61st Bombardment Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 61st Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 70th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base
, Arkansas
, and was inactivated on 25 June 1962.
, Utah
; assigned to the GHQ Air Force Northwest Air District at Geiger Field, Washington where the squadron flew training missions and also reconnaissance missions along the Northwest Pacific Coast. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, became first an Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona
, later converting to a B-24 Liberator
Replacement Training Unit (RTU).
Inactivated in April 1944 with the phaseout of heavy bomber training, reactivated and redesignated as a B-29 Superfortress
Very Heavy bomb squadron and reassigned to Kansas for training on the B-29. Received new aircraft from the Boeing
factory in Wichita
, and prepared for overseas deployment. In early 1945 the squadron deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations
(PTO) and was assigned to the XXI Bomber Command
, Twentieth Air Force
on Guam
. Conducted very long range strategic bombardment raids over Japan beginning in April 1945, bombing military and industrial targets over the Japanese Home Islands and participated in incendiary raids on urban areas until the Japanese Capitulation in August. Also supported the Allied invasion of Okinawa by attacking airfields that served as bases for kamikaze pilots. Returned to the United States, November–December 1945 for inactivation.
Reactivated in 1947 in the reserve at Hamilton Field
, California
, but it is unclear whether or not the unit had any assigned aircraft of personnel. It was inactivated in 1949 due to budgetary reductions.
Reactivated under Strategic Air Command
in 1955 as an RB-47 Stratojet squadron flying strategic reconnaissance missions to meet SAC's global reconnaissance commitments from October 1955–1962, but on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB-47 and the development of the U-2 aircraft. Converted to standard B-47 medium bombers in late 1961 but inactivated in 1962 prior to becoming combat ready.
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 70th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base
Little Rock Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas.-Overview:...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, and was inactivated on 25 June 1962.
History
Established in November 1940 as a B-17 Flying Fortress Heavy Bombardment squadron organized at Fort DouglasFort Douglas, Utah
Camp Douglas was established in October 1862 as a small military garrison about three miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the purpose of protecting the overland mail route and telegraph lines along the Central Overland Route. In 1878, the post was renamed Fort Douglas. The fort was officially...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
; assigned to the GHQ Air Force Northwest Air District at Geiger Field, Washington where the squadron flew training missions and also reconnaissance missions along the Northwest Pacific Coast. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, became first an Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, later converting to a B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
Replacement Training Unit (RTU).
Inactivated in April 1944 with the phaseout of heavy bomber training, reactivated and redesignated as a B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
Very Heavy bomb squadron and reassigned to Kansas for training on the B-29. Received new aircraft from the Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
factory in Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, and prepared for overseas deployment. In early 1945 the squadron deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
(PTO) and was assigned to the XXI Bomber Command
XXI Bomber Command
The XXI Bomber Command was a unit of the Twentieth Air Force in Guam for strategic bombing during World War II.- Lineage:* Constituted as XXI Bomber Command on 1 Mar 1944, and activated the same day.-Assignments:...
, Twentieth Air Force
Twentieth Air Force
The Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. Conducted very long range strategic bombardment raids over Japan beginning in April 1945, bombing military and industrial targets over the Japanese Home Islands and participated in incendiary raids on urban areas until the Japanese Capitulation in August. Also supported the Allied invasion of Okinawa by attacking airfields that served as bases for kamikaze pilots. Returned to the United States, November–December 1945 for inactivation.
Reactivated in 1947 in the reserve at Hamilton Field
Hamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, but it is unclear whether or not the unit had any assigned aircraft of personnel. It was inactivated in 1949 due to budgetary reductions.
Reactivated under Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
in 1955 as an RB-47 Stratojet squadron flying strategic reconnaissance missions to meet SAC's global reconnaissance commitments from October 1955–1962, but on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB-47 and the development of the U-2 aircraft. Converted to standard B-47 medium bombers in late 1961 but inactivated in 1962 prior to becoming combat ready.
Lineage
- Constituted 61st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940
- Activated on 15 Jan 1941
- Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944
- Redesignated 61st Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) and activated on 1 Apr 1944
- Inactivated on 27 Dec 1945
- Redesignated 61st Reconnaissance Squadron and reactivated on 26 Apr 1947
- Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949
- Redesignated 61st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and reactivated on 24 Jan 1955
- Redesignated 61st Bombardment Squadron on 25 Oct 1961
- Inactivated on 25 June 1962
Assignments
- 39th Bombardment Group, 15 Jan 1941-1 Apr 1944; 1 Apr 1944-27 Dec 1945
- 70th Reconnaissance Group, 26 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949
- 70th Strategic Reconnaissance (later Bombardment) Wing, 24 Jan 1955-25 Jun 1962
Stations
- Fort DouglasFort Douglas, UtahCamp Douglas was established in October 1862 as a small military garrison about three miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the purpose of protecting the overland mail route and telegraph lines along the Central Overland Route. In 1878, the post was renamed Fort Douglas. The fort was officially...
, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, 15 Jan 1941 - Geiger Field, Washington, 2 Jul 1941
- Davis-Monthan Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, 5 Feb 1942-1 Apr 1944 - Smoky Hill Army Airfield, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, 1 Apr 1944 - Dalhart Army Air Field, 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...
, 27 May 1944 - Smoky Hill Army Airfield, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, 17 Ju1 1944-8 Jan 1945 - North Field, GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Northern Mariana IslandsNorthern Mariana IslandsThe Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines...
, 18 Feb-16 Nov 1945 - Camp AnzaCamp AnzaCamp Anza was a United States Army installation near Riverside, California during World War II. Construction began on July 3, 1942, and was completed on February 15, 1943....
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 15-27 Dec 1945 - Hill AFB, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, 26 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949 - Little Rock AFB, ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, 24 Jan 1955-25 Jun 1962
Aircraft
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1941-1942
- B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
, 1942-1944 - B-29 SuperfortressB-29 SuperfortressThe B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
, 1944-1945 - RB-47 Stratojet, 1955-1961
- B-47 StratojetB-47 StratojetThe Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
, 1961-1962