306th Bomb Wing - MacDill AFB

On 1 September 1950 the 306th Bombardment Wing was activated at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida, and later became the first operational B-47 wing. On 19 November 1951 the Wing received its first B-47B and christened it "The Real McCoy" in honor of Colonel Michael McCoy, the Wing Commander who flew it from the Boeing Wichita plant to MacDill. The first KC-97E assigned to Strategic Air Command was delivered to the 306^th Air Refueling Squadron at MacDill on 14 July 1951. Inflight refueling operations started in May 1952 with KC-97s refueling B-47s on operational training missions leading toward combat ready status.

From 22 January through 20 February 1953, the 306^th BW was tested under the combat exercise "Sky Try", which it successfully completed, becoming the first operational B-47 Wing. The overall success of "Sky Try" was the main factor that determined the adoption of the B-47 as SAC’s medium bomber, and it ultimately replaced the B-50.

One of the most significant flying operations undertaken by the 306^th BW was a unit deployment to train overseas. Starting on 3 June 1953, 15 B-47s departed MacDill followed by the same number on 4 and 5 June. They staged through Limestone AFB, Maine and arrived at Fairford RAF Station, England on 4, 5 and 6 June. 306^thARS KC-97s departed on the same dates, staging through Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland to Mildenhall RAF Station, England. The 306^th BW deployment of 45 B-47s and 22 KC-97s, was the first jet bomber unit to deploy on a reflex type mission overseas. The Wing established 14 Trans-Atlantic speed records in the process while transporting over 1700 men and one million tons of supplies within four days. A B-47 flew the 3,120 mile route in 5 hours and 22 minutes, averaging 575 mph. At the end of the 90 day deployment, 306^th BW B-47s were provided one inflight refueling by 306^th ARS KC-97s, and flew non-stop from Fairford to MacDill.

As the leader in jet bombardment tactics and strategy, the 306th received visitors of both national and international renown. Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh spent two days TDY with the Wing. The Duke of Windsor, the RAF Chief Air Marshall, and the Turkish Air Staff were guests of the Wing. The 306th participated in the filming of the movie "Strategic Air Command" by Paramount Pictures in March 1954. Hal Boyle, well-known newspaper columnist, stayed with the 306th for two days to write of the Wing in the New York Times and his nation-wide syndicated column.

In 1954 SAC designated specific air refueling organizations and the 306th Air Refueling Squadron became ready to support B-47 operations across the command. During 1954, the more advanced B-47Es, with ejection seats, improved electronics and a white reflective paint scheme, replaced the 306^th BW B-47Bs.

In response to the growing Soviet Union intercontinental ballistic missile threat, SAC devised a ground alert plan that would maintain approximately one-third of its aircraft on ground alert. The first test of this concept was started in 1956 at Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia. After two more tests, General Power, CINCSAC, directed that ground alert operations commence on 1 October 1957. Throughout 1957 and 1958 the Wing continued bomber reflex deployments to Spain and maintained ground alert at MacDill.

In 1956 the 306^th BW won the SAC bombing competition for the first time. The Wing won the Fairchild Trophy during the tenth SAC Bombing-Navigation Competition in 1958. On 10 March 1958 the 306^th was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit citation for its role as pioneer and leader in jet bombardment operations.

On 9 October 1957 Colonel McCoy was killed in a B-47 crash along with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Joyce, Major Vernon Stuff and RAF Group Captain John Woodroffe. Pinecastle AFB was renamed McCoy AFB on 7 May 1958 in memory of Colonel McCoy. Streets on McCoy AFB were named for LtCol Joyce and Maj Stuff.

On 1 January 1959 the 306^th BW was transferred from Second to Eighth Air Force. Later that year the 305^th Air Refueling Squadron was assigned to the 306^th BW. Both the 306^th ARS and 305^th ARS continued tanker reflex operations by deploying KC-97s to forward bases such as Goose Air Base, Labrador and Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland. In July 1959 the 306^th terminated bomber reflex operations and placed its entire B-47 force on one-third ground alert at MacDill. In March 1961, President Kennedy requested funding to support an increase in the number of SAC aircraft on 15-minute ground alert from one-third to one-half. At the same time the B-47 phase out was accelerated to provide the additional aircrews to support 50 percent alert of SAC's B-47 and B-52 bomber forces. This increased alert posture was attained by July 1961. In April 1961 SAC directed the 306^th BW back to the bomber reflex program and a portion of its B-47s were deployed to Benguerir Air Base, Morocco and placed on ground alert. A substantial number of the 306^th B-47s also remained on ground alert at MacDill. In late July 1961 the Berlin Crisis caused a delay in the phase out of B-47 operations. During the Cuban Missile Crisis starting in October 1962 the Wing was deployed to Hunter AFB, Georgia and put on maximum alert. Fighter and Reconnaissance aircraft were deployed to MacDill during this crisis.

In November 1962 SAC started inactivation planning of the 306^th BW slated for April 1963. Phase down and transfer of B-47s was started, and by 15 February 1963 the Wing was no longer capable of fulfilling its part of the strategic war plan. General Curtis E. LeMay, USAF Chief of Staff, recalling his days as the 306^th Bomb Group’s executive officer, compared its WWII role as "one of the handful of groups" that pioneered strategic daylight bombing and "carried the air war to the enemy during the lean days of 1941-43", to its role in the late forties as pioneer of jet bombardment tactics and combat ready deterrent force. He went on to say that this considerable accomplishment was done while at the same time assuming the staggering mission of maintaining a bomber alert force. On 1 April 1963, SAC inactivated the 306^th BW at MacDill and activated it at McCoy AFB, Florida. The 4047^th Strategic Wing personnel, equipment, B-52Ds and KC-135As were re-designated the 306^th Bombardment Wing.