Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

316th Bomb Wing

Although Kadena Air Base, Okinawa originated as a fighter base, a B-29 organization -- the 316th Bombardment Wing -- was the first element responsible for operating the base. The 316th Bombardment Wing was moved from Colorado Springs, Colo. to Okinawa in December 1945. An advance element of the 316th was prepared to fly combat and returned to Kadena in June 1950 when the 19th Bombardment Group arrived from Andersen AB, Guam to fight in the Korean War. In August 1950, the 307th Bombardment Group arrived at Kadena from MacDill AFB, FL, adding to the base's growing bomber force. When the Korean War ended, the B-29s departed.