The 7th OG, BW celebrate 100 years

The 28th Aero Squadron, now the 28th Bomb Squadron, has been assigned to the 7th Operations Group since 1994. As the largest B-1B Lancer operations group, the 7th OG is the operational flying component of the 7th Bomb Wing and comprises three squadrons: the 9th and 28th Bomb Squadrons and the 7th Operations Support Squadron. (Courtesy photo)

Crew Chiefs key to B-1 mission

U.S. Air Force Maj. Brian Guyette, 77th Weapons Squadron B-1B Lancer pilot, goes through preflight checks on the flightline at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 8, 2018. Guyette communicated with Senior Airman Nick Niro, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit B-1 assistant dedicated crew chief, while making these checks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

7th AMXS works around the clock

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alex Dalrymple, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crew member, prepares to load munitions into a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 26, 2018. The 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron participated in a routine training exercise to evaluate mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman River Bruce)

The 7th OG, BW celebrate 100 years

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 25, 2018. The 7th OG started as the 1st Army Observation Group where they performed photographic reconnaissance and day and night visual reconnaissance of the battlefield area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rebecca Van Syoc)

The 7th OG, BW celebrate 100 years

Published Sept. 7, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Kylee Thomas
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Working toward a common goal is an important factor for being successful within a group of people, especially when circumstances continuously change daily, monthly and yearly. The 7th Operations Group and 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have kept their missions thriving since Sept. 6, 1918.

Dyess AFB planned various awards to commemorate the 7th OG and the 7th BW centennial celebration.

“Over the past 100 years, the group has participated in World War I and Operation Desert Fox, supported the Army and ran several bombing missions,” said Mark Howell, 7th Bomb Wing historian.

The 7th OG started as the 1st Army Observation Group where they performed photographic reconnaissance and day and night visual reconnaissance of the battlefield area.

“In the beginning, the OG was an observation group, however as part of a major Air Force-wide reorganization, the group was redesignated 7th OG and became the combat element of the 7th Bomb Wing,” said Howell. “Eventually the group started to focus more on having a continuous bomber presence and reassuring our allies through global deterrence.”

The 7th OG was activated on Oct. 1, 1993, and was assigned under the 7th BW. The group is now the largest B-1B Lancer operations group comprising the three squadrons: the 9th and 28th Bomb Squadrons and the 7th Operations Support Squadron.

By celebrating their past, the group focuses on understanding their heritage and the importance of what they do, said Col. Karl Fischbach, 7th OG commander.

In the past 100 years, the 7th OG has trained bomber aircrews for global conventional bombing missions, performed numerous long-range conventional strikes and deployed in support of various overseas missions.

“A small part of being an effective fighting force is knowing who we are and where we come from,” said Fischbach. “Any military organization needs to have esprit de corps, and that’s one of the things that makes us so lethal as a flying force.”

I wouldn’t want to be a part of any other team than this group right now,” added Fischbach. “I’m extremely proud to be able to work with this group of Airmen who are constantly improving themselves and exemplifying what it means to have a proud heritage.”