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441st Bombardment Squadron (Currently 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron)
Squadron Boeing B-52 dropping bombs in Vietnam
Active	1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1952–1960; 1963–1989; c. 2015 – c. 2018
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Expeditionary support
Part of	Air Combat Command
Motto(s)	Finis Origine Pendet (Latin for 'The End Depends on the Beginning')
Engagements	Mediterranean Theater of Operations European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Insignia
441st Air Expeditionary Squadron emblem
441st Bombardment Squadron emblem
441st Bombardment Squadron emblem
441st Bombardment Squadron emblem
441st Bombardment Squadron emblem

The 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit. It was converted to provisional status in May 2011. Its last assignment as a regular unit was to the 320th Bombardment Wing at Mather Air Force Base, California, where it was inactivated on 30 September 1989. It has been active since, operating a small air base in Syria.

The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 441st Bombardment Squadron. It served in combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it earned the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for combat operations in Italy. In 1944, it moved north into the European Theater of Operations, where it earned a second DUC. After V-E Day, the squadron remained in Germany to participate in the disarmament of the Luftwaffe, then returned to the United States for inactivation.

Although briefly active in the reserve from 1947-1949, the squadron was primarily a Strategic Air Command bomber unit, first with Boeing B-47 Stratojets, then with Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses, serving on nuclear alert with both types of bombers. Although it did not serve as a unit, the squadron was one of the first to deploy aircraft and aircrew for Operation Arc Light missions in Vietnam. It again deployed most of its planes and crews in 1972 to participate in Operation Linebacker II. The squadron was inactivated in 1989, in connection with the reduction of strategic forces and the recommended closure of Mather.

History

World War II

Initial organization and training in the United States

The squadron was first established at MacDill Field, Florida on 1 July 1942 as the 441st Bombardment Squadron, one of the four original squadrons of the 320th Bombardment Group, a Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber group. The squadron trained rapidly in Florida, completing Phase I (individual) Operational Training at MacDill and Phase II (aircrew) Operational Training at Drane Field until beginning to move its aircraft to England in August without starting Phase III (unit) training.l

The air echelon departed for Baer Field, Indiana on 19 August with initial plans calling for the squadron's air echelon to move to Europe via the North Atlantic Ferrying Route. At Baer Field, it received B-26s direct from the factory. However, these planes were soon withdrawn and transferred to the 319th Bombardment Group, the first B-26 group to fly its bombers across the Atlantic. The air echelon continued training at Baer Field with the few Marauders it had remaining. After delays continuing to November, it moved to Morrison Field, Florida to begin ferrying its planes using the South Atlantic Ferrying Route.

The ground echelon of the squadron, meanwhile, departed the United States on the RMS Queen Mary on 5 September, arriving at RAF Hethel on 12 September, and moving to RAF Tibenham at the beginning of October. In England, it received additional training from units of Eighth Air Force. It departed for North Africa on 21 November 1942. The air echelon never conducted operations from England, with their Marauders arriving in North Africa between December 1942 and January 1943.

Combat in the Mediterranean Theater

The squadron and its aircraft arrived at its first true overseas station, Oran Es Sénia Airport, Algeria, in early January 1943. The squadron had mine dropping equipment installed on its bomb racks for attacks against enemy submarines. The squadron was withdrawn from antisubmarine combat in February for rest and the antisubmarine mission was transferred to the Royal Air Force. However, it did not fly its first bombing missions until April 1943, by which time it had moved to Montesquieu Airfield, Algeria from its training base at Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria. Until July 1943, operating from bases in Algeria and Tunisia, it flew missions against enemy shipping on the approaches to Tunis It flew missions against Tunisia and participated in Operation Corkscrew, the projected invasion of Pantelleria. The following month it provided air support for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily.

The squadron bombed marshalling yards. bridges airfields, road junctions, viaducts, harbors, fuel and supply dumps, defense positions and other targets in Italy. It supported Operation Avalanche, the landings near Salerno, on the Italian mainland, and knocked out targets to aid the seizure of Naples and to cross the Volturno River. It flew missions against Anzio and Monte Cassino and flew interdiction missions in central Italy in preparation for the Allied approach to Rome.

In November 1943, the squadron moved to Decimomannu Airfield on Sardinia to be better positioned to attack targets in central and northern Italy. Its efforts supporting preparations for and execution of the Allied offensive in central Italy in April through June 1944, including the French breathrough of the Gustav Line, earned the squadron a French Croix de Guerre with Palm. On 12 May 1944, in the face of an intense antiaircraft artillery barrage, it bombed enemy troop concentrations near Fondi supporting United States Fifth Army's advance on Rome, for which it was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). From June to November 1944, it flew interdiction missions in the Po Valley.

