| Unit Name: | 20th Bombardment Wing |
| Dates: | 1940–1941; 1942–1946 |
| Branch: | |
| Role: | Command of Bombardment units |
| Battles: | European Theater of World War II[1] |
The 20th Bombardment Wing is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eighth Air Force at MacDill Field, Florida, where it was inactivated on 10 November 1946. It was later disbanded in October 1948
The 20th Bombardment Wing was activated in December 1940 at Fort Douglas, Utah and assigned to Second Air Force.[1] The following month, it was assigned its combat elements, the 7th and 42d Bombardment Groups. In September 1941, the wing was inactivated and its personnel used to form the 2nd Air Support Command.[2]
Moved to England, May–June 1943, for duty with Eighth Air Force. Received its first groups in November 1943 and served in combat in the European theater from December 1943 until April 1945.
Returned to the US in August 1945 and prepared for Boeing B-29 Superfortress operations, although had no combat components assigned. Reassigned to Strategic Air Command postwar Eighth Air Force in May 1946 and elevated to VIII Bombardment Command. Inactivated before becoming operational in November 1946.
Activated on 18 December 1940
Inactivated on 1 September 1941
Redesignated 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in February 1943
Redesignated 20th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) in August 1943
Redesignated 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)' on 20 June 1945
Redesignated 20th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in August 1945
Redesignated VIII Bomber Command (Very Heavy) in October 1945
Inactivated on 10 November 1946
Disbanded on 8 October 1948[1]