Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

68th Bomb Wing
4241st Strategic Wing

The 68th bomb group was assigned to Lake Charles AFB, LA. in 1952. The unit deployed to Sidi Slimane AFB, French Morocco, and was recalled for transition to B-47 jet aircraft. In 1957 the new APQ-38 Bomb/Nav system computer was designed by Perkin-Elmer, and IBM was selected to manufacture it for the AF. The radar system was supplied by Raytheon. A prototype was developed called the MA-4 and was installed in a squadron of B-47s at Lake Charles AFB, La. In 1957 Boeing started to install them in the B-52E aircraft.

In 1959 the 68th Bombardment Wing of the Strategic Air Command was stationed at Lake Charles Air Force Base, LA (renamed Chennault AFB). The 68th Bombardment Wing at Chennault Air Force Base, LA was a B-47 jet unit of SAC which also flew the KC-97. Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina was the former home of the 68th Bomb Wing and 4241st Strategic Wing flying B-52 and KC-135 aircraft.