Combat in northern Europe and inactivation

After the Allies carried out Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August 1944, the squadron flew air support missions there, moving to Dijon-Longvic Airfield, France in November. It bombed bridges, railroads, gun positions, barracks, supply and munitions dumps and other targets in France and Germany unitl V-E Day. Near the end of the war, on 15 March 1945, the squadron bombed pillboxes, weapons pits, trenches and roads within the Siegfried Line to enable the breakthrough of the United States Seventh Army, for which it was awarded a second DUC.

Following the end of the war, the squadron moved to Pfreimd, where it took part in Operation Eclipse, the air disarmament campaign, acting as teams to disband the Luftwaffe, and packing its most advanced equipment for shipment back to the US, until the fall, when it moved to France to prepare for return to the US. It departed Europe in November 1945 and was inactivated on its arrival at the Port of Embarkation in December.

Service in the reserves

The 441st was reactivated as a reserve unit under Air Defense Command (ADC) at Mitchel Field, New York in July 1947 as a light bomber unit. At Mitchel, its training was supervised by the 113th AAF Base Unit (later the 2230th Air Force Reserve Training Center). It does not appear the squadron was fully staffed or equipped with any operational aircraft. In 1948 Continental Air Command assumed responsibility for managing reserve and Air National Guard units from ADC. The 441st was inactivated when Continental Air Command reorganized its reserve units under the wing base organization system in June 1949. The squadron's personnel continuing paid reserve status and its equipment were transferred to elements of the 84th Fighter Wing.

Strategic Air Command operations

Medium bomber operations

During the Korean War, the 106th Bombardment Wing, a New York Air National Guard unit, was mobilized and assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) and trained as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress wing. On 1 December 1952, the 106th Wing was returned to state control and replaced by the 320th Bombardment Wing. In connection with this change, the 441st was reactivated, and took over the personnel and Superfortresses of the 102d Bombardment Squadron, which was simultaneously relieved from active duty. Under SAC's new organization, the squadron reported directly to the new wing, and the 320th Group remained inactive.

In early 1953, the squadron began to replace its B-29s with Boeing B-47B Stratojets. For a while the service test model of the reconnaissance version of this new jet bomber, the YRB-47, was on the squadron's strength. In December, the squadron began training the cadre of B-47 aircrews for the 96th Bombardment Wing, which had been activated at Altus Air Force Base with only minimum manning as that station was being reopened. This training continued for a little more than a year.

In June 1954, the squadron, along with the entire 320th Wing, deployed as a unit to RAF Brize Norton remaining there until September. It repeated this performance at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam between September 1956 and January 1957. Later in 1957, overseas alert operations changed in character when overseas alert began to be supported by multiple wings, with individuals rotating home during an extended overseas Operation Reflex alert, rather than deploying an entire wing overseas as a unit. Reflex placed Stratojets and Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighters at bases closer to the Soviet Union.

The percentage of SAC planes on alert gradually grew over the next three years to reach its goal of 1/3 of SAC's force on alert by 1960. From 1958, SAC's B-47 Stratojet squadrons began to assume an alert posture at their home bases, reducing the amount of time spent on alert at overseas bases. This was designed to meet General Thomas S. Power's initial goal of maintaining one third of SAC's planes on fifteen minute ground alert, fully fueled and ready for combat to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet missile strike.

However, SAC was relying on the longer range Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, deciding to reduce the number of B-47 wings at March Air Force Base from two to one. With this reduction, the 441st was inactivated on 15 September 1960.

Heavy bomber operations

SAC bases with large concentrations of bombers made attractive targets. SAC's response was to break up its B-52 wings and scatter their aircraft over a larger number of bases. This made it more difficult for the Soviet Union to knock our the entire heavy bomber fleet with a surprise first strike. As part of this program, SAC moved the 72nd Bombardment Squadron to Mather Air Force Base, California, an Air Training Command station, and organized the 4134th Strategic Wing as its headquarters.

However, the 4134th Wing was a Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wing. MAJCON units could not carry a permanent history or lineage. In 1963, SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its MAJCON strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate Air Force controlled (AFCON) units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history. On 1 February 1963, the 441st Bombardment Squadron was reactivated and assumed the B-52Fs, personnel and equipment of the 72nd Bombardment Squadron as the 320th Bombardment Wing replaced the discontinued 4134th Wing.

A combat ready unit on activation, the squadron trained for global strategic bombing operations. SAC's alert commitment had increased to maintaining one half of the squadron's bombers on nuclear alert. Additionally, the squadron was periodically tasked under Operation Chrome Dome to maintain two armed aircraft airborne for "airborne alert training."

