1940s: Abilene/Tye Army Airfield
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The red brick ranch-style architecture boasts a Texas influence throughout the base. A unique feature of the base is all buildings are permanent structures. Known as Abilene Air Force Base, the Strategic Air Command base was dedicated by the city fathers at the end of Abilene's Diamond Jubilee April 15, 1956. On Dec. 6 that same year, the base was renamed Dyess Air Force Base in honor of Lt. Col. William Edwin Dyess.

The Early Years The 474th Headquarters and Air Base Squadron was activated Dec. 12, 1942, and Abilene Air Field was formally dedicated on June 3, 1943. The airfield served as a proving ground for pilots who trained mainly on the P-47, but also saw time in the B-18, UC-78, L-5, T-6, C-3, and ANT-18. Upon completion of training, the pilots were shipped to all theaters of operation during World War II. Base personnel continued to train pilots until the last P-47 departed Abilene Jan. 7, 1946, and officially, the base was inactivated Dec. 31, 1945. AAAF personnel remained, but the base operated at minimum levels and supported National Guard training until the end of the Korean War. On Jan. 1, 1955, the 4021st Air Base Squadron was activated at Abilene Air Force Base and worked to complete construction efforts on the base. The squadron's support and engineering efforts set the stage for the future.

The 341st Bombardment Wing activated Sept. 1, 1955, and forged the mission of the Strategic Air Command. Equipped with the B-47, the 341st flew, trained, and exercised until its inactivation June 25, 1961. The 96th Bomb Wing (later called 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing) activated at Dyess Sept. 8, 1957, and for a short period coexisted with the 341st BW. For 36 years, the 96th battle cry, "E SEMPRE L'ORA" (It Is Always The Hour), dominated the Big Country. The 96th saw many missions during its tenure. Bombers, refuelers, and missiles all supported the nuclear mission of SAC during the tense, Cold War period. It's B-47, B-52, and B-1 crews and support personnel trained for war and stood ready on nuclear alert. West Texans frequently watched KC-97's and later KC-135's taking off or landing after long endurance flights to refuel bombers. The 578th Strategic Missile Squadron, outfitted with the Atlas Missile, activated July 1, 1961, and for four years gave the Big Country an unmanned yet guided missile dimension. Numerous times during the Vietnam War era, wing members and aircraft deployed to Southeast Asia and carried out vital mission objectives. The refuelers supported operations around the globe.

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