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==History==
==History==
Established as the '''93d Aero Squadron''' in the Air Service during the summer of 1917 in [[Texas]] during [[World War I]]. Deployed to [[France]] in October 1917 and trained for aerial combat with the [[French Air Force]]. Deployed to the [[Western Front]] and the squadron flew combat missions in [[France]] as a pursuit unit from 11 August 1918 – 10 November 1918. Remained in France until March 1919 when the squadron returned to the United States and inactivated.
The 93d flew combat missions in [[France]] as a pursuit unit from 11 August 1918 – 10 November 1918. It also saw combat in the Southwest [[Pacific]] from, 7 December 1941-c. 24 October 1942 with its ground echelon fighting alongside [[infantry]] units in the [[Philippines]], c. 19 December 1941-May 1942. The squadron conducted replacement training from, 1 February 1943-1 April 1944 before returning to combat in Western Pacific from, c. 12 February 1945 – 15 August 1945.


Was reactivated in 1935 as part of the [[General Headquarters Air Force]] as the '''93d Bombardment Squadron''', assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group at March Field, California. Initially equipped with Martin B-10s, later B-18 Bolos, receiving early model B-17C Flying Fortresses in 1939.
[[File:B-29s 19th Bomb Group over Korea 1950.jpg|thumb|Two 93rd BS B-29s on a mission over Korea, 1950, "No Sweat" in the foreground.]]


Deployed to the [[Philippines Air Force]] at [[Clark Field]], [[Philippine Commonwealth]] in October 1941 as a reinforcement unit when tensions were escalating between the United States and the [[Japanese Empire]]. On 8 December 1941 many of the squadrons aircraft were destroyed during an air raid at Clark in the aftermath of the [[Pearl Harbor Attack]]; the survivors engaging on combat from secondary airfields against the invading Japanese forces until the situation in the Philippines became untenable and withdrew to [[Australia]]. The survivors of the ground echelon fought as infantry during [[Battle of Bataan]] and after their surrender, were subjected to the [[Bataan Death March]], although some did escape to Australia and some presumably fought on as unorganized guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation.
⚫
The 93d also flew combat missions in [[Korea]], 28 June 1950-25 July 1953. It has conducted bombardment training, [[1954]]-[[1963]] and since [[1993]]. It won the B-52 category of the [[1995]] Gunsmoke competition and participated in training [[Military exercise|exercises]] through the 1990s.

In Australia, the escaped airmen and aircraft of the squadron reformed into a combat unit; engaging in combat during the [[Dutch East Indies]] and [[New Guinea]] Campaigns flying heavy bomber combat missions from Australia. In late 1942, the B-17C/D and a few F models in Australia were replaced by long-range [[B-24 Liberator]]s, and the unit was returned to the United States and became an operational training unit with [[Second Air Force]] for replacement B-17 personnel.

In April 1944, re-equipped with [[B-29 Superfortress]]es and assigned to [[XXI Bomber Command]] in the [[Northern Mariana Islands]]. Engaged in very long-range strategic bombing of the [[Japan|Japanese Home Islands]] until the Japanese Capitulation in August 1945. Squadron remained as part of [[Far East Air Forces]] [[Twentieth Air Force]] on [[Guam]] during the postwar era. Deployed to [[Kadena AB]], [[Okinawa]] after the eruption of the [[Korean War]], flew long range strategic combat missions over enemy targets in [[North Korea]] until 1954 when returned to the United States; the squadrons B-29s being sent to reclamation.

Re-equipped with [[B-47 Stratojet]]s in 1954 as part of [[Strategic Air Command]]. Flew strategic bombardment training missions until 1962 when B-47s were being phased out of the inventory. In 1960 was reassigned to SAC provisional [[4133d Strategic Wing]], being re-equipped with [[B-52|B-52H Stratofortress]] intercontinental heavy bombers. Was reassigned to [[Grand Forks AFB]], [[North Dakota]] 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 [[46th Bombardment Squadron]] in an in-place, name-only transfer.

⚫
Reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1993, conducting bombardment training. It won the B-52 category of the [[1995]] Gunsmoke competition and participated in training [[Military exercise|exercises]] through the 1990s.


In September [[2001]] deployed in support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] where it flew 88 combat missions before redeploying to Barskdale AFB in January [[2002]]. It deployed in support of operations in [[Afghanistan]] again from May-September 2002. In March [[2003]] the 93d deployed to [[RAF Fairford]] and [[Diego Garcia]] in support of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Between March and August 2003 the 93d flew more than 100 combat sorties and dropped over 1 million pounds of [[munitions]]. From January-March [[2005]] the squadron deployed to [[Anderson Air Force Base]], [[Guam]] as part of an ongoing bomber rotation to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the Asian-Pacific region by the [[U.S. Pacific Command]].
In September [[2001]] deployed in support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] where it flew 88 combat missions before redeploying to Barskdale AFB in January [[2002]]. It deployed in support of operations in [[Afghanistan]] again from May-September 2002. In March [[2003]] the 93d deployed to [[RAF Fairford]] and [[Diego Garcia]] in support of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Between March and August 2003 the 93d flew more than 100 combat sorties and dropped over 1 million pounds of [[munitions]]. From January-March [[2005]] the squadron deployed to [[Anderson Air Force Base]], [[Guam]] as part of an ongoing bomber rotation to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the Asian-Pacific region by the [[U.S. Pacific Command]].
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: Redesignated: '''93 Bombardment Squadron, Medium''' on 10 Aug 1948
: Redesignated: '''93 Bombardment Squadron, Medium''' on 10 Aug 1948
: Redesignated: '''93 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy''' on 1 Jul 1961
: Redesignated: '''93 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy''' on 1 Jul 1961
: Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Feb 1963
: Discontinued, and inactivated on: 1 Apr 1963; personnel/aircraft/equipment redesignated as [[716th Bombardment Squadron]]
* Redesignated '''93 Bomb Squadron''', and activated in the Reserve, on 1 Oct 1993.
* Redesignated '''93 Bomb Squadron''', and activated in the Reserve, on 1 Oct 1993.


Revision as of 23:49, 27 June 2010

93d Bomb Squadron
93d Bomb Squadron Patch
Active21 August 1917 - 31 March 1919
20 October 1939 - 1 February 1963
1 October 1993 - Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeStrategic Bombing
Part ofAir Force Reserve Command
Tenth Air Force
917th Wing
917th Operations Group
Garrison/HQBarksdale Air Force Base
EngagementsBattle of the Philippines
Decorations DCU
AFOUA
PPUC
ROK PUC

The 93d Bomb Squadron (93 BS) is part of the 917th Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It operates B-52 Stratofortress aircraft providing strategic bombing capability. It is the only reserve bomber unit in the United States Air Force.

Mission

Employ the bomber in support of Air Force worldwide conventional commitments.

History

Established as the 93d Aero Squadron in the Air Service during the summer of 1917 in Texas during World War I. Deployed to France in October 1917 and trained for aerial combat with the French Air Force. Deployed to the Western Front and the squadron flew combat missions in France as a pursuit unit from 11 August 1918 – 10 November 1918. Remained in France until March 1919 when the squadron returned to the United States and inactivated.

Was reactivated in 1935 as part of the General Headquarters Air Force as the 93d Bombardment Squadron, assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group at March Field, California. Initially equipped with Martin B-10s, later B-18 Bolos, receiving early model B-17C Flying Fortresses in 1939.

Deployed to the Philippines Air Force at Clark Field, Philippine Commonwealth in October 1941 as a reinforcement unit when tensions were escalating between the United States and the Japanese Empire. On 8 December 1941 many of the squadrons aircraft were destroyed during an air raid at Clark in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor Attack; the survivors engaging on combat from secondary airfields against the invading Japanese forces until the situation in the Philippines became untenable and withdrew to Australia. The survivors of the ground echelon fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan and after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia and some presumably fought on as unorganized guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation.

In Australia, the escaped airmen and aircraft of the squadron reformed into a combat unit; engaging in combat during the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea Campaigns flying heavy bomber combat missions from Australia. In late 1942, the B-17C/D and a few F models in Australia were replaced by long-range B-24 Liberators, and the unit was returned to the United States and became an operational training unit with Second Air Force for replacement B-17 personnel.

In April 1944, re-equipped with B-29 Superfortresses and assigned to XXI Bomber Command in the Northern Mariana Islands. Engaged in very long-range strategic bombing of the Japanese Home Islands until the Japanese Capitulation in August 1945. Squadron remained as part of Far East Air Forces Twentieth Air Force on Guam during the postwar era. Deployed to Kadena AB, Okinawa after the eruption of the Korean War, flew long range strategic combat missions over enemy targets in North Korea until 1954 when returned to the United States; the squadrons B-29s being sent to reclamation.

Re-equipped with B-47 Stratojets in 1954 as part of Strategic Air Command. Flew strategic bombardment training missions until 1962 when B-47s were being phased out of the inventory. In 1960 was reassigned to SAC provisional 4133d Strategic Wing, being re-equipped with B-52H Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers. Was reassigned to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota 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 46th Bombardment Squadron in an in-place, name-only transfer.

Reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1993, conducting bombardment training. It won the B-52 category of the 1995 Gunsmoke competition and participated in training exercises through the 1990s.

In September 2001 deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where it flew 88 combat missions before redeploying to Barskdale AFB in January 2002. It deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan again from May-September 2002. In March 2003 the 93d deployed to RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Between March and August 2003 the 93d flew more than 100 combat sorties and dropped over 1 million pounds of munitions. From January-March 2005 the squadron deployed to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam as part of an ongoing bomber rotation to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the Asian-Pacific region by the U.S. Pacific Command.

Lineage

  • Organized as 93 Aero Squadron on 21 Aug 1917
Demobilized on 31 Mar 1919
  • Reconstituted, and consolidated (14 Oct 1936) with 93 Bombardment Squadron which was constituted on 1 Mar 1935.
Activated on 20 Oct 1939
Redesignated: 93 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 6 Dec 1939
Redesignated: 93 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 28 Mar 1944
Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944
  • Activated on 1 Apr 1944
Redesignated: 93 Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 10 Aug 1948
Redesignated: 93 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 1 Jul 1961
Discontinued, and inactivated on: 1 Apr 1963; personnel/aircraft/equipment redesignated as 716th Bombardment Squadron
  • Redesignated 93 Bomb Squadron, and activated in the Reserve, on 1 Oct 1993.

Assignments

  • 3d Pursuit Group, by 28 Jul 1918
  • 1st Air Depot, 11 Dec 1918-4 Mar 1919
  • Unknown 13-31 Mar 1919
  • 19th Bombardment Group, 20 Oct 1939-1 Apr 1944; 1 Apr 1944
Ground echelon attached to V Interceptor Command, c. 19 Dec 1941-May 1942

Bases stationed

Aircraft Operated

Operations

See also

Sources of information

  1. ^ American Aces of World War I. p. 86.
  2. ^ http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/usa/93ps.php Retrieved on 22 June 2010.
  3. ^ American Aces of World War I. p. 79–80.

References

  • American Aces of World War I. Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1841763756, 9781841763750.
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