The unit was formed as the 509th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in November 1947 at Roswell AAF (later Walker AFB), NM with the B-29 and F-51. The unit added the F-84 in 1948 and the air-refueling capability, initially with the B-29M and later the KB-29P. The unit received the B-50 in 1949 before upgrading to the B-47E in 1955, and the B-52 in 1966. The KB-29s were replaced by the KC-97G in 1954 and the KC-135A in 1966. The unit moved to Pease AFB, NH in July 1958. The 509th BW had no bombers on strength from November 1969, as its complement of B-52s was deployed to Southeast Asia. In December 1970 the wing transitioned to the FB-111A. The unit inactivated at Pease AFB in 1992, but reformed at Whiteman AFB in January 1993 prior to delivery of the first B-2A on 17 December 1993.