The squadron's commitment to SAC's nuclear deterrent mission changed in February 1965. Having received training on "iron bombs" since 1964, and having their B-52Fs modified to carry additional bombs on external racks, the squadron was launched to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam in February 1965, where it was joined by B-52Fs the 736th Bombardment Squadron from Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi and the 9th Bombardment Squadron from Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. However, the first mission of what would become Operation Arc Light did not take place until 18 June, when squadron bombers and bombers from the 9th Squadron attacked Viet Cong bases near the Cambodian border with the Republic of Viet Nam. Due to a timing error, one cell of B-52s orbited to lose time, causing two cells to run together. A squadron plane and one from the 9th squadron crashed as a result, with all aboard lost. The squadron remained on Guam until July 1965.

General William C. Westmoreland, commander of U.S. forces in South Vietnam, was convinced the B-52 could play an effective role, and he called for more bombing missions. From June through the end of 1965 squadron and other deployed B-52Fs completed over 100 missions to South Vietnam. These B-52s were used primarily in saturation bombing of Viet Cong base areas, but later they were also used in direct tactical support of the Marine Corps’ Operation Harvest Moon and the 1st Cavalry Division's fight in the Ia Drang Valley.

The squadron returned to Andersen in December 1965. By this time, most B-52 missions were carried out under Combat Skyspot, in which bombing was directed by ground radar stations, rather than being conducted using the B-52 bombardment/navigation system. In February 1966, SAC bomber operations were brought together under the Bombardment Wing, Provisional, 4133d The squadron's second tour in Southeast Asia ended in March 1966. By this time the B-52Fs, which had been carrying out the majority of the B-52 deployments to Guam, were replaced by B-52Ds, which had been modified to carry almost twice as many conventional bombs in Project Big Belly. By late June 1966, after one year of participation in the war, the B-52s were dropping approximately 8,000 tons of bombs each month. Missions were flown in all types of weather, night and day. In 1966, over 5,000 B-52 sorties were flown to support operations against the enemy.

With the assumption of the Arc Light mission by B-52D units, the squadron resumed alert and strategic training duties, while maintaining a conventional bombing capability. In 1968, it equipped with newer B-52G model aircraft.. The following year, it began rotating aircrews and aircraft to support operations in Southeast Asia, and in June 1972, once again deployed nearly all its personnel and equipment to support other units there. These deployed elements participated in Operation Linebacker II.

Following the Paris Peace Accords, the squadron reformed at Mather in October 1973. After it returned, it maintained conventional bombing capabilities until September 1989, when it was inactivated as B-52Gs were being withdrawn from service and Mather was recommended for closure by the Carlucci Commission.

Expeditionary unit

In 2011 the squadron was converted to provisional status as the 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate as needed.

Squadron expeditionary operations appear to be classified, although the Department of Defense released a video of the squadron at an Operation Inherent Resolve "undisclosed location" with a dirt runway supporting Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III operations. The United States Central Command released a photograph of an airman assigned to the squadron handing out clothing near the Kobani Landing Zone (LZ), although it did not say he was stationed at Kobani. The Kobani LZ was constructed near the village of Sarrin, with a 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) runway.

In 2018, it was reported by non-military sources that the squadron was operating in Sarrin, in the western portion of Raqqa Governorate, Syria to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

US forces withdrew from northern Syria in 2019. Russian troops reportedly occupied the evacuated bases. About 500 U.S. troops remained to guard energy facilities in eastern Syria.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 441st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 19 June 1942

Activated on 1 July 1942

Redesignated 441st Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 9 October 1944

Inactivated on 6 December 1945

• Redesignated 441st Bombardment Squadron, Light on 26 May 1947

Activated in the reserve on 9 July 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Redesignated 441st Bombardment Squadron, Medium and activated on 1 December 1952

Discontinued on 15 September 1960

Redesignated 441st Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 15 November 1962 (not organized)

Organized on 1 February 1963

Inactivated on 30 September 1989

• Redesignated 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron and converted to provisional status on 13 May 2011

* Activated c. 15 June 2018

* Inactivated c. 5 May 2020

Assignments

• 320th Bombardment Group, 1 July 1942 – 4 December 1945
• 320th Bombardment Group, 9 July 1947 – 27 June 1949
• 320th Bombardment Wing, 1 December 1952 – 15 September 1960
• Strategic Air Command, 15 November 1962 (not organized)
• 320th Bombardment Wing, 1 February 1963 – 30 September 1989
• Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed at any time after 13 May 2011

