Base acquires new missions, aircraft in the ‘60s

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Gene Lappe
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Life at Dyess during the 1960s continued where it left off in the 1950s. The 341st Bombardment Wing and the 96th Bomb Wing continued to fly the B-47 Stratojet, the backbone of the cold war. The two co-existed until the 341st BW was inactivated June 25, 1961.

The 96th BW also flew the KC-97 Stratotanker to support and refuel the B-47. The tanker was introduced in 1950 and used the “flying boom” refueling system. This system allowed the aircraft to carry cargo without removing the refueling gear.

One of the first changes for the 96th BW was the addition of Atlas F missiles in July, 1961, manned by the 578th Strategic Missile Squadron. The first of the Atlas missiles went on alert in April, 1961. The squadron manned Atlas silos in six counties surrounding Abilene. Underground silos were located near Albany, Anson, Baird, Bradshaw, Corinth West, Denton Valley, Fort Phantom Hill, Lawn, Nolan, Oplin, Shep and Wingate. The unit was redesignated the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing April 1, 1962. The Atlas program was shortlived and in March 1965, the Atlas was phased out.

Another change in 1961 brought the first C-130D Hercules to Dyess. The C-130s were originally assigned to the 64th Troop Carrier Wing. Feb. 8, 1961, the 17th Troop Carrier Squadron was activated, followed by the 18th Troop Carrier Squadron Jan. 8, 1962. By 1963, the 64th TCW was redesignated the 516th Troop Carrier Wing. The Hercules has been here longer than any other aircraft.

The 96th BW went through another transition in 1963. That year, the wing traded in its aging fleet of B-47s for B-52s. The 96th received B-52Cs and the then new B-52Ds and B-52Es from Boeing.

In 1965, Dyess came under the control of the 2nd Air Force. That same year, the base
acquired an additional mission -- air refueling. The 917th Air Refueling Squadron, along with Maggi, the first of 18 KC-135 Stratotankers, arrived here to provide aerial refueling support for the B-52s.

Two years later, the 96th Bomb Wing became the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing. While the names changed, the mission did not. The wing continued flying the B-52s and the KC-135s. Between 1965 and 1973, both the bombers and tankers from Dyess were engaged in combat activities over Southeast Asia. Bomber crews flew missions against targets is North Vietnam, north of the demilitarized zone from U-Tapoa Airfield, Thailand, while tankers crews provided air refueling for bomber and fighter aircraft.

In the ’60s, Dyess saw numerous changes and the next decade will be no exception. The constant was that Dyess continued its role in the defense of America through whatever change came its way.