HISTORIES OF THE 7th and 11th
BOMBARDMENT WINGS
(Through 1958)

Photo via Earl Parker

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In 1987, the 7th Bomb Wing B-36 Association approached Colonel George P. Cole, 7th Bombardment Wing Commander, requesting permission to use the historical files of the wing for the purpose of documenting the history of the B-36 at Carswell AFB Texas. He received us warmly and directed the Wing Historian, T/Sgt Gregory S. Byard to write a consolidated history of the wing and each squadron that would be useful to the wing as well as us. T/Sgt. Byard became fascinated with the project because of the enthusiasm of three members -- Association Historian Lt. Colonel (ret) Frank F. Kleinwechter, Colonel (ret) Richard S. George and CMS (ret) Gail C. Adams. He also wrote a detailed history of the 11th Bombardment Group/Wing though February 1951 since it was attached to the 7th Bombardment Wing during the early stages of the B-36 program.

The Association is extremely grateful to Colonel Cole and T/Sgt Byard for their strong support and the histories which appear herein.

PREFACE

Those of us who have had the privilege to serve as flight crewmembers and in support of B-36 bomber aircraft operation will never forget the tremendous feeling you experience taking one of those huge airplanes into the air. Those on the ground were awed by the size of the huge aircraft and the awesome power it represented. Both flight and ground crews experienced a great sense of accomplishment once the mission was complete. The camaraderie and closeness that developed, first within the crews and second within the squadron, was something a fighter aircraft organization will never feel. These histories have been developed to preserve the dynamic history of the B-36 "Peacemaker" at Carswell Air Force Base and all the people who made it possible.

Hopefully everyone who reads these works will share the love, time and effort expended in bringing them to print. It is dedicated to everyone who is now, or ever has been associated with these proud units!

Photo by Frank Kleinwechter

7th BOMBARDMENT GROUP and WING

  7th Bombardment Group/Wing, 1919-1948

  Foreword to 7th Bombardment Wing Operations

	7th Bombardment Wing Operations at Carswell AFB, 1946-1948
	7th Bombardment Wing Operations at Carswell AFB, 1949-1951
	7th Bombardment Wing Operations at Carswell AFB, 1952-1954
	7th Bombardment Wing Operations at Carswell AFB, 1955-1958

Squadron Histories:

    9th Bombardment Squadron
  436th Bombardment Squadron
  492nd Bombardment Squadron

11th BOMBARDMENT WING

  11th BOMBARDMENT WING

Squadrons

  26th Bombardment Squadron

  42nd Bombardment Squadron

  98th Bombardment Squadron

Webmaster's note:  History of the 11th Bomb Wing
is being prepared for publication.  (Members - send
your pictures and stories.)