28th Operations Group
The flying component of the United States Air Force's 28th Bomb Wing, operating B-1B Lancer bomber units from Ellsworth Air Force Base.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The 28th Operations Group is the operational flying element of the United States Air Force's 28th Bomb Wing. Based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, it prepares and provides bomber aircrews for global missions assigned by combatant commanders. Its present organization includes the 28th Operations Support Squadron and two B-1B Lancer units, the 34th Bomb Squadron and the 37th Bomb Squadron. The group is therefore not a commercial brand or business enterprise, but a military organization whose identity, insignia, lineage, and operational role function as an institutional identity within the Air Force. The group traces its heritage to the 28th Bombardment Group, established in February 1940 as the United States prepared for the possibility of a wider war. During the Second World War, the organization moved to Alaska and became a major United States aviation formation in the Aleutian theater. It trained for Arctic operations and defended Alaska after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. In June 1942, its aircraft participated in operations associated with the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor, helping pressure Japanese naval forces operating in the area. The group subsequently conducted bombing, strafing, and reconnaissance missions against Japanese positions and shipping in the Aleutian Islands and the Kuril Islands. Its wartime targets included ports, military installations, shipping, fisheries, and industrial facilities. Operations against the Kurils continued into the final months of the war, and the group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its sustained campaign in that region. After its inactivation in October 1945, the lineage was restored in the postwar United States Army Air Forces. The organization became one of the first groups assigned to the Strategic Air Command in August 1946, before the establishment of the independent United States Air Force. It operated from Nebraska and later from Rapid City Army Air Field, the installation that became Ellsworth Air Force Base. Its postwar aircraft and missions changed repeatedly. The group operated B-29 Superfortresses, later transitioned within the associated wing structure toward RB-36 Peacemaker strategic reconnaissance aircraft, and supported the United States' early Cold War global deterrence and reconnaissance posture. The original group was inactivated in June 1952 when the parent wing adopted the Tri-Deputate structure, under which operational squadrons were assigned directly to the wing rather than being managed through a separate group headquarters. The lineage remained inactive for several decades. On 1 September 1991, the organization was redesignated and activated as the 28th Operations Group during the Air Force's Objective Wing reorganization. This structure restored the group as the 28th Bomb Wing's operational headquarters and placed its flying and support squadrons under a dedicated operations group. Since reactivation, the group has operated in the B-1B Lancer force and has supported expeditionary missions, including periodic deployments to Diego Garcia for Air Expeditionary operations after 11 September 2001. The 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons preserve historical associations with bomber units connected to the Doolittle Raiders, while their contemporary mission is to maintain combat-ready crews and aircraft for long-range conventional strike and power-projection requirements. The group remains an active Air Force formation rather than a consumer-facing brand, with its significance deriving from military lineage, operational readiness, and participation in United States strategic and expeditionary air operations.
History
The organization was established as the 28th Composite Group on 22 December 1939 and activated on 1 February 1940. It was created during the expansion of United States military aviation before the country's entry into the Second World War. After moving to Alaska in 1941, the group trained for Arctic conditions and assumed combat responsibilities in the Aleutian theater following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. During the war, the group flew bombing, strafing, and photographic reconnaissance missions. It helped oppose Japanese naval activity associated with the Dutch Harbor attacks in June 1942 and later attacked Japanese installations and shipping on Kiska and elsewhere in the Aleutians. After the Japanese evacuation of Kiska in August 1943, the group continued operations against targets in the Kuril Islands. Missions included attacks on shipping, harbor infrastructure, canneries, fisheries, and military facilities. Its Kuril campaign continued through the final period of the war, and the unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation for operations that helped compel Japan to divert air resources to its northern defenses. The group's final wartime bombing mission took place on 13 August 1945, followed by reconnaissance activity into September. The wartime group was inactivated on 20 October 1945. It was redesignated the 28th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy, and reactivated on 4 August 1946. In the postwar period it became one of the first organizations assigned to Strategic Air Command, initially receiving B-29 Superfortresses and associated personnel. On 3 May 1947, the group relocated to Rapid City Army Air Field in South Dakota, later renamed Ellsworth Air Force Base, where it became associated with the 28th Bombardment Wing. The postwar organization underwent several redesignations as its mission and aircraft evolved. It was redesignated a medium bombardment group in 1948 and a heavy bombardment group in 1949. The associated wing transitioned from B-29 operations toward RB-36 Peacemaker strategic reconnaissance, and the group became the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Group in April 1950, with a heavy designation added later that year. The wing and its subordinate units maintained long-range strategic proficiency during the early Cold War, including an extended B-36 training mission in 1951. On 16 June 1952, the group was inactivated when Strategic Air Command implemented the Tri-Deputate arrangement. Under that system, the operational squadrons were assigned directly to the parent wing. The lineage remained inactive until the Air Force redesignated it the 28th Operations Group on 29 August 1991 and activated it on 1 September 1991 as part of the Objective Wing reorganization. The modern group serves as the flying component of the 28th Bomb Wing. It supervises the 28th Operations Support Squadron, the 34th Bomb Squadron, and the 37th Bomb Squadron. The two bomb squadrons operate Rockwell B-1B Lancer aircraft and provide trained aircrews for global conventional strike and expeditionary missions. Since the attacks of 11 September 2001, elements have periodically deployed to Diego Garcia for Air Expeditionary duties. The 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons also maintain historical links to units associated with the Doolittle Raiders, connecting the modern B-1B force with the group's broader bomber heritage.
