528th Bombardment Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 528th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 380th Bombardment Wing
, based at Plattsburgh AFB, New York
. It was inactivated on 30 September 1995.
heavy bomb squadron; trained under Second Air Force
in Texas
, and later in Colorado
. Deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA) in April 1943, being assigned to Fifth Air Force
in Australia
.
The air echelon had already arrived at Fenton Airfield
in the Australian Northern Territory
when the ground elements started out from Port Darwin by truck. The meaning of "Northern Territory" was made clear to every member who made the trip from Port Darwin to Fenton by truck. There were no signs of life except for the herds of curious kangaroo
s that froze on sight and then scampered away. This was to be the home of the 528th for the next fourteen months.
From its home at Fenton, the 528th reached out to the Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies, striking at well fortified Japanese oil refining and dock facilities, and cutting the Japanese supply lines. On 23 April 1944, on a bombing run over Noemfoor
Island, five aircraft of the 528th Participated in the wildest shooting spree of the war for the squadron. These five B-24s were intercepted by twenty-five Japanese fighters and a very hot battle ensued for the next hour. Twelve of the enemy fighters were shoot down, all five of the Liberators managed to make it back to Fenton, although heavily damaged. The squadron was not without losses though, one deadly and six wounded. This battle resulted in 21 Distinguished Flying Cross
es and 10 Silver Star
s being awarded to members of the 528th.
Moved to the Philippines
where the squadron operated in early 1945, then to Okinawa where combat operations ended after the Japanese Capitulation in August. After the war, squadron personnel were demobilized and returned to the United States, the B-24s sent to reclamation in the Philippines. Inactivated as a paper unit in early 1946.
In 1947, the 528th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as a reserve unit of the Strategic Air Command
at MacDill Field, Florida
. The squadron remained an inactive reserve unit until 1951 when the squadron was inactivated.
The squadron was again activated in 1955 as part of the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing and equipped with the B-47 Stratojet
. Flying the B-47, the 528th took a place as part of SAC's nuclear deterrent to war which were designed to carry nuclear weapons and to penetrate Soviet air defenses with its high operational ceiling and near supersonic speed. The squadron flew the B-47 for about a decade when by the mid-1960s it had become obsolete and vulnerable to new Soviet air defenses. The squadron began to send it's stratojets to AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB for retirement, being replaced by the B-52G Stratofortress in 1966, receiving its aircraft from the inactivating 70th Bombardment Squadron at Loring AFB, Maine
. The 528th was the only squadron assigned to the wing at this time. Crews of the 528th were deployed in support to the war in Southeast Asia
on a rotating TDY basis for Arc Light operations in the late 60s.
In 1969, it was announced that the 528th would be receiving the Air Force's newest weapons system, the General Dynamics FB-111A medium bomber. While maintaining the largest Alert Force commitment in the command, the squadron never failed an Operational Readiness Inspection or Buy None. In 1976, the Weapons Delivery Capability and Bombing Reliability for both evaluation was 100%. In 1977, an all-time SAC record for bombing accuracy was set, and during a December 1978 evaluation, a record number of releases was achieved with "Outstanding" reliability. This sustained professional competence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 45th Air Division Award for Outstanding Bombardment Squadron and General John D. Ryan Award (1976), and two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (1975 and 1978).
At the annual SAC Bomb Comp in 1974, the tradition begun by "The Pride of the Adirondacks" was revived by an FB-111A nicknamed "Apple One". A 528th crew won top honors and helped to bring the Fairchild Trophy to Plattsburgh AFB. In 1975, another 528th team took the Best Crew Award and Plattsburgh took the High Noon Trophy. With three of the four crews wearing the gold scarf, the unprecedented second consecutive Fairchild Trophy was won in 1976. The 528th BS was recognized as the "Best Bomb Squadron in SAC" in 1976 and earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1978.
Inactivated in 1995 with the retirement of the FB-111, aircraft being redesignated as F-111Gs and reconfigured for conventional munitions; sent to Tactical Air Command
at Cannon AFB, New Mexico
.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to the 380th Bombardment Wing
380th Air Expeditionary Wing
The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is attached to the United States Air Forces Central component of ACC and is stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates....
, based at Plattsburgh AFB, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was inactivated on 30 September 1995.
History
Established in late 1942 as a B-24 LiberatorB-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
heavy bomb squadron; trained under Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and later in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA) in April 1943, being assigned to Fifth Air Force
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
The air echelon had already arrived at Fenton Airfield
Fenton Airfield
Fenton Airfield is a World War II military airfield located at Tipperary Station, Hayes Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.Abandoned since 1945, the site is an outstanding example of a World War II heavy bomber airfield construction and layout, and is one of three surviving examples of heavy...
in the Australian Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
when the ground elements started out from Port Darwin by truck. The meaning of "Northern Territory" was made clear to every member who made the trip from Port Darwin to Fenton by truck. There were no signs of life except for the herds of curious kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
s that froze on sight and then scampered away. This was to be the home of the 528th for the next fourteen months.
From its home at Fenton, the 528th reached out to the Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies, striking at well fortified Japanese oil refining and dock facilities, and cutting the Japanese supply lines. On 23 April 1944, on a bombing run over Noemfoor
Noemfoor
Numfor is one of the Biak Islands in Papua province, Indonesia. It was the site of conflict between Japanese and the Allied forces during World War II, and was major airbase for both sides.-Geography:The island is situated just north of the large Cenderawasih Bay...
Island, five aircraft of the 528th Participated in the wildest shooting spree of the war for the squadron. These five B-24s were intercepted by twenty-five Japanese fighters and a very hot battle ensued for the next hour. Twelve of the enemy fighters were shoot down, all five of the Liberators managed to make it back to Fenton, although heavily damaged. The squadron was not without losses though, one deadly and six wounded. This battle resulted in 21 Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
es and 10 Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s being awarded to members of the 528th.
