128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron is a unit of the Georgia Air National Guard
that flies the E-8C Joint STARS. Its parent unit is the 116th Air Control Wing
.
The unit is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to February 1918. During World War II
, as the 840th Bombardment Squadron, it was one of the last B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber squadrons deployed to Southern Italy as part of the Fifteenth Air Force
483d Bombardment Group in March, 1944.
Reactivated after the war in the Georgia Air National Guard
, it has served continuously for over 60 years.
as the 840th Aero Squadron in February 1918. The 840th was a non-flying Air Service support unit, formed in Texas
. Deployed to England
in May 1918, then serving in the rear area behind the Western Front
in France
as an aircraft repair squadron beginning in August. Remained in France after the November 1918 Armistice, returning to Langley Field, Virginia
in March 1919 and was demobilized.
Re-established in 1940 at Atlanta Airport as a Georgia National Guard
Army observation squadron, equipped with numerous light observation aircraft of the 1930s era. Was activated to Federal Service in May 1941 as the United States mobilized prior to World War II
. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, was equipped with B-25 Mitchell
s and performed antisubmarine patrols over both the Southeast Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico
as part of Antisubmarine Command.
Realigned in late 1943 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment squadron, trained under Third Air Force
in Florida
. Was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
(MTO), being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force
in Southern Italy. Engaged in long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, industrial and transport targets, including oil refineries and production oilfields in Italy; France
; Southern Germany
; Austria
and the Balkans
. Continued strategic bombardment until German capitulation in May 1945.
After V-E Day, was assigned to Air Transport Command
Green Project which was the movement of troops from Pisa Airfield staging area in Morocco
. B-17s were dearmed with flooring and seats for 25 passengers installed. Crew consisted of Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Engineer. Carried passengers from Pisa to Port Lyautey Airfield, French Morocco
where ATC transports moved them across the Atlantic or to Dakar
for movement via South Atlantic Transport Route. Inactivated in Italy in September 1945.
Returned to Georgia Air National Guard
service in 1946, being assigned to Dobbins AFB in 1950 with F-51 Mustangs. Over the past 60 years has been a Fighter Squadron; Air Transport Squadron, B-1B Lancer bombardment squadron, and now operated the E-8C Joint Stars reconnaissance aircraft. Moved to Robins AFB in 1996.
Georgia Air National Guard
The Georgia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is, along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard...
that flies the E-8C Joint STARS. Its parent unit is the 116th Air Control Wing
116th Air Control Wing
The United States Air Force's 116th Air Control Wing is a joint active duty/Air National Guard air control wing located at Robins AFB, Georgia.-Mission:...
.
The unit is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to February 1918. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as the 840th Bombardment Squadron, it was one of the last B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber squadrons deployed to Southern Italy as part of the Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
483d Bombardment Group in March, 1944.
Reactivated after the war in the Georgia Air National Guard
Georgia Air National Guard
The Georgia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is, along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard...
, it has served continuously for over 60 years.
History
Established during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as the 840th Aero Squadron in February 1918. The 840th was a non-flying Air Service support unit, formed 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...
. Deployed to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in May 1918, then serving in the rear area behind the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
as an aircraft repair squadron beginning in August. Remained in France after the November 1918 Armistice, returning to Langley Field, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in March 1919 and was demobilized.
Re-established in 1940 at Atlanta Airport as a Georgia National Guard
Georgia National Guard
The Georgia National Guard is the National Guard of the U.S state of Georgia consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard...
Army observation squadron, equipped with numerous light observation aircraft of the 1930s era. Was activated to Federal Service in May 1941 as the United States mobilized prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, was equipped with B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
s and performed antisubmarine patrols over both the Southeast Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
as part of Antisubmarine Command.
Realigned in late 1943 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment squadron, trained under Third Air Force
Third Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
in 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...
. Was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
(MTO), being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
in Southern Italy. Engaged in long-range strategic bombardment of enemy military, industrial and transport targets, including oil refineries and production oilfields in Italy; France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
; Southern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
; Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
. Continued strategic bombardment until German capitulation in May 1945.
After V-E Day, was assigned to Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
Green Project which was the movement of troops from Pisa Airfield staging area in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. B-17s were dearmed with flooring and seats for 25 passengers installed. Crew consisted of Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Flight Engineer. Carried passengers from Pisa to Port Lyautey Airfield, French Morocco
French Morocco
French Protectorate of Morocco was a French protectorate in Morocco, established by the Treaty of Fez. French Morocco did not include the north of the country, which was a Spanish protectorate...
where ATC transports moved them across the Atlantic or to Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
for movement via South Atlantic Transport Route. Inactivated in Italy in September 1945.
Returned to Georgia Air National Guard
Georgia Air National Guard
The Georgia Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is, along with the Georgia Army National Guard, an element of the Georgia National Guard...
service in 1946, being assigned to Dobbins AFB in 1950 with F-51 Mustangs. Over the past 60 years has been a Fighter Squadron; Air Transport Squadron, B-1B Lancer bombardment squadron, and now operated the E-8C Joint Stars reconnaissance aircraft. Moved to Robins AFB in 1996.