• 379th Air Expeditionary Wing c. 15 June 2018 – c. 5 May 2020

Stations

• MacDill Field, Florida, 1 July 1942
• Drane Field, Florida, 8–28 August 1942
• RAF Hethel (AAF-114), England, 12 September 1942
• RAF Tibenham (AAF-124), England, 1 October 1942
• Oran Es Sénia Airport, Algeria, 9 January 1943
• Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria, 28 January 1943
• Montesquieu Airfield, Algeria, 14 April 1943
• Massicault Airfield, Tunisia, 29 June 1943
• El Bathan Airfield, Tunisia, 28 July 1943
• Decimomannu Airfield, Sardinia, Italy, c. 9 November 1943
• Alto Airfield, Corsica, France, c. 19 September 1944
• Dijon-Longvic Airfield (Y-9), France, 11 November 1944
• Dôle-Tavaux Airfield (Y-7), France, 2 April 1945
• Pfreimd, Germany, 20 June 1945
• Clastres Airfield (A-71), France, c. October-28 November 1945
• Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 5–7 December 1945
• Mitchel Field (later Mitchel Air Force Base), New York, 9 July 1947 – 27 June 1949
• March Air Force Base, California, 1 December 1952 – 15 September 1960
• Mather Air Force Base, California, 1 February 1963 – 30 September 1989
• Kobani Landing Zone, Syria, c. 15 June 2018 – c. 5 May 2020

Aircraft

• Martin B-26 Marauder, 1942–1945
• Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 1952–1953
• Boeing YRB-47B Stratojet, 1953
• Boeing B-47 Stratojet, 1953–1960
• Boeing B-52F Stratofortress, 1963–1968
• Boeing B-52G Stratofortress, 1968–1989

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Distinguished Unit Citation	12 May 1944	Italy, 441st Bombardment Squadron
	Distinguished Unit Citation	15 March 1945	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	15 June 2018–19 April 2019	441st Air Expeditionary Squadron
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 May 2019–5 May 2020	441st Air Expeditionary Squadron
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	18 June-31 July 1965 and 1 December 1965-1 March 1966	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	2 March-1 April 1966	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1974-30 June 1976	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1981-30 June 1983	441st Bombardment Squadron
	French Croix de Guerre with Palm	April, May, and June 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	Tunisia	9 January 1943–13 May 1943	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Antisubmarine, EAME Theater	9 January 1943–April 1943	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Air Combat, EAME Theater	9 January 1943–11 May 1945	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Sicily	14 May 1943–17 August 1943	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Naples-Foggia	18 August 1943–21 January 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Anzio	22 January 1944–24 May 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Rome-Arno	22 January 1944–9 September 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Southern France	15 August 1944–14 September 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron
	North Apennines	10 September 1944–11 November 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Northern France	25 July 1944–14 September 1944	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Rhineland	11 November 1944–21 March 1945	441st Bombardment Squadron
	Central Europe	22 March 1944–21 May 1945	441st Bombardment Squadron

See also

• List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force
• US intervention in the Syrian civil war#Withdrawal from north Syrua
• List of Martin B-26 Marauder operators
• List of B-29 Superfortress operators
• List of B-47 units of the United States Air Force

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Aircraft is Boeing B-52F-70-BW Stratofortress serial 57-162, nicknamed Casper The Friendly Ghost. This aircraft was the first B-52F used to test conventional bombing in 1964, and later dropped the 50,000th bomb of the Arc Light campaign. B-52Fs could carry 51 bombs and served in Vietnam from June 1965 to April 1966 when they were replaced by "Big Belly" B-52Ds which could carry 108 bombs.
2. Approved 23 January 2018.
3. Approved 3 June 1964.
4. Approved 7 April 1954. Description: on a red disc with a white border, a gray aircraft tail with deep red markings supporting a caricatured black duck with yellow bill and feet holding with his right wing a green bomb pointing to base with deep red bands, all outlined with black.
5. Used from 1944 to 1945.
6. Used from 1943 to 1944.
7. The 319th Bombardment Group suffered several losses on its ferry flight, as winter weather began to impact the northern ferry route and planes were delayed for weather or aircraft malfunctions. As a result, beginning with the 320th Group, further deployments of B-26 units to Europe travelled over the South Atlantic route, Freeman, pp. 15, 55.
8. Aircraft is Martin B-26G-5-MA Marauder, serial 43-34240. This aircraft was hit by German flak and exploded while attacking a roadblock near Covigliano, Italy on 23 August 1944. There were no survivors reported, though three parachutes were reported. Missing Aircrew Report 7997.
9. Aircraft is Boeing B-47B-50-BW Stratojet, serial 51-2307. Note the two diagonal tail stripes duplicated on the squadron insigne of the time. This aircraft was retired to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center on 2 September 1960. It is now on display outside Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, but carries the marking of another plane. Baugher, Joe (4 October 2023). "1951 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
10. Although the 320th Wing was a new organization, it later continued, through temporary bestowal, the history, and honors of the 320th Bombardment Group. This temporary bestowal ended in January 1984, when the wing and group were consolidated into a single unit.

