INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The 39th Air Base Wing is celebrating 74 years of history Jan. 15, here.

The lineage of the 39th ABW began with the activation of the 39th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on Jan. 15, 1941, at Fort Douglas, Utah. The 39th BG consisted of three bombardment squadrons that flew B-17 Flying Fortress' and one reconnaissance squadron that flew B-25 Mitchells.

Later in 1941, the 39th BG transferred to Gieger Field, Wa., where they flew anti-submarine patrols off the Pacific Northwest Coast. In doing so, they were recognized by receiving the WWII service streamer for the American Theater, anti-submarine.

The group was transferred again to Davis-Monthan, Az., to train aircrews with the B-24 aircraft. On March 28, 1944, the 39th BG was redesignated as the 39th BG (Very Heavy).

On April 1, 1944, the 39th BG was inactivated and reactivated on the same day at Smokey Hills Army Airfield, KS., training with the B-29 Superfortress's.

In 1945, the group relocated to North Field, Guam, beginning to bomb Japanese land until the group was moved to Camp Anza, Ca., and inactivated, Dec. 27, 1945. The group was recognized for two Distinguished Unit Citations for missions in Japan, as well as a streamer for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.

In the 1950s, the Strategic Air Command diversified the bomber force creating Strategic Wings, leading to the creation of the 4135th Bombardment Wing. The 4135th BW eventually became the 39th Bombardment Wing Feb. 1, 1963, at Elgin Air Force Base, Fla., after the SAC discontinued the Strategic Wings in 1962.

The 39th BW was inactivated June, 25, 1966, due to the need for B-52s in Vietnam.

On April 1, 1966, the 39th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) was reactivated and redesignated as the 39th Tactical Group and was the start of operations at Incirlik Air Base. The organization was known as Detachment 10, The United States Logistics Group, until Oct. 1, 1982.

The 39th Tactical Group consolidated the 39th BW which was inactivated Jan. 31, 1984. The consolidation of the units retained its designation as the 39th TG. The group supported the 7440th Composite Wing (Provisional), for Proven Force and began supporting Operation Provide Comfort.

On Oct. 1, 1993, the 39th TG was redesignated as the 39th Wing, supporting Combined Task Force Northern Watch from Jan. 1, 1997 until May 2003. The 39th Wing was redesignated as the 39th Air Base Group July 16, 2003, and then the 39th ABG was redesignated as the 39th Air Base Wing, March 12, 2004, which it is today. 

Since 1966, the wings services were recognized receiving 15 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.

"If you look at what our organization has been involved with since before WWII, you can see what this wing has to offer," said Douglass Miller, 39th Air Base Wing historian. "Looking forward, no one knows whether the wing will be redesignated or what the future holds, but we can be sure that the wing will be here for years to come."