Lineage
- Organized as 840th Aero Squadron on 1 Feb 1918
- Demobilized in Mar 1919
- Reconstituted and consolidated (1944) with 128th Observation Squadron
- Allocated to Georgia National Guard on 30 Ju1 1940
- Activated on 1 May 1941
- Ordered to active service on 15 Sept 1941
- Redesignated: 128th Observation Squadron (Light) on 13 Jan 1942
- Redesignated: 128th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
- Redesignated: 21st Antisubmarine Squadron (Medium) on 3 Mar 1943
- Redesignated: 21st Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) on 20 Apr 1943
- Redesignated: 818th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Sept 1943
- Redesignated: 840th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 15 Feb 1944
- Inactivated on 25 Sept 1945
- Redesignated 128th Fighter Squadron, and allotted to Georgia Air National Guard on 24 May 1946
- Activated on 9 Sept 1946
- Redesignated 128th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in 1950
- Redesignated: 128th Air Transport Squadron in 1961
- Redesignated: 128th Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1974
- Redesignated: 128th Fighter Squadron on 16 Mar 1992
- Redesignated: 128th Bomb Squadron on 1 Apr 1996
- Redesignated: 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron on 1 Oct 2002
- Designated as 128th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron when deployed to combat areas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom
Assignments
- Unknown 1 Feb-20 Aug 1918
- Number 3 Aircraft Depot, Independent Forces, RAF, attached 20 Aug 1918
- 2d Air Depot, AEF, 20 Nov 1918-29 Jan 1919
- Unknown, 29 Jan-Mar 1919
- Georgia National GuardGeorgia National GuardThe Georgia National Guard is the National Guard of the U.S state of Georgia consists of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Georgia Air National Guard...
, 1 May 1941 - II Air Support Command, 15 Sept 1941
- 71st Observation Group, 1 Oct 1941
- Third Air ForceThird Air ForceThe Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
, 26 Feb 1942 - 77th Observation Group, 12 Mar 1942
- Attached to: Gulf Task Force, 3 Jul-7 Sept 1942
- Attached to: Army Air Forces Antisubmarine CommandArmy Air Forces Antisubmarine CommandThe Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command was a direct reporting agency of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Its mission was to deal with the German Navy U-boat threat.-Lineage:...
, 15 Oct 1942-3 Mar 1943- Army Air Forces Antisubmarine CommandArmy Air Forces Antisubmarine CommandThe Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command was a direct reporting agency of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Its mission was to deal with the German Navy U-boat threat.-Lineage:...
, 8 Mar 1943 - 483d Bombardment Group, 28 Sept 1943-25 Sept 1945
- Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command
- Attached to Air Transport CommandAir Transport CommandAir Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
, 15 May-25 Sept 1945.- 116th Fighter Group, 9 Sept 1946
- 116th Fighter Bomber Wing, 1950
- 116th Air Transport Wing, 1961
- 116th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1974
- 116th Fighter Group, 16 Mar 1992
- 116th Bomb Wing, 1 Apr 1996
- 116th Air Control Wing116th Air Control WingThe United States Air Force's 116th Air Control Wing is a joint active duty/Air National Guard air control wing located at Robins AFB, Georgia.-Mission:...
, 1 Oct 2002
Stations
- Waco, 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...
, 1 Feb 1918; - Garden CityGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, 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...
, 4 Mar-15 Apr 1918; - Yate, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, 4 May-13 Aug 1918; - Courban, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, 20 Aug 1918 - Latrecey, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, 20 Nov 1918 - Brest, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, 1-11 Feb 1919 - Langley Field, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 4 Mar-Mar 1919 - Atlanta Municipal Airport, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 1 May 1941 - Lawson Field, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 23 Sep 1941
- Key FieldKey fieldA key field is a field or set of fields of a database table which together form a unique identifier for a database record . The aggregate of these fields is usually referred to simply as "the key". Key fields also define searches...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, 13 Apr 1942 - New Orleans Army Airbase, LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, 20 Jun 1942 - Gulfport Army Airfield, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, 2 May 1943 - Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, 28 Sep 1943
- MacDill Field, 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...
, 7 Nov 1943-2 Mar 1944 - Sterparone AirfieldSterparone AirfieldSterparone Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, which was located approximately 10 km south-southeast of Torre Maggiore on the Foggia plain; 130 km northeast of Naples....
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, 9 Apr 1944 - Pisa Airfield, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, 15 May-25 Sep 1945. - Dobbins ARB, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 9 Sep 1946 - Robins AFB, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 1 Apr 1996–Present
Aircraft Operated
- E-8C Joint STARS (2002–present)
- B-1B Lancer (1996–2002)
- F-15A/B Eagle (1986–1995)
- F-4D Phantom II (1983–1986)
- F-105G Thunderchief (1979–1983)
- F-100D Super Sabre (1973–1979)
- C-124C Globemaster II (1966–1973)
- C-97G Stratocruiser (196?-1966)
- C-97F Stratocruiser (1961-196?)
- F-86L Sabre (1960–1961)
- F-84F ThunderstreakF-84F ThunderstreakThe Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was an American-built swept-wing turbojet fighter-bomber. While an evolutionary development of the straight-wing F-84 Thunderjet, the F-84F was a new design. The RF-84F Thunderflash was a photo reconnaissance version....
(1955–1960) - F-84D Thunderjet (1952–1955)
- F-51 Mustang (1950–1952)
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943–1945
- B-25 MitchellB-25 MitchellThe North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
, 1943 - Various observation aircraft, 1941–1943
External links
- http://www.dm.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123069605