Citations

1. ^ Robertson, Patsy (27 March 2018). "Factsheet 441 Air Expeditionary Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
2. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 545-546
3. ^ Watkins, pp. 84-85
4. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 199-201
5. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 547-548
6. ^ Tannahill, Victor (2003). "320th Bomb Group History:MacDill/Drane". 320th History Preservation. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
7. ^ Freeman, p. 255
8. Tannahill, Victor (2003). "320th Bomb Group History: Tafaroui". 320th History Preservation. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
9. Tannahill, Victor (2003). "320th Bomb Group History: Decicomammu, Sardinia". 320th History Preservation. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
10. Tannahill, Victor (2003). "320th Bomb Group History: Germany". 320th History Preservation. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
11. See Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 545-46 (no aircraft listed as assigned to the squadron from 1947 to 1949)
12. "Abstract, Mission Project Closeup, Continental Air Command". Air Force History Index. 27 December 1961. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
13. Ravenstein, pp. 119-220
14. ^ Ravenstein, pp. 170-172
15. Ravenstein, pp. 134-136
16. Narducci, p. 2
17. Narducci, p. 3
18. Schake, p. 220 (note 43)
19. ^ "Abstract (Unclassified), History of the Strategic Bomber since 1945 (Top Secret, downgraded to Secret)". Air Force History Index. 1 April 1975. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
20. Knaack, p. 252
21. "Abstract (Unclassified), Vol 1, History of Strategic Air Command, Jan-Jun 1957 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
22. Mueller, pp. 378, 380
23. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 264-265
24. Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). A Guide to Air Force Lineage and Honors (2d, Revised ed.). Maxwell AFB, AL: USAF Historical Research Center. p. 12.
25. Narducci, pp. 5-6
26. ^ No byline. "Operation Arc Light". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
27. Lake
28. Lake, p. 30
29. "441st Air Expeditionary Squadron Civil Engineer Runway Repair". United States Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
30. Armstrong, SSG Malissa (12 March 2019). "190312-F-SZ127-0249". U.S. Central Command. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
31. Sutea, Vlad. "Evacuation "Shattered Glass" The US/Coalition Bases in Syria (Part 1)". T-Intelligence. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
32. Trevithick, Joseph (6 June 2018). "Lotta interesting stuff happening in this picture, reportedly taken in Syria. Armored forklift loading the MV-22 reportedly belongs to the 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron, which runs the site. h/t @obretix" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 9 June 2018 – via Twitter.
33. No byline (7 June 2018). "Pictures: First Seen Ever Images Of Mini US Airbase In Syria's Al-Raqqa". Muraselon, the Syrian Reporters. Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
34. ^ See "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 26 May 2024. (search) (dates known to be active based on award recovnition).
35. ^ Station number in Anderson, p. 20.
36. Station number in Johnson, p. 51.
37. Station number in Johnson, p. 25.
38. Station number in Johnson, p. 21.
39. Station information in Robertson, Factsheet, except as noted.
40. ^ "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 26 May 2024. (search)

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL yes: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
• Freeman, Roger A. (1970). The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force). London, England, UK: Macdonald and Company. ISBN 978-0-87938-638-2.
• Johnson, 1st Lt. David C. (1988). U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems (PDF). Vol. 2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-59-5. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Lake, Jon; Styling, Mark (2004). B-52 Stratofortress Units in Combat 1955–73. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-607-2.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) . Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) . Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Narducci, Henry M. (1988). Strategic Air Command and the Alert Program: A Brief History. Offutt AFB, NE: Office of the Historian, Strategic Air Command. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Schake, Col Kurt W. (1998). Strategic Frontier: American Bomber Bases Overseas, 1950-1960 (PDF). Trondheim, Norway: Norwegian University of Science and Technology. ISBN 978-8277650241. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
• Watkins, Robert A. (2009). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Vol. IV, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-3401-6.