- 2001
Expeditionary deployments
[1]Group elements began periodic deployments to Diego Garcia for Air Expeditionary operations after 11 September 2001.
- 1991
Modern operations group activated
[1]The organization was redesignated the 28th Operations Group and activated on 1 September 1991.
- 1952
Tri-Deputate inactivation
[1]The group was inactivated on 16 June 1952 when its operational squadrons were assigned directly to the parent wing.
- 1950
Strategic reconnaissance redesignation
[1]The group was redesignated the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Group as its associated wing shifted toward RB-36 reconnaissance operations.
- 1947
Move to Rapid City
[1]The group moved to Rapid City Army Air Field, later Ellsworth Air Force Base, and became associated with the 28th Bombardment Wing.
- 1946
Postwar reactivation
[1]The organization was reactivated as the 28th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy, and assigned to Strategic Air Command.
- 1945
World War II inactivation
[1]The wartime group was inactivated on 20 October 1945.
- 1944
Distinguished Unit Citation
[1]The group was recognized for its extended attacks against Japanese-held positions in the Kuril Islands.
- 1942
Aleutian combat operations
[1]The group participated in operations around Dutch Harbor and began sustained attacks against Japanese positions in the Aleutian theater.
- 1941
Relocation to Alaska
[1]The group moved to Alaska and trained for Arctic warfare and territorial defense.
Products and positioning
An operational United States Air Force bomber group defined by combat readiness, long-range power projection, B-1B Lancer operations, and a lineage extending from Arctic and Aleutian World War II missions through Cold War strategic reconnaissance and modern expeditionary operations.
Military aviation capability
B-1B Lancer bomber operations
The group's principal contemporary capability is the operation and employment of Rockwell B-1B Lancer bombers. Through the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons, it generates trained aircrews and supports long-range conventional strike missions assigned by United States combatant commanders.
Military deployment capability · 2001
Air Expeditionary operations
The group provides personnel and operational capacity for expeditionary bomber deployments. Its elements have periodically deployed to Diego Garcia since the post-2001 period, supporting the United States Air Force's ability to project bomber power from locations outside the continental United States.
Historical military aviation capability · 1950
Strategic reconnaissance operations
During the early Cold War, the group's mission included strategic reconnaissance after its redesignation in 1950. It operated within the broader RB-36 Peacemaker force and retained bombardment as a secondary historical association.
Marketing campaigns
- 2001Post-September 11 expeditionary operations
Diego Garcia · Global United States Air Force operations
Following 11 September 2001, elements of the group periodically deployed to Diego Garcia for Air Expeditionary duties and long-range bomber support.
Outcome. The deployments extended the group's role from a home-station bomber formation to a recurring expeditionary force.
- 1943Kuril Islands operations
Kuril Islands
The group conducted bombing, strafing, and reconnaissance missions against Japanese shipping, ports, industrial facilities, and military installations in the Kurils.
Outcome. Operations continued into 1945 and contributed to Japan's diversion of air resources to its northern defenses.
- 1942Aleutian Campaign
Alaska · Aleutian Islands
The group's World War II predecessor supported the defense of Alaska, operations around Dutch Harbor, and attacks against Japanese forces occupying parts of the Aleutian chain.
Outcome. The group helped maintain pressure on Japanese forces until their evacuation from Kiska in August 1943.
Brand decisions
1991
Objective Wing reorganizationStrategyBackground
The United States Air Force reorganized its wings around functional groups to clarify operational command relationships.
Action taken
The lineage was redesignated as the 28th Operations Group on 29 August 1991 and activated on 1 September 1991.
Aftermath
The group became the operational flying component of the 28th Bomb Wing and resumed responsibility for bomber squadrons and operations support.
1952
Adoption of the Tri-Deputate structureStrategyBackground
Strategic Air Command reorganized the parent wing so that operational squadrons could report directly to the wing rather than through separate group headquarters.
Action taken
The 28th Bombardment Group was inactivated on 16 June 1952 and its squadrons were assigned directly to the 28th Bomb Wing.
Aftermath
The group lineage remained inactive until the Air Force later restored it as the 28th Operations Group.
Sources1 sources
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