301st Bombardment Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 301st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 4135th Strategic Wing. It was inactivated at Eglin Air Force Base
, Florida
on 1 February 1963.
Established in 1952 as an RB-36 Peacemaker strategic reconnaissance squadron. Conducted global strategic reconnaissance 1953-1955, gradually shifting to a bombardment training mission beginning in 1964. Re-equipped with standard B-36J strategic bombers, conducting worldwide training exercises and standing nuclear alert. In 1959 with the phaseout of the B-36, was reassigned to SAC provisional 4135th Strategic Wing, being re-equipped with B-52G Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers. Was reassigned to Eglin AFB, Florida
At Eglin, the squadron articipated in testing at Eglin for North American AGM-28 Hound Dog
supersonic, jet-powered, air-launched cruise missile. In July 1960, the Hound Dog reached initial operational capability with the 301st BS being first B-52 unit. In 1960, SAC developed procedures so that the B-52 could utilize the Hound Dog's J52 engine for additional thrust while the missile was located on the bomber's pylon. This helped heavily laden B-52s into the air. The Hound Dog could then be refueled from the B-52's wing fuel tanks.
One Hound Dog missile crashed near the town of Samson, Alabama when it failed to self-destruct after a test launch at Eglin AFB. In 1962, a Hound Dog was accidentally dropped to the ground during an under-wing check.
In May 1962, operation "Silk Hat" was conducted at Eglin AFB. During this exercise a Hound Dog test launch was conducted before an audience of international dignitaries headed by U.S. President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Vice President Lyndon B Johnson.
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 62d Bombardment Squadron
in an in-place, name-only transfer.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to the 4135th Strategic Wing. It was inactivated at Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
, 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...
on 1 February 1963.
History
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...
At Eglin, the squadron articipated in testing at Eglin for North American AGM-28 Hound Dog
AGM-28 Hound Dog
The North American Aviation Corporation AGM-28 Hound Dog was a supersonic, jet propelled, air-launched cruise missile. The Hound Dog missile was first given the designation B-77, then redesignated the GAM-77, and finally designated the AGM-28, permanently...
supersonic, jet-powered, air-launched cruise missile. In July 1960, the Hound Dog reached initial operational capability with the 301st BS being first B-52 unit. In 1960, SAC developed procedures so that the B-52 could utilize the Hound Dog's J52 engine for additional thrust while the missile was located on the bomber's pylon. This helped heavily laden B-52s into the air. The Hound Dog could then be refueled from the B-52's wing fuel tanks.
One Hound Dog missile crashed near the town of Samson, Alabama when it failed to self-destruct after a test launch at Eglin AFB. In 1962, a Hound Dog was accidentally dropped to the ground during an under-wing check.
In May 1962, operation "Silk Hat" was conducted at Eglin AFB. During this exercise a Hound Dog test launch was conducted before an audience of international dignitaries headed by U.S. President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Vice President Lyndon B Johnson.
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 62d Bombardment Squadron
62d Bombardment Squadron
The 62d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 2d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana on 1 September 1991.-History:...
in an in-place, name-only transfer.
Lineage
- Established as 301st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Heavy on 4 Jun 1952.
- Activated: on 16 Jun 1952
- Redesignated: 301st Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 1 Oct 1955
- Discontinued, and inactivated on 1 Feb 1963; personnel/aircraft/equipment transfered to the 62d Bombardment Squadron62d Bombardment SquadronThe 62d Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 2d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana on 1 September 1991.-History:...
Assignments
- 72d Strategic Reconnaissance (later Bombardment) Wing, 16 Jun 1952-17 Jun 1959 (not operational: 16 Jun-15 Mar 1953; 11 1958-17 Jun 1959)
- 4135th Strategic Wing, 17 Jun 1959-1 Feb 1963
Stations
- Ramey Air Force BaseRamey Air Force BaseRamey Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. In addition to a small on-site Air Force detachment, and occasional operations by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, a portion of the former Air Force Base is operated by the United States Coast Guard as Coast...
, Porto Rico, 16 Jun 1952 - Eglin AFB, 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...
, 17 Jun 1959-1 Feb 1963