v t e Air Combat Command (ACC)
Air Forces	First (Northern) Ninth (Central) Twelfth (Southern) Fifteenth Sixteenth (Cyber)
Centers	601st Air Operations 609th Air Operations 612th Air Operations 616th Operations Air Force Technical Applications Cyberspace Capabilities United States Air Force Warfare
Bases	Beale Creech Davis–Monthan Grand Forks Langley–Eustis (Langley) Moody Mountain Home Nellis Offutt Seymour Johnson Shaw Tonopah Tyndall
Wings	Composite 23rd 53rd 55th 57th 355th 432nd Fighter 1st 4th 20th 325th 366th 388th Cyberspace 67th 688th Other 9th Reconnaissance 70th ISR 93rd Air Ground Operations 99th Air Base 319th Reconnaissance 363rd ISR 461st Air Control 480th ISR 505th Command and Control 552nd Air Control 557th Weather 633rd Air Base

v t e Strategic Air Command (SAC)
Bases	active (MAJCOM) CONUS Altus (AETC) Andersen (PACAF) Andrews (AMC) Barksdale (ACC) Beale (ACC) Bolling (AFDW) Cannon (AFSOC) Cape Cod (USSF) Columbus (AETC) Davis-Monthan (ACC) Dyess (ACC) Eielson (PACAF) Ellsworth (ACC) Eglin (AFMC) F. E. Warren (AFGSC) Fairchild (AMC) Forbes (ANG) Grand Forks (AMC) Grissom (AFRC) Homestead (AFRC) Lincoln (ANG) Little Rock (AETC) MacDill (AMC) Malmstrom (AFGSC) March (AFRC) McChord (AMC) McConnell (AMC) McGuire (AMC) Minot (ACC) Mountain Home (ACC) Nellis (ACC) Offutt (ACC) Patrick (USSF) Pease (ANG) Rickenbacker (ANG) Robins (AFMC) Seymour Johnson (ACC) Sheppard (AETC) Selfridge (ANG) Travis (AMC) Vandenberg (USSF) Westover (AFRC) Whiteman (ACC) Wright-Patterson (AFMC) overseas RAF Alconbury (USAFE) Diego Garcia (USN) Kadena (PACAF) RAF Fairford (USAFE) RAF Lakenheath (USAFE) RAF Mildenhall (USAFE) Thule (USSF) former / inactive CONUS Amarillo Bergstrom Biggs Calumet Air Force Station Carswell Castle Chennault Clinton-Sherman Dow Eaker Glasgow Grand Island (AAF) Griffiss Hunter K. I. Sawyer Kearney Kincheloe Larson Loring Lowry Mather McCoy Plattsburgh Presque Isle Ramey R.I. Bong (unbuilt) Schilling Stead Turner Walker Wurtsmith overseas Strategic Air Command in the United Kingdom RAF Bassingbourn Ben Guerir Boulhaut RAF Brize Norton RAF Bruntingthorpe RAF Burtonwood RAF Chelveston RAF Greenham Common Goose Ernest Harmon RAF High Wycombe RAF Upper Heyford Torrejón RAF Manston Morón Nouasseur Rabat-Salé RAF Scampton RAF Sculthorpe Sidi Slimane RAF South Ruislip U-Tapao RAF Waddington RAF Woodbridge RAF Wyton Zaragoza
Units	Air Forces Second Air Force Eighth Air Force Fifteenth Air Force Sixteenth Air Force Twentieth Air Force Divisions Air 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 12th 14th 17th 19th 21st 36th 40th 42d 45th 47th 57th 100th 311th 801st 802d 806th 817th 822d 823d 4310th Strategic aerospace 1st 18th 22d 810th 813th 816th 818th 819th 820th 821st 825th Strategic missile 13th Wings Bombardment 2d 5th 7th 9th 17th 19th 22d 28th 39th 40th 42d 43d 68th 70th 72d 92d 93d 96th 97th 99th 303d 319th 320th 340th 379th 380th 397th 410th 416th 449th 450th 454th 456th 461st 465th 484th 494th 509th Fighter 1st 4th 12th 27th 31st 33d 56th 71st Strategic Reconnaissance (Fighter) 82d 407th 506th 508th Missile 44th 90th 91st 308th 321st 341st 351st 381st 389th 390th 392d 451st 455th 702d 703d 704th 705th 706th 4320th Strategic Wing (Missile) Reconnaissance 6th Strategic Reconnaissance 26th Strategic Reconnaissance 55th Strategic Reconnaissance 544th Aerospace Reconnaissance Technical Refueling 11th 100th 301st 305th 384th 452d 497th 499th 500th Strategic Aerospace 310th 385th 462d AFCON 95th 98th 306th 307th 376th MAJCOM 3918th 3920th 3960th 3970th 3973d 4026th 4038th 4039th 4042d 4043d 4047th 4080th 4081st 4082d 4083d 4123d 4126th 4128th 4130th 4133d 4134th 4135th 4136th 4137th 4138th 4141st 4157th 4158th 4170th 4228th 4238th 4239th 4241st 4245th 4252nd 4258th 4321st USAAF Groups *= initial assigned unit upon SAC's activation Bombardment 2d (7/47) 7th (10/46) 28th (8/46) 40th (3/46*) 43rd (10/46) 44th (3/46*) 92nd (10/46) 93d (3/46*) 97th (8/46) 98th (7/47) 301st (8/46) 307th (8/46) 444th (3/46*) 448th (3/46*) 449th (3/46*) 467th (3/46*) 485th (3/46*) 498th (3/46*) 509th Composite (3/46*) Fighter 27th (6/47) 55th (2/47) Reconnaissance 91st Strategic Reconnaissance (1/47)
Major weapon systems	Bombers Rockwell B-1 Lancer Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Boeing B-29 Superfortress Convair B-36 Peacemaker North American B-45 Tornado Boeing B-47 Stratojet Boeing B-50 Superfortress Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Convair B-58 Hustler General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Command & Control Lockheed DC-130 Boeing E-4 Boeing EC-135 Boeing RC-135 Fighters North American F-2 Mustang North American F-82 Twin Mustang Republic F-84F Thunderstreak North American F-86 Sabre Convair F-102 Delta Dagger General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Missiles ADM-20 AGM-28 AGM-69 AGM-84 AGM-86 AGM-129 HGM-16 LGM-30A/B LGM-30F LGM-30G LGM-118A SM-62 PGM-17A PGM-19A Reconnaissance Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Lockheed TR-1 Lockheed U-2 Martin RB-57D Canberra Boeing RB-17 Boeing RB-29 Tankers Boeing KB-29 Superfortress Boeing KB-50 McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter Lockheed HC-130 Lockheed Martin KC-130 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Transport Beechcraft C-45 Douglas C-47 Skytrain Douglas C-54 Skymaster Fairchild C-82 Packet Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Douglas C-118 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar Douglas C-124 Globemaster II Convair C-131 Samaritan Boeing C-135 Stratolifter
Commanders	George Kenney Curtis LeMay Power Ryan Joseph J. Nazzaro Bruce K. Holloway John C. Meyer Russell E. Dougherty Richard H. Ellis Bennie L. Davis Larry D. Welch John T. Chain, Jr, George Lee Butler
Emblems	Strategic Air Command Emblem Gallery
United States military aircraft designation systems

