20th AF turns 70

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jason Wiese
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Today, the 20th Air Force, arguably one of the most storied organizations in the U.S. Air Force, hits a new milestone.

"Today marks the 70th anniversary of 20th Air Force," said Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, 20th Air Force commander, in an email to Airmen. "Today we honor those that have served and those that are serving, and I am proud to be part of your team."

Originally an Army Air Forces unit, the 20th AF was established April 4, 1944, and first commanded by General of the Army Henry H. (Hap) Arnold. Twentieth AF B-29 Superfortresses conducted heavy bombardment against targets in Japan, Thailand, Burma and Formosa during Operation MATTERHORN in World War II.

Later on, a 20th AF group, the 509th Composite Group, famously dropped two atomic bombs, one each on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which led to Japanese surrender, ending World War II.

For 40 years beginning March 1, 1951, the 20th AF was deactivated until Sept. 1, 1991, when it was reactivated under Strategic Air Command with a new mission: operational responsibility for all of America's land-based ICBMs.

"As a sergeant my father served in 20th AF under Gen. Curtis LeMay, flying B-29 missions off the island of Saipan," Weinstein said. "I was immensely proud to wear the same 20 AF patch on my uniform when our numbered air force was reactivated in 1991 that my father wore in 1945."

The reactivation came at the end of the Cold War when massive changes were taking place within the nuclear enterprise. Since then, the 20th AF has changed hands to Air Combat Command, Air Force Space Command and Air Force Global Strike Command, under which the 20th AF now falls.

Throughout its two time periods of active service, the Airmen of the 20th AF engaged in missions with a worldwide impact.

"Today as in 1945, it is the quality of our Airmen and commitment to our mission which enables us to maintain a safe, secure and effective ICBM Force," Weinstein said. "No initiative, weapon system or money is more valuable to me than you are as an individual expert, innovator, and leader. I am excited about the future and the changes we've already made based on your inputs from the Force Improvement Program."