After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the group moved to the Panama Canal Zone, where it performed aerial reconnaissance and antisubmarine missions until disbanding in 1943.

The wing converted to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in 1959 on acted in the strategic deterrent role with bombers and tankers until inactivating in June 1971.

It also provides services to approximately 18,000 dependents and more than 36,000 military retirees and their family members in the surrounding area and supports almost 2,400 contractors.

[2] The wing provides base functions including security, fire protection, medical services, civil engineering, communications and supply, transportation and airfield operations.

[8] The group added Piper L-4 Grasshoppers, Douglas B-18 Bolos and Bell P-39 Airacobras to its inventory in the Caribbean.

[1][5] The group was reactivated as a reserve unit under Air Defense Command (ADC) at Hamilton Field, California in July 1947, where its training was supervised by the 415 AAF Base Unit (later the 2346th Air Force Reserve Training Center).

[11] The 72nd was inactivated in June 1949 when ConAC reorganized its reserve units under the wing base organization system.

[1] President Truman's reduced 1949 defense budget also required reductions in the number of groups in the Air Force to 48.

The combat squadrons reported directly to the wing, eliminating the intermediate group structures under the "dual deputy" organization.

In October 1952, the 55th Wing moved to Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas without personnel or equipment, and the 72nd absorbed its remaining resources at Ramey.

However, starting in 1957 Strategic Air Command (SAC) had developed plans to disperse its B-52 force to reduce its vulnerability to Soviet missile attack.

[1] Starting in 1960, one third of the wing's aircraft were maintained on fifteen minute alert, fully fueled, armed and ready for combat to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet missile strike.

[21] Soon after detection of Soviet missiles in Cuba, on 20 October, the wing was directed to put two additional planes on alert.

[28] In addition to its combat mission the wing hosted the annual United States Air Force Commander's Conferences, code named Corona South.

Military Airlift Command continued them until Ramey closed and they were transferred to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency