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598th Range Squadron
USAF Pararescuemen prepare a simulated casualty for medical evacuation during a training exercise at Avon Park Air Force Range while their Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter orbits overhead
Active	1943–1945; 2015–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Range management
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Avon Park Air Force Range
Motto(s)	Si Vis Pacem Para Bellumn (Latin for 'If You Desire Peace, Prepare for War')
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
598th Range Squadron emblem
598th Bombardment Squadron emblem
World War II group tail marking	Yellow diagonal stripe
World War II squadron fuselage code	U2

The 598th Range Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 23d Fighter Group and is stationed at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida where it replaced Detachment 1, 23d Fighter Group on 22 September 2015. The squadron also operates the Deployed Unit Complex at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

It was first activated at MacDill Field, Florida in April 1943 as the 598th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it transferred to the European Theater of Operations, where it was a component of IX Bomber Command. The squadron served in combat from April 1944 until the end of World War II, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for an attack on Ediger-Eller, Germany, in December 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. Following V-E Day the squadron remained in France until December 1945, when it returned the United States and was inactivated at Camp Kilmer.

Mission

The 598th Range Squadron is responsible for operating the range and a deployed unit complex located at MacDill Air Force Base, FL. The squadron provides extensive, diverse and convenient training airspace and ranges with capabilities for military air and ground training. The Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex is the largest training range east of the Mississippi River and includes an 8,000 foot (2,400 m) long operational runway.

History

World War II

The squadron was established at MacDill Field, Florida in April 1943 as one of the original squadrons of the 397th Bombardment Group, a B-26 Marauder medium bomber group. It drew its initial cadre from the 21st Bombardment Group. The squadron trained under Third Air Force at stations in the southeastern United States. After completing its training by participating in the Tennessee Maneuvers, the squadron departed Hunter Field, Georgia for the European Theater of Operations on 13 March 1944.

The squadron was temporarily stationed at RAF Gosfield upon its arrival in England in early April 1944. On the 15th of the month, its parent group displaced the 363d Fighter Group at RAF Rivenhall and flew its first combat mission five days later. In preparation for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, the squadron participated in Operation Crossbow, attacking V-1 flying bomb launch pads. It also struck bridges, coastal defenses, marshalling yards and airfields in northern France. On D-Day the squadron attacked strong points and bombed fuel dumps and other objectives to support ground forces throughout the Normandy Campaign.

In July 1944, the squadron participated in Operation Cobra, attacking German forces near Saint Lo, France, during the Allied breakout there. In August, the squadron moved from England to Gorges Airfield, an Advanced Landing Ground in France. From there it attacked naval targets at Saint Malo and Brest. Once on the Continent, the squadron made frequent moves forward as the Allied forces advanced during the Northern France Campaign. By September the squadron began flying missions into Germany, attacking depots and defended areas.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the squadron struck enemy lines of communications. On 23 December 1944 the unit severed a railway bridge at Ediger-Eller, Germany, despite heavy flak and fighter opposition from the Luftwaffe. For this action it was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. The squadron continued to fly missions to support the Allied drive into Germany until 20 April 1945, exactly one year after its first combat mission, having completed 239 combat missions.

After V-E Day the squadron returned to its former base at Peronne Airfield, France, and remained there until December, when it returned to the United States. Upon arrival at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in late December 1945, the squadron was inactivated.

Range management

The squadron was redesignated 598th Range Squadron and activated at the MacDill Air Force Base auxiliary field at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida on 22 September 2015. It replaced Detachment 1, 23d Fighter Group, which had been managing the range and the Deployed Unit Complex at MacDill previously. The 598th Squadron operates both the Avon Park Air Force Range in Polk County and Highlands County, Florida and the Deployed Unit Complex.

The squadron is part of the 23d Fighter Group, part of the 23d Wing, located at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 598th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 20 March 1943

Activated on 20 April 1943

• Redesignated 598th Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. April 1944

Inactivated on 31 December 1945

• Redesignated 598th Range Squadron on 12 August 2015

Activated on 22 September 2015

Assignments

• 397th Bombardment Group, 20 April 1943 – 31 December 1945
• 23d Fighter Group, 22 September 2015 – present

Stations

• MacDill Field, Florida, 20 April 1943
• Avon Park Army Air Field, Florida, 14 October 1943
• Hunter Field, Georgia, 1 November 1943 – 13 March 1944
• RAF Gosfield (Station 154), England, 5 April 1944
• RAF Rivenhall (Station 168), England, 15 April 1944
• RAF Hurn (AAF-492), England, 4 August 1944
• Gorges Airfield (A-26), France, 30 August 1944
• Dreux/Vernouillet Airfield (A-41), France, c. 16 September 1944
• Peronne Airfield (A-72), France, c. 8 October 1944
• Venlo Airfield (Y-55), Netherlands, 25 April 1945
• Peronne Airfield (A-72), France, 30 May – c. December 1945
• Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 30 – 31 December 1945
• Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida, 22 September 2015 – present

Aircraft

• Martin B-26 Marauder, 1943–1945

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Distinguished Unit Citation	23 December 1944 Germany	598th Bombardment Squadron

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	Air Offensive, Europe	5 April 1944 – 5 June 1944	598th Bombardment Squadron
	Normandy	6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944	598th Bombardment Squadron
	Northern France	25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944	598th Bombardment Squadron
	Rhineland	15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945	598th Bombardment Squadron
	Ardennes-Alsace	16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945	598th Bombardment Squadron
	Central Europe	5 April 1944 – 21 May 1945	598th Bombardment Squadron

See also

• List of United States Air Force squadrons
• List of Martin B-26 Marauder operators

References

Notes

Eplanatory notes

1. Approved 5 February 1944. Description: A black fire bomb lighted at the fuse proper, highlighted white, to form the nose and eye of caricatured head, resting on outline collar base, and supporting a red, white, and blue top hat, all in front of an irregular white cloud formation, outlined light blue.

