7th Bomb Wing

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7th Bomb Wing
Shield of the 7th Bomb Wing
Active	3 November 1947 – present (76 years, 7 months) Detailed 1 April 1997 – present (as 7th Bomb Wing) 1 October 1993 – 1 April 1997 (as 7th Wing) 1 June 1992 – 1 October 1993 (as 7th Bomb Wing) 1 September 1991 – 1 June 1992 (as 7th Wing) 1 August 1948 – 1 September 1992 (as 7th Bombardment Wing, Heavy) 3 November 1947 – 1 August 1948 (as 7th Bombardment Wing, Very Heavy)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Part of	Eighth Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Dyess Air Force Base
Motto(s)	"MORS AB ALTO" Latin: Death From Above
Tailcode	"DY"
Engagements	Operation Urgent Fury[1]
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross[1]
Commanders
Current commander	Col. Seth W. Spanier
Current vice-commander	Col. Samuel A. Friend
Current command chief	CCM Richelle D. Baker
Notable commanders	Clarence S. Irvine George J. Eade Wendell L. Griffin Jonathan D. George Garrett Harencak Timothy M. Ray Glen D. VanHerck
Insignia
7th Bombardment Wing shield (former) (approved 12 September 1952)[2]
Aircraft flown
Bomber	B-1B

The 7th Bomb Wing (7 BW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Global Strike Command Eighth Air Force. It is stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, where it is also the host unit.

The 7 BW is one of only two B-1B Lancer strategic bombardment wings in the United States Air Force, the other being the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

Its origins date to the 1918 establishment of the 1st Army Observation Group (later 7th Bombardment Group), one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the United States Army before World War II.

The 7th Operations Group carries the lineage and history of its highly decorated World War II predecessor unit. It operated initially in the Philippines as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber unit assigned to Fifth Air Force but after the fall of the Philippines in early 1942, operated primarily with the Tenth Air Force in India as a B-24 Liberator unit. Active for over 60 years, the 7 BW was a component wing of Strategic Air Command's heavy bomber deterrent force throughout the Cold War.

The 7th Bomb Wing is commanded by Colonel Seth W. Spanier. Its Vice Commander is Colonel Samuel A. Friend. Its Command Chief is Chief Master Sergeant Richelle D. Baker.^[3]