v t e USAAF Twelfth Air Force in World War II
Stations Morocco Berguent Casablanca Guercif Louis Gentil Marnia Médiouna Nouasser Port Lyautey Oujda Rabat Sale Ras el Ma Algeria Ain M'lila Berteaux Biskra Canrobert Chateau-dun-du-Rhumel Constantine Es Sénia (Oran) Maison Blanche (Algiers) Matemore Montesquieu Nouvion Orleansville Philippeville Relizane Rerhaia Saint-Donat Saint-Leu Sedrata Sainte-Barbe du Tlélat Tafaraoui (Oran) Tébessa Telergma Thiersville Youks-les-Bains Tunisia Bizerte Dar el Koudia Depienne Djedeida Djilma Ebba Ksour El Djem El Bathan Enfidaville Goubrine Grombalia Hergla Kairouan Korba La Marsa La Sebala Le Sers Massicault Mateur Menzel Temime Monastir Oudna Pont du Fahs Protville Sainte Marie du Zit Souk-el-Arba Souk-el-Khemis Soliman Sousse Thelepte Italy Agrigento (Sicily) Bagnoli Barcelona LG (Sicily) Bari Boccadifalco (Sicily) Borizzo (Sicily) Capodichino (Naples) Castel Volturno Castelvetrano (Sicily) Cassibile (Sicily) Cattolica Catania (Sicily) Cercola Comiso (Sicily) Ciampino (Rome) Cesenatico Decimomannu (Sardinia) Elmas (Sardinia) Falconara Fano Florence Foggia Follonica Gaudo Gerbini (Sicily) Gioia Grosseto Grottaglie Iesi Le Banca Lecce Licata (Sicily) Manduria Marcianise Malignano Mazzara (Sicily) Milazzo (Sicily) Messina (Sicily) Montalto Di Castro Nettuno Montecorvino Ombrene Orbetello Paestum Pisa Pantelleria Pignataro Maggiore Piombino Pomigliano Ponte Galeria Pontedera Pompeii Ponte Olivo (Sicily) Reggio Calabria Rocca Bernardo Rosia San Pancrazio Santa Maria Scordia (Sicily) Sele Serretella Tarquinia Termini (Sicily) Tortorella Torrente Comunelli Tre Cancello Voltone Vesuvius France Aghione (Corsica) Amberieu (Y-5) Amiens (B-48) Clastres (A-71) Dijon (Y-9) Dôle-Tavaux (Y-7) Ghisonaccia (Corsica) Gisonochia (Corsica) Istres (Y-17) La Vallon (Y-18) Le Luc Luneville (Y-2) Loyettes (Y-25) Poretta (Corsica) Saint-Dizier (A-64) Salon de Provence (Y-16) Serragia (Corsica) Solonzara (Corsica) Tantonville (Y-1) Toul-Ochey (A-96)
Units Commands XII Bomber XII Tactical Air XXII Tactical Air XII Troop Carrier (Provisional) Wings 5th Bombardment 42d Bombardment 47th Bombardment (7th Fighter) 51st Troop Carrier 52d Troop Carrier 57th Bombardment 62d Fighter 63d Fighter 64th Fighter 87th Fighter 90th Photographic Groups Bombardment 2d Bombardment 12th Bombardment 17th Bombardment 47th Bombardment 97th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 99th Bombardment 301st Bombardment 310th Bombardment 319th Bombardment 320th Bombardment 321st Bombardment 340th Bombardment 376th Bombardment Fighter 1st Fighter 14th Fighter 27th Fighter 31st Fighter 33d Fighter 52d Fighter 57th Fighter 79th Fighter 81st Fighter 82d Fighter 86th Fighter 324th Fighter 325th Fighter 332d Fighter 350th Fighter Reconnaissance 3d Reconnaissance 5th Reconnaissance 68th Reconnaissance Troop carrier 60th Troop Carrier 61st Troop Carrier 62d Troop Carrier 64th Troop Carrier 313th Troop Carrier 314th Troop Carrier 316th Troop Carrier Squadrons 15th Bombardment 414th Night Fighter 415th Night Fighter 416th Night Fighter 417th Night Fighter 427th Night Fighter
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