Moved to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
where the squadron operated in early 1945, then to Okinawa where combat operations ended after the Japanese Capitulation in August. After the war, squadron personnel were demobilized and returned to the United States, the B-24s sent to reclamation in the Philippines. Inactivated as a paper unit in early 1946.
In 1947, the 528th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as a reserve unit of the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
at MacDill Field, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The squadron remained an inactive reserve unit until 1951 when the squadron was inactivated.
The squadron was again activated in 1955 as part of the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing and equipped with the B-47 Stratojet
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
. Flying the B-47, the 528th took a place as part of SAC's nuclear deterrent to war which were designed to carry nuclear weapons and to penetrate Soviet air defenses with its high operational ceiling and near supersonic speed. The squadron flew the B-47 for about a decade when by the mid-1960s it had become obsolete and vulnerable to new Soviet air defenses. The squadron began to send it's stratojets to AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB for retirement, being replaced by the B-52G Stratofortress in 1966, receiving its aircraft from the inactivating 70th Bombardment Squadron at Loring AFB, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. The 528th was the only squadron assigned to the wing at this time. Crews of the 528th were deployed in support to the war in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
on a rotating TDY basis for Arc Light operations in the late 60s.
In 1969, it was announced that the 528th would be receiving the Air Force's newest weapons system, the General Dynamics FB-111A medium bomber. While maintaining the largest Alert Force commitment in the command, the squadron never failed an Operational Readiness Inspection or Buy None. In 1976, the Weapons Delivery Capability and Bombing Reliability for both evaluation was 100%. In 1977, an all-time SAC record for bombing accuracy was set, and during a December 1978 evaluation, a record number of releases was achieved with "Outstanding" reliability. This sustained professional competence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 45th Air Division Award for Outstanding Bombardment Squadron and General John D. Ryan Award (1976), and two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (1975 and 1978).
At the annual SAC Bomb Comp in 1974, the tradition begun by "The Pride of the Adirondacks" was revived by an FB-111A nicknamed "Apple One". A 528th crew won top honors and helped to bring the Fairchild Trophy to Plattsburgh AFB. In 1975, another 528th team took the Best Crew Award and Plattsburgh took the High Noon Trophy. With three of the four crews wearing the gold scarf, the unprecedented second consecutive Fairchild Trophy was won in 1976. The 528th BS was recognized as the "Best Bomb Squadron in SAC" in 1976 and earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1978.
Inactivated in 1995 with the retirement of the FB-111, aircraft being redesignated as F-111Gs and reconfigured for conventional munitions; sent to Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
at Cannon AFB, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
.
Lineage
- Constituted 528th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 October 1942
- Activated on 3 November 1942
- Inactivated on 20 February 1946
- Redesignated 528th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 13 May 1947
- Activated in the reserve on 29 May 1947
- Redesignated 528th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 26 June 1949
- Ordered to active service on 1 May 1951
- Inactivated on 16 May 1951
- Activated on 11 July 1955
- Inactivated on 30 September 1995
Assignments
- 380th Bombardment Group, 3 November 1942-20 February 1946
- Attached to: Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceThe Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
, 28 April 1943 - 21 February 1945- Fourteenth Air ForceFourteenth Air ForceThe Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
, 29 May 1947 - 380th Bombardment Group, 16 June 1947-16 May 1951
- 380th Bombardment Wing, 11 July 1955-30 September 1995
- Fourteenth Air Force
Stations
- Davis-Monthan Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, 3 November 1942 - Biggs Field, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 2 December 1942 - Lowry Field, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, 4 March-19 April 1943 - Fenton AirfieldFenton AirfieldFenton Airfield is a World War II military airfield located at Tipperary Station, Hayes Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.Abandoned since 1945, the site is an outstanding example of a World War II heavy bomber airfield construction and layout, and is one of three surviving examples of heavy...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, 28 April 1943 - RAAF Base DarwinRAAF Base DarwinRAAF Base Darwin is a Royal Australian Air Force base located in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory. The base shares its runway with Darwin International Airport.-History:...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, c. 20 August 1944 - San Jose, MindoroMindoroMindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
, c. 21 February 1945 - Motobu AirfieldMotobu AirfieldMotobu Airfield is a World War II airfield on the Motobu Peninsula of Okinawa, near the East China Sea coast. The airfield was deactivated after 1945.-History:...
, Okinawa, 8 August 1945 - Fort William McKinleyFort William McKinleyFort William McKinley, was established in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War in 1901 when the whole land south of Pasig River down to Alabang was declared a U.S. Military Reservation. During the World War II era, it was where USAFFE had its headquarters for the Philippine Department...
, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, C. 28 November 1945-20 February 1946 - MacDill AFB, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 29 May 1947-16 May 1951 - Plattsburgh AFB, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, 11 July 1955-30 September 1995
Aircraft
- B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
, 1942–1945 - B-29 SuperfortressB-29 SuperfortressThe B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
, 1947–1951 - B-47 StratojetB-47 StratojetThe Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
, 1955–1965 - B-52 StratofortressB-52 StratofortressThe Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber operated by the United States Air Force since the 1950s. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, who have continued to provide maintainence and upgrades to the aircraft in service...
, 1966–1971 - General Dynamics F-111General Dynamics F-111The General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" was a medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, it first entered service in 1967 with the...
, 1971–1995
See also
- United States Army Air Forces in AustraliaUnited States Army Air Forces in AustraliaDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Forces established a series of airfields in Australia for the collective defense of the country, as well as for conducting offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy...
- List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force