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436th Training Squadron

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436th Training Squadron
Emblem of the 436th Training Squadron
Active1917–1993, 2005 Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
RoleBombardment
Part ofFar East Air Force
SAC 436th Bomb Squadron emblem
World War II squadron emblem

The 436th Training Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It assigned to the Air Combat Command 7th Bomb Wing, based at Dyess AFB, Texas.

Overview

The 436th Training Squadron provides formal training to Air Combat Command using 15 schools at Dyess and 38 other programs exported directly to units for local training needs.

Training includes command and control, air, ground and weapons safety, Air Force Operations Resource Management System, classroom instructor training, Air Force Mission Support System administration, mission planning cell training, life support and survival, and computer software use and development. The 436th Training Squadron also develops multimedia and formal presentations used in training program development and formal presentations. Multimedia personnel are based at Dyess, and deploy worldwide to perform their mission. Unit products and services are used throughout the DOD.

History

Activated in the summer of 1917 as the Air Service 80th Aero Squadron; deployed to France during World War II and served on the Western Front. Engaged in combat as a corps observation squadron with I, III, IV, and V Army Corps, May 30 – November 10, 1918. After the armistice subsequently served with VII Army Corps in occupation force, November 1918 – May 1919 when the squadron returned to the United States

Redesignated as the 88th Squadron in 1921 and assigned to Langley Field, Virginia. Participated in demonstrations of effectiveness of aerial bombardment on warships, June–September 1921. Deployed for service in connection with civil disorders arising from West Virginia coal strike, September 1921. Redesignated 88th Observation Squadron in 1921 the squadron moved from Langley to support Army ground forces at Fort Campbell Kentucky; then to Texas in 1927 at Brooks Field to patrol the Mexican Border; to Oklahoma in 1928 to support Fort Sill, then back to Brooks Field in 1931.

Squadron moved to California in 1935 and was assigned to the new Hamilton Field near San Francisco. Became a coastal patrol squadron operation Amphibian aircraft, then began to operate modern Martin B-10 aircraft in 1936 in the reconnaissance mission. The squadron dropped food and supplies and flew photographic missions in connection with flood-relief operations in central California, December 12–13, 1937; upgraded to the B-10 Bolo in 1938, and in 1939 to early-model Boeing B-17B Flying Fortress for long range reconnaissance patrols. Moved to Fort Douglas, Utah in 1940 when the short runways at Hamilton proved inadequate for B-17 operations, with a secondary move to Salt Lake City Army Air Base in January 1941 where it was upgraded to the B-17E.

In early December 1941, was ordered to Clark Field, Philippines Commonwealth to build up forces there due to increased tensions between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Departed on 5 December from Salt Lake City; then left Hamilton Field on 6 December bound for Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory. Air echelon under attack during its arrival at Hickam on 7 December. Some of the planes managed to land at a short fighter strip at Haleiwa, one set down on a golf course, and the remainder landed at Hickam under the strafing of Japanese planes.

After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the surviving aircraft operated from Hawaii until Feburary 1942, becoming part of the air defense forces of the Territory. Moved to Australia where the squadron reformed in northern Queensland in late February. Became part of the new Fifth Air Force. Moved to Java in an attempt to stop the Japanese advance, however the small force of B-17s could do very little to stem the tide of the Japanese advance, launching valiant but futile attacks against the masses of Japanese shipping and returned to Townville in early March.

Redesignated as the 435th Bombardment Squadron in April 1942 and left its B-17Es in Australia, being reassigned to the new Tenth Air Force in India where it was re-equipped with long-range Consolidated B-24D Liberators. For the balance of the war, carried out long distance heavy bomb raids over Japanese targets primarily in Burma, Thailand and Indochina; although also attacked Japanese targets in Southeastern China attacking airfields, fuel and supply dumps, locomotive works, railways, bridges, docks, warehouses, shipping, and troop concentrations in Burma and struck oil refineries in Thailand, power plants in China and enemy shipping in the Andaman Sea. Ceased bombing operations in late May 1945 and was attached to the Air Transport Command to haul gasoline from India over the Himalayas to China. Squadron demobilized in India, leaving B-24s to Indian Colonial forces, inactivated as a paper unit in the United States in early 1946.

Reactivated in 1946 as a B-29 Superfortress bombardment squadron and trained in global bombardment operations flying simulated bombing missions over various cities, as well as performing intercontinental training missions over the Pacific and later to Europe. In June 1948 the first Consolidated B-36A Peacekeeper was delivered. Operated B-36s until 1958 when the squadron began conversion to the B-52 Stratoforterss.

In 1959 was reassigned to SAC provisional 4238th Strategic Wing, being re-equipped with B-52F Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers. Was reassigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, Mississippi by SAC to disperse its heavy bomber force. Conducted worldwide strategic bombardment training missions and providing nuclear deterrent. Was inactivated in 1963 when SAC inactivated its provisional Strategic Wings, redesignating them permanent Air Force Wings. Squadron was inactivated with aircraft/personnel/equipment being redesignated 20th Bombardment Squadron in an in-place, name-only transfer.

Reactivated in 1986 as a SAC B-52 Training Squadron at Carswell AFB, Texas, inactivated in 1993 with the closure of Carswell. Reactivated in 2005 at Dyess AFB with a similar mission for B-1B Lancers.

Lineage

  • Organized: 88th Aero Squadron August 18, 1917
Redesignated: 88th Squadron March 14, 1921
Redesignated: 88th Observation Squadron' January 25, 1923
Inactivated: August 1, 1927
  • Activated: June 1, 1928
Redesignated: 88th Observation Squadron (Long-range, Amphibian) March 1, 1935
Redesignated: 88th Reconnaissance Squadron September 1, 1936
Redesignated: 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range) December 6, 1939
Redesignated: 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) November 20, 1940
Redesignated: 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) April 22, 1942
Inactivated: January 6, 1946
  • Redesignated: 436th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) October 1, 1946
Activated: October 1, 1946
Redesignated: 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) July 20, 1948
Discontinued, and inactivated on: April 1, 1963; personnel/aircraft/equipment redesignated as 20th Bombardment Squadron
  • Redesignated: 436th Strategic Training Squadron February 12, 1986
Activated: July 1, 1986
Inactivated: October 1, 1993
  • Redesignated 436th Training Squadron and reactivated on 1 Oct 2005

Assignments

Stations

See also

References

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

  • Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975