28th Bomb Wing

605-385-2801

28th Maintenance Group

28th Medical Group

605-385-6700

28th Mission Support Group

28th Operations Group

605-385-4426

In 1942, just two years after its activation, the 28th Operations Group was instrumental in countering the Japanese in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and the Kuril Islands off of Russia. The Japanese had bombed Dutch Harbor (one of the only other U.S. locations besides Pearl Harbor) and the 28th, already in Alaska for training, was able to force them out of the harbor. After bombing and flying many missions over the Kurils in 1944-45, the Japanese were forced to send support there, leaving their power weakened elsewhere. This earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation. When the 28th Bomb Wing was activated at Ellsworth in 1947, the Operations Group was already there and awaiting a commanding unit. Almost exactly a year later, the OG (then known as the Bombardment Group) was sent to England in order to defuse the tensions over Berlin. The 28th OG continues to serve under the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB.