415th Bombardment Group

415th Bombardment Group (later 415th Tactical Missile Wing)
Active	1943–1944
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	light bomber training and operational testing
Engagements	American Theater of World War II

The 415th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit that served primarily as a training and demonstration unit. It was last part of Second Air Force, at Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, where it was disbanded on 5 April 1944. In July 1985, the group was reconstituted as the 415th Tactical Missile Wing, but has not been active as a missile unit.

History

The 415th Bombardment Group was activated during World War II as a Third Air Force training and demonstration unit as part of the Army Air Force School of Applied Tactics. It was equipped with A-20s, A-24s, A-26s, B-25s, and P-39s. The group was reassigned to Second Air Force in early 1944 as a B-17 Flying Fortress replacement training unit. It was inactivated in early 1944 when the need for B-17 aircrews diminished. ^[1]

The 415th was reconstituted in inactive status as the 415th Tactical Missile Wing on 31 July 1985. ^[2]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 415th Bombardment Group (Light) on 12 February 1943

Activated on 15 February 1943

Disbanded on 5 April 1944 ^[3]

• Reconstituted as the 415th Tactical Missile Wing on 31 July 1985 ^[2]

Assignments

• Army Air Force School of Applied Tactics, 15 February 1943 ^[1]
• II Bomber Command, 19 March–5 April 1944^{[ citation needed ]}

Components

• 465th Bombardment Squadron: 23 March 1943 – 5 April 1944
• 521st Fighter-Bomber (formerly 667th) Bombardment Squadron: 15 February 1943 – 5 April 1944 ^[1]

Stations

• Alachua Army Airfield, Florida, 15 February 1943
• Orlando Army Air Base, Florida, 25 February 1944
• Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, 19 March–5 April 1944 ^[1]

References

Notes

1. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 299
2. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations
3. Lineage through 1944 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 299.

Bibliography

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

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.