15th Bombardment Training Wing

Constituted as 15th Bombardment Wing on 19 Oct 1940. Activated on 18 Dec 1940. Apparently never had sufficient personnel to carry out effectively its mission of light bombardment operations and training. Inactivated on 3 Sep 1941.

Activated on 23 Jun 1942. Assigned to Second AF. Redesignated 15th Bombardment Training Wing in Jan 1943, and 15th Bombardment Operational Training Wing in Apr 1943. Trained groups and heavy bombardment replacement crews until Feb 1945 when it ceased all activity. Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Groups. 47th: 1941. 48th: 1941. (Various groups assigned for training, 1942-1945.)

Stations. March Field, Calif, 18 Dec 1940; Fresno, Calif, c. 2 Aug-Sep 1941. Gowen Field, Idaho, 23 Jun 1942; Sioux City AAB, Iowa, Nov 1942; Gowen Field, Idaho, Jul 1943; Pueblo AAB, Colo, May 1944; Colorado Springs, Colo, 18 Sep 1944-9 Apr 1946.

Commanders. Unkn, 1940-1941. Col Ford Lauer, c. 23 Jun 1942; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, 3 Sep 1942; Col Hugo P Rush, Jul 1943; Col Henry K Mooney, Jan 1944; Lt Col Willis G Carter, Jul 1944; Col Harold A McGinnis, c. 1 Sep 1944; Col Brooke E Allen, c. Oct 1944; Brig Gen Julius K Lacey, c. Jul 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. American Theater.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. Shield: On a light blue rectangle, long axis vertical, corners engrailed, a chevron inverted gold between a gold stylized wing in chief and fifteen gold stars in base, all within a border of gold. (Approved 26 Mar 1943.)

Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986