The Wing,
since the Strategic Air Command assumed control of
Larson, has had four commanders. Headquarters, 4170th
Strategic Wing was organized and established at
Larson AFB on 1 July 1959 under the command of Lt
Colonel Robert R. Johnston. Assisted by one master
sergeant, the colonel's job was to pave the way for
SAC's assumption of command of the base on 1 January
1960. The 4170th Wing was activated on 1 January
1960, with maintenance, support and medical units.
Also on this date command of Larson was taken from
Military Air Transport Service's 62d Troop Carrier
Wing. The 4170th Strategic Wing was a heavy
bombardment organization to be equipped with B-52
bombers, KC-135 jet tankers and the Titan I
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles at a later date.
On 8 April 1960, Colonel Everett W. Best assumed
command of the Wing. Under the command of Colonel
Best, the 4170th SW became a functional unit of the
Strategic Air Command on 13 July 1960 upon assignment
of the 327th Bombardment Squadron's crews and
aircraft. The 43rd Air Refueling Squadron was
assigned to the 4170th on 15 November 1960. The first
crews of the 43rd arrived on 19 March 1961 from
Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and the first of the
KC-135's arrived on 24 March 1961. The 568th
Strategic Missile Squadron was also activated while
Larson AFB was under the command of Colonel Best.
The 568th
SMS was activated by General Order 86, dated 7
November 1960, Headquarters, SAC, and read as
follows: "Effective 1 April 1961, the 568th
Bombardment Squadron, very heavy, having been redesignated the 568th Strategic Missile Squadron,
ICBM-Titan I, activated and assigned to the Strategic
Air Command, was organized at Larson AFB, Washington
and further assigned to the 4170th Strategic
Wing." Activation of the 568th SMS was observed
in a ceremony at Larson AFB on 15 April 1961.
Colonel
David A. Tate assumed command of the 4170th Strategic
Wing in November 1961 and, on 1 February 1963, when
the wing was redesignated the 462d Strategic
Aerospace Wing, Colonel Tate became the commander of
the newly designated unit. The redesignation of the
wing was part of the Air Force's program to honor
former units with outstanding combat records.
Colonel
Alex W. Talmant assumed command of the 462d Strategic
Aerospace Wing upon the retirement of Colonel Tate on
31 July 1965. Under his command Larson AFB is
scheduled to be inactivated on 30 June 1966.
The Wing
now is in preparation for phase out scheduled to be
complete by 25 June 1966.
--
Published in June 1966.
