As the Soviet missile threat became more pronounced and warning time became less, SAC bases presented increasingly attractive targets.
The B-47 dispersal program was a long range one and would be affected primarily through the phase out of wings in the late fifties and early sixties.
Under the USAF organization and lineage system, these four-digit units fell into the MAJCOM (major air command controlled) category and their lineage (histories, awards, and battle honors) ended with their discontinuance and could never be revived.
In sharp contrast, AFCON (Headquarters USAF controlled) units, which were readily distinguished by having one, two or three digit designations, could go through a series of inactivations and activations and still retain their lineage.
In order to retain the lineage of the combat units and to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive units with illustrious World War II records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activated AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time.
[2] It activated again in Apr 1970, replacing the 3960 Strategic Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam.
On 1 July 1970, the 43d also assumed tasks formerly handled by the Bombardment Wing, Provisional, 4133, including a combat mission.
Employed attached aircraft and aircrews of other Strategic Air Command units to participate in "Arc Light" combat missions in Southeast Asia from 1 July to mid-Aug 1970, and again from Feb 1972 to Aug 1973.
During 1975, provided logistical and medical support to thousands of Vietnamese refugees evacuated from their homeland and located temporarily at Guam awaiting resettlement in the United States.
In Jul 1986, activated the 65 Strategic Squadron to control the TDY air refueling forces.
Activated on paper on 16 June 1952, but not operational until it absorbed the residual resources of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in October 1952.
Redesignated as the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy)in 1955 Converted to B-52Gs and added refueling to its global mission in 1958.
Established as the Strategic Wing (Provisional), 72 in late 1972 at Andersen AFB, Guam, with approximately 100 B-52Gs.