v t e United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force in World War II
Units	Commands II Air Support Command III Air Support Command III Bomber Command III Fighter Command III Reconnaissance Command III Tactical Air Command Divisions III Tactical Air Division Wings 8th Fighter Wing 9th Fighter Wing 40th Bombardment Wing Groups Air Commando 2nd Air Commando 3rd Air Commando Bombardment 3rd Bombardment 12th Bombardment 17th Bombardment 21st Bombardment 29th Bombardment 30th Bombardment Group 38th Bombardment 44th Bombardment 46th Bombardment 47th Bombardment 85th Bombardment 88th Bombardment 90th Bombardment 91st Bombardment 92nd Bombardment 93rd Bombardment 94th Bombardment 95th Bombardment 97th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 99th Bombardment 100th Bombardment 309th Bombardment 310th Bombardment 312th Bombardment 319th Bombardment 320th Bombardment 321st Bombardment 322d Bombardment 323d Bombardment 335th Bombardment 336th Bombardment 340th Bombardment 344th Bombardment 345th Bombardment 386th Bombardment 387th Bombardment 391st Bombardment 394th Bombardment 396th Bombardment 397th Bombardment 409th Bombardment 410th Bombardment 411th Bombardment 416th Bombardment 417th Bombardment 418th Bombardment 451st Bombardment 454th Bombardment 463rd Bombardment 483rd Bombardment 488th Bombardment Fighter 20th Fighter 31st Fighter 49th Fighter 50th Fighter 53rd Fighter 54th Fighter 56th Fighter 59th Fighter 79th Fighter 80th Fighter 81st Fighter 84th Fighter 85th Fighter 311th Fighter 332nd Fighter 337th Fighter 338th Fighter 339th Fighter 361st Fighter 369th Fighter 372nd Fighter 404th Fighter 405th Fighter 408th Fighter 414th Fighter 506th Fighter Fighter-Bomber 27th Fighter-Bomber 48th Fighter-Bomber 86th Fighter-Bomber 406th Fighter-Bomber 407th Fighter-Bomber Reconnaissance 2d Reconnaissance 9th Reconnaissance 10th Reconnaissance 26th Reconnaissance 65th Reconnaissance 67th Reconnaissance 68th Reconnaissance 69th Reconnaissance 70th Reconnaissance 75th Reconnaissance 77th Reconnaissance 423d Reconnaissance 424th Reconnaissance 426th Reconnaissance
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

• Bombardment squadrons of the United States Air Force
• Bombardment squadrons of the United States Army Air Forces
• Military units and formations established in 1942
• Military units and formations of the United States Air Force Reserves