Citations

1. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 678–679
2. ^ Watkins, pp. 112–113
3. ^ Tinsley, SRA Ceaira (23 September 2015). "598th RANS reactivates after seven decades". 23d Wing Public Affairs. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016.
4. No byline. "Avon Park Air Force Range". 23rd Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
5. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 283–284
6. ^ "Abstract, History 397 bombardment Group Apr 1943 – Mar 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
7. "Abstract, History 397 Bombardment Group Apr–May 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
8. "Abstract, History 397 Bombardment Group Apr 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
9. ^ Hauman, Daniel (5 January 2016). "Factsheet 597 Range Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
10. ^ Station number in Anderson, p. 22
11. Station number in Anderson, p. 33
12. Station number in Johnson, p. 15
13. Station number in Johnson, p. 17
14. ^ Station number in Johnson, p. 21
15. Station number in Johnson, p. 30
16. Station information in Haulman, Factsheet, except as noted.

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: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
• 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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• 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.
• 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.
• Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-2938-8.

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Centers	601st Air Operations 609th Air Operations 612th Air Operations 616th Operations Air Force Technical Applications Cyberspace Capabilities United States Air Force Warfare
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v t e USAAF Ninth Air Force in World War II
Stations	Palestine (Mand) Lydda Muqueibile Ramat David St Jean Egypt Abu Sueir Ismailia El Amiriya Daba Deversoir Fayid Kabrit * Landing Ground 174 Payne Sidi Haneish Libya Baheira Belandah Benina Castel Benito Berca Darragh El Adem El Assa Gambut Hamraiet Lete Martuba Tmed El Chel Tobruk Tripoli Sidi Azeiz Tunisia Ben Gardane Bou Grara Chekira Hani Hazbub Hergla El Djem El Haouaria Kairouan Medenine Menzel Heurr Sfax Soltane United Kingdom Aldermaston Andover Andrews Field Ashford Balderton Barkston Heath Beaulieu Birch Bisterne Boreham Bottesford Boxted Charmy Down Chalgrove Chilbolton Chipping Ongar Christchurch Cottesmore Earls Colne Exeter Folkingham Fulbeck Gosfield Great Dunmow Greenham Common Grove High Halden Headcorn Holmsley South Hurn Ibsley Kingsnorth Langar Lashenden Little Walden Lymington Matching Membury Merryfield Middle Wallop North Witham Ramsbury Raydon Rivenhall Saltby Scorton Staplehurst Spanhoe Stansted Stoney Cross Thruxton Upottery Warmwell Welford Weston Zoyland Wethersfield Winkton Woodchurch Wormingford Europe Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany too numerous.
Units	Commands 9th Air Division (was IX Bomber Command) IX Air Defense IX Fighter IX Tactical Air IX Troop Carrier XIX Tactical Air XXIX Tactical Air Wings Bombardment 97th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 99th Bombardment Fighter 8th Fighter 9th Fighter 70th Fighter 71st Fighter 84th Fighter 100th Fighter 303d Fighter Troop carrier 50th Troop Carrier 52d Troop Carrier 53d Troop Carrier Groups Bombardment 12th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 322d Bombardment 323d Bombardment Group 340th Bombardment Group 344th Bombardment Group 376th Bombardment 386th Bombardment 387th Bombardment 391st Bombardment 394th Bombardment 397th Bombardment 409th Bombardment 410th Bombardment 416th Bombardment Fighter 36th Fighter 48th Fighter 50th Fighter 57th Fighter 79th Fighter 324th Fighter 354th Fighter 358th Fighter 365th Fighter 362d Fighter 363d Fighter 366th Fighter 367th Fighter 368th Fighter 370th Fighter 371st Fighter 373d Fighter 404th Fighter 405th Fighter 406th Fighter 474th Fighter Troop carrier 61st Troop Carrier 64th Troop Carrier 313th Troop Carrier 314th Troop Carrier 315th Troop Carrier 316th Troop Carrier 349th Troop Carrier 434th Troop Carrier 435th Troop Carrier 436th Troop Carrier 437th Troop Carrier 438th Troop Carrier 439th Troop Carrier 440th Troop Carrier 441st Troop Carrier 442d Troop Carrier IX Troop Carrier Pathfinder (Provisional) Reconnaissance 10th Reconnaissance 67th Reconnaissance 69th Reconnaissance Squadrons Liaison 14th Liaison 47th Liaison Night fighter 422d Night Fighter 425th 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
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• Squadrons of the United States Air Force