532d Training Squadron: Difference between revisions
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==Mission== |
==Mission== |
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The mission of the unit is to conduct training for the nation's space and |
The mission of the unit is to conduct training for the nation's space and [[Intercontinental Ballistic Missile]] (ICBM) operations and ICBM and Air Launched