refueling squadron. On Jan.21, 1968, tragedy struck again the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing when B-52G 58-0188, crashed near Thule Air Base in Greenland. The aircraft was flown by a crew from the 528th BS and was carrying four hydrogen bombs when it crashed into an ice covered bay at the western tip of Greenland. The crew of seven was composed of Capt. John Baug (commander), Capt. Leonard Svitenko (co-pilot), Maj. Frank Hopkins (radar navigator), Capt. Curtis Criss (navigator), Capt. Richard Max (electronic warfare), SSgt. Calvin Snapp (gunner) and Maj. Alfred J.D'amario (safety officer from Wing HQ). Sadly, Capt. Svitenko was killed during the crash.

The Wing's involvement in the Vietnam War was one of temporary duty assignments. Tanker and bomber crews of the 380th were temporarily assigned to the Pacific theater in support of B-52 "Arc Light" missions and KC-135 "Young Tiger" operations. The KC-135 crews and aircraft supported Southeast Asia operations from October 1966 until 1973. The B-52 crews served from 1968 until 1970.

The stay of the B-52s assigned to the 380th was destined to be short. In 1968, plans were initiated to bring the Air Force's newest strategic aircraft to Plattsburgh AFB, the FB-111A. An acceptance ceremony of the first FB-111A by the Strategic Air Command took place on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1969 at Carswell AFB, Tx. Col. Wesley L.Pendergraft, 380th SAW/CC attended the ceremony. By the end of 1970, B-52s were transferred to Fairchild AFB, Washington and the last B-52G left Plattsburgh AFB on 5 January 1971. On January 1, 1971, the 528th BS was redesignated Medium and the 529th BS was reactivated.

Construction requirements for the new FB-111A were completed in 1969. Col.G.R.Abendhoff, 380th BW's commander, and Lt Col. Eugene W. Loy, 4007th CCTS commander, flew the first FB-111A to the base during Open House ceremonies on 17 July 1971. The same day the aircraft was christened "Spirit of Plattsburgh" as part of a ceremony. On August 1, 1971, Det.1 of the 4007th CCTS was activated to instruct the combat crews in the sophisticated systems that equipped the FB-111A. The CCTS graduated its first class at Plattsburgh AFB in December 1971. With an Authorized Unit Establishment of 38 aircraft, the 380th pressed ahead with the formation of two operational squadrons and to maintain a minimum eight-aircraft alert commitment. The 528th and 529th began their transition on 17 July 1971, achieving IOC on 1 January 1972 and were declared ready to support SAC's EWO (Emergency War Order) by the branch's Inspector General on 6 June of the same year. On Jul.1, 1972, the 380th strategic Aerospace Wing (Heavy) was redesignated the 380th Bombardment Wing (Medium). The first mission of a wing's FB-111A equipped with the SRAM took place on April 20, 1973. In September 1973, the 380th absorbed the 4007th CCTS which by that time had logged 3,179 sorties and 13,312 flying hours. In early 1974, Col. Bob Reynolds became the first pilot to fly 1000 hours in the FB-111A. Colonel Reynolds was a member of the initial cadre of aircrew trained to become instructors. During the 1974 Strategic Air Command's Bombing and Navigation competition, the FB-111 and KC-135 crews from the 380th combined their effort with the support personnel to prove to be "The Best of the Best". The 380th BW was the first Wing equipped with the FB-111A to win the competition and would dominate again in the years to come. The 380th BW was recognized for exceptionally meritorious service from July 1, 1974 to June 30, 1975 and received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. In 1978, the wing won the Fairchild Trophy for the fourth consecutive time, a SAC record. In January 1975, the 8th Air Force gained control of the 380th BW when the 2nd Air Force was inactivated.

In 1982, the first reunion of the surviving members of the 380th Bombardment Group which formed the 380th Bombardment Group Association was held. The second reunion took place at Plattsburgh AFB in September 1983 and on this occasion, dedication of the Plattsburgh Military Museum was one of the highlights of the reunion. 1984 started with a fitting tribute to both the 380th Bombardment Wing and the 380th Bombardment Group. The 380th BG was inactivated and consolidated with the 380th BW by order of the Secretary of the Air Force on 31 January 1984. As the year progressed, the 380th once again proved itself worthy of its motto, "Best of the Best", as it achieved an unprecedented fifth Fairchild Trophy at the annual SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition. In addition to winning the Fairchild, which established a record of five trophies for one unit, the Wing captured its second Saunders Trophy for the best air refueling unit and the "Best FB-111 Crew Award". In 1985, the 380th BW received the pinacle award for SAC Wings. The Omaha Trophy for the best overall SAC wing for the 1984' s calendar year was awarded to the Wing on July 11. During the summer of 1988, a full complement of the 380th BW deployed for the first time since World War II. Over 300 men and women deployed to a forward operating base in support of "Mighty Warrior 88", a SAC wide exercise held to better enable the various SAC wings to carry out their respective missions under austere conditions. In September 1989, the 380th BW again deployed FBs and KC-135s to Seymour-Johnson AFB to participate in "Mighty Warrior 89".

On December 23, 1989, LtCol. John Plantikow became the first and only pilot to reach 3,000 hours in the FB. Lt Col. Plantikow was chief of the Standardization/Evaluation Division, supervising all wing's FB-111A and KC-135 flight examiners.

The 380th BW began retiring its FB-111A in 1990 and one-half of the SAC FB-111A force was retired by December 31, 1990. On May 20 and 21, 1991, FB-111 crews from the 380th BW participated in "Iron Man". This was the bomber crew's last hurrah and their last chance to prove their ability in flying the FB-111A under fire. "Ironman" pitted FB-111A crews against various other fighters from around the Northeast. Flying missions over the Adirondacks, and throughout New York, aircrews from the 528th and 529th Bomb Squadrons bombed targets on the Army's Fort Drum Bombing Range. On June 14, the last training mission for an FB-111A came to an end when Col. J. Paul Malandrino and Maj. M.Stephenson aboard "Little Joe" touched down on the two-mile concrete runway at PAFB. On 10 July 1991, Strategic Air Command and the 380th Bomber Wing said goodbye to the FB-111A when the last 4 operational aircraft left Plattsburgh AFB for their final flight to preservation in Museums. The 380th BW was redesignated the 380th Air Refueling Wing a few days earlier on 1 July 1991. The mission of the 380th ARW was to provide worldwide air refueling with its KC-135A/Q and serves as host to the Tanker Task Force operation. The 380th ARW Tanker Task Force was responsible for supporting most of the transoceanic operations on the East Coast.

In 1993, Plattsburgh AFB was placed on the closure list pursuant to the Defense Closure and Realignment Act of 1990.

Plattsburgh AFB was officially closed on Sept.30, 1995 as a result of the 1993 Defense Closure and Realignment actions. The closure ceremony took place on Sept.29 with New York Congressman John M.McHugh; Rodney A.Coleman, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower, reserve affairs, installations and environment; Lt.Gen.Edwin E.Tenoso, 21st Air Force commander; and Col. Robert E.Dawson, 380th Air Refueling Wing commander, as guests of honor. The 310th and 380th Air Refueling Squadrons were deactivated a few days earlier during a ceremony with most of the tankers being assigned to Grand Forks AFB and McConnell AFB. The 380th ARW controlled the 42nd ARS at Loring AFB, Me; the 509th ARS from Griffiss AFB, NY and the European Tanker Task Force, which provided operational refueling to England and Saudi Arabia.

See an aerial view of Plattsburgh AFB, NY.