Brief History of the 4th Air Division - The 4th Air Division originated as the 4th Bombardment Wing, Medium, and activated at Mitchell Field, New York, on December 18, 1940. The wing moved to Westover Field, Massachusetts, for its initial training on March 20, 1941 and then to Camp Lynn, England in August 1942.

The Wing began its first actual combat missions at Marks Hall, England in May, 1943. During the war the 4th Bomb Wing was commanded by the likes of Brigadier General James H. Doolittle and Colonel Curtis E. Lemay.Brigadier General Frederick Castle was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor when he kept a burning B-17 from crashing until all crew members parachuted to safety.The Wing participated in many allied bombing offensives and received a Distinguished Unit Citation on August 17, 1943.

The 4th began its role as an intermediate headquarters when it was redesignated the 4th Air Division at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana in February, 1951.The 4th commanded bomber, tanker and reconnaissance aircraft units across the United States.In 1964 the 4th moved to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, soon to gain the Minuteman II missile.It moved to F. E. Warren AFB on July 1, 1971 and became the 4th Strategic Missile Division, in command of all Minuteman missile wings.In 1973 the division added bomber, tanker and reconnaissance aircraft to its fold.

The current 4th Air Division designation occurred on March 1, 1973.During that year it was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.Since then the division has commanded four ICBM Wings (including the Peacekeeper), one of the nation's two B-IB bomb wings, a B-52 Wing and two air refueling wings.

Deactivation and an Award Ceremony for the 4th Air Division were held at F. E. Warren AFB on August 23, 1988.