554th Fighter-Bomber Squadron

Last updated

554th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
F-86H Sabre in flight 1950s.jpg
F-86 Sabre as flown by the squadron
Active1942–1945; 1956–1957
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Role Fighter-bomber
Engagements European Theater of Operations
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
554th Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem [lower-alpha 1] [1] 554th Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png
World War II fuselage code [2] RU

The 554th Fighter-Bomber Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 386th Fighter-Bomber Group at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana, where it was inactivated on 8 July 1957.

Contents

The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 554th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it deployed to European Theater of Operations, where it participated in the campaign against Germany. It earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its missions flown in preparation for the invasion of France. It returned to the United States following V-E Day and was inactivated.

Active again from 1956 to 1957, the squadron flew North American F-86 Sabres at Bunker Hill.

History

World War II

The squadron was first activated at MacDill Field, Florida in December 1942 as the 554th Bombardment Squadron, one of the four original squadrons of the 386th Bombardment Group. After training at MacDill and Lake Charles Army Air Field, Louisiana with the Martin B-26 Marauder, it departed for the European Theater of Operations in early May 1943. [1] [3] The ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on 27 May, while the air echelon ferried their Marauders to Europe via both the North Atlantic and South Atlantic ferry routes. [4]

Squadron B-26 Marauder B-26B-35-MA Marauder 41-31984 554th BS 386th BG 1943.jpg
Squadron B-26 Marauder

Upon arrival in England, the squadron was stationed at RAF Snetterton Heath. However, Eighth Air Force had decided to transfer its B-26 units from VIII Bomber Command to VIII Air Support Command and move them to stations closer to the European continent, so a week after its arrival, the squadron moved to RAF Boxted. [5] This move also put the squadron's base in an area where it was planned to locate a future tactical air force. [6] The squadron's entry into combat was delayed by the fact that its training in the United States had concentrated on low level attacks, while Eighth Air Force had determined to use the Marauders in medium level attacks to avoid light flak. This required additional training. Although some diversionary missions were flown, the squadron did not fly its first combat mission, an attack on Woensdrecht Airfield, until 30 July. [7]

During its first month of combat the squadron concentrated on attacks on enemy air bases, although it also attacked gun positions and marshalling yards. In an effort to improve accuracy, the squadron participated in the 386th Group's first use of "drop on leader" tactics and revised formations in the European Theater on 2 September. [8] The following month, the squadron flew its last mission with Eighth Air Force on 8 October when it attacked an airfield near Lille. [3] [9]

Shortly after its transfer to Ninth Air Force, the squadron began participating in an extensive campaign against V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket sites in Operation Crossbow. During Big Week, the squadron attacked airfields in Belgium and the Netherlands to weaken enemy air defenses against the heavy bombers striking the German aircraft industry in Operation Pointblank. [10] In preparation for Operation Overlord, the invasion of the continent, it attacked airfields, marshalling yards and gun positions. In late May, just before the landings, it concentrated on bombing bridges across the Seine to interfere with possible enemy reinforcement of the landing areas. On D-Day it hit coastal defenses, and during the fighting in Normandy, struck fuel and supply depots, lines of communication and enemy positions. [3]

The squadron provided air support for Allied forces attacking Caen and on 25 July supported Operation Cobra, the breakout at Saint Lo. For its efforts against enemy opposition since entering combat the previous summer, the squadron was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation. During August, the squadron supported ground forces closing the Falaise gap to prevent surrounded German forces from escaping. September saw the squadron conducting attacks in the area of Brest. [3]

386th Bombardment Group A-26C 386bg-a26c.jpg
386th Bombardment Group A-26C

In October, the squadron moved to Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield, an advanced landing ground in France, to be closer to allied forces advancing through northern Europe. From its location on the continent, it attacked Metz, targets in the Netherlands, and depots and defended areas in Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, it concentrated on attacks on bridges. [3]

Shortly after the fighting in the Ardennes, the squadron was withdrawn from combat to convert from the Marauder to the Douglas A-26 Invader. It flew missions with its new plane from Sint-Truiden Airfield, Belgium through May 1945. [3] The squadron's last mission was on 3 May, an attack on the Stod Ammunition Plant in Czechoslovakia. [11] After V-E Day the squadron remained in Belgium until July, when it returned to the United States, inactivating at Westover Field, Massachusetts on 7 November 1945. [1] [3]

Tactical fighter operations

The squadron was redesignated the 554th Fighter-Bomber Squadron and activated at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana in April 1956, as Tactical Air Command (TAC) expanded its fighter complement there from one to two groups. [1] [12] The squadron initially equipped with the North American F-86 Sabre. Although the 386th Group began to receive North American F-100 Super Sabres in 1957, apparently, the squadron did not receive any of the new fighters [13] before the Air Force decided to use Bunker Hill as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) medium bomber base. The squadron began to phase down its activities in May 1957 and was inactivated in July 1957 along with its parent 386th Group in preparation for the transfer of the base from TAC to SAC. [1] [3] [14] [15]

Lineage

Activated on 1 December 1942
Redesignated 554th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 9 October 1944
Redesignated 554th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 23 June 1945
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Activated on 8 April 1956
Inactivated on 8 July 1957 [1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Streamer PUC Army.PNG Distinguished Unit Citation 30 July 1943-30 July 1944554th Bombardment Squadron [1]
Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Air Offensive, Europe3 June 1943–5 June 1944554th Bombardment Squadron [1]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Air Combat, EAME Theater3 June 1943–11 May 1945554th Bombardment Squadron [1]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Northern France25 July 1944–14 September 1944554th Bombardment Squadron [1]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Rhineland15 September 1944–21 March 1945554th Bombardment Squadron [1]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Ardennes-Alsace16 December 1944–25 January 1945554th Bombardment Squadron [1]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Central Europe22 March 1944–21 May 1945554th Bombardment Squadron [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">386th Air Expeditionary Wing</span> US Air Force provisional unit

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing (386 AEW) is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to United States Air Forces Central. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time. It is currently stationed at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait in Southwest Asia. During World War II, the group's predecessor unit, the 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) was a B-26 Marauder bombardment group assigned to the Eighth and later Ninth Air Force. During the Battle of Normandy, it supported Allied forces at Caen, and participated in the massive blows against the enemy at Saint-Lô on 25 July 1944. The unit knocked out targets to help clear the Falaise pocket of German forces in August 1944 and hit strong points at Brest during September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">322d Air Expeditionary Group</span> Military unit

The 322d Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">387th Air Expeditionary Group</span> Military unit

The 387th Air Expeditionary Group(387 AEG) is a provisional United States Air Force direct reporting unit at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait under United States Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT). As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time. In 2016, the groups mission was to provide support for base operations, coordination with host nation partners, and administration of the Joint Expeditionary Tasked individual augmentees in the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">312th Aeronautical Systems Group</span> Military unit

The 312th Aeronautical Systems Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last active in June 2010 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where it was a component of Air Force Materiel Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">555th Fighter Squadron</span> US fighter squadron

The 555th Fighter Squadron is part of the 31st Operations Group at Aviano Air Base, Italy. It operates General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting multirole air and ground missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">450th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 450th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the 322d Air Expeditionary Group. In 2008 it was converted to an expeditionary unit on provisional status for activation by Air Combat Command any time after 28 October 2008. Its current status is undetermined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">558th Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 558th Flying Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. The squadron trains Remotely Piloted Aircraft operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">563rd Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 563rd Flying Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was part of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where it operated the Boeing T-43 Bobcat conducting navigator training until inactivating on 19 November 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">386th Tactical Fighter Squadron</span> Military unit

The 386th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 312th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Cannon Air Force Base. New Mexico. It was inactivated on 18 February 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">448th Supply Chain Management Group</span> Inactive US Air Force unit

The 448th Supply Chain Management Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Texas, where it was inactivated on 30 June 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">553d Fighter-Bomber Squadron</span> Military unit

The 553d Fighter-Bomber Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 386th Fighter-Bomber Group at Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana, where it was inactivated on 8 July 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">552d Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 552d Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 552d Operations Group at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The squadron trains aircrew for airborne warning and control missions on the Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">451st Flying Training Squadron</span> Active United States Air Force unit

The 451st Flying Training Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its assigned to the 479th Flying Training Group, stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">454th Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 454th Flying Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 323d Flying Training Wing at Mather Air Force Base, California, where it was inactivated on 1 October 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">455th Flying Training Squadron</span> Military unit

The 455th Flying Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit of Air Education and Training Command. It was most recently activated at NAS Pensacola as part of the 479th Flying Training Group, where it trains Combat Systems Officers with the Raytheon T-6 Texan II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">720th Bombardment Squadron</span> Military unit

The 720th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 450th Bombardment Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, where it was inactivated on 25 July 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">575th Bombardment Squadron</span> Military unit

The 575th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The squadron was a World War II unit assigned to the 391st Bombardment Group. After training in the United States throughout 1943, the squadron moved to England, and from February 1944 participated in operations against Germany from there and the European Continent as part of IX Bomber Command. It earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat actions. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated at the port of embarkation in October 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">573d Bombardment Squadron</span> Military unit

The 573d Tactical Air Support Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was formed by the consolidation of two earlier units bearing the number 573, but has not been active since the consolidation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">572d Bombardment Squadron</span> Military unit

The 572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was formed by the consolidation of two earlier units bearing the number 572, but has not been active since the consolidation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">323d Expeditionary Operations Group</span> Military unit

The 323d Expeditionary Operations Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time.

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. Approved 2 April 1943. Description: On a disc gold, a black panther proper, crouched atop a rock formation in base in graduated shades of brown.
  2. Aircraft is Martin B-26B-35-MA Marauder, serial 41-31984, Good Buddie in 1943.
Citations
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, , pp. 656-657
  2. Rust, p. 211
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 273-274
  4. Freeman, p. 254
  5. Freeman, p, 50
  6. Freeman, p. 58
  7. Freeman, pp. 58-59
  8. Freeman, p. 60
  9. Freeman, p. 62
  10. Rust, p. 49
  11. Rust, p. 173
  12. Mueller, p. 213
  13. See Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 656 (list of aircraft operated).
  14. Mueller, p. 213
  15. Ravenstein, p. 175
  16. 1 2 3 Station number in Anderson.
  17. 1 2 Station number in Johnson.
  18. Station information in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 656-657, except as noted.

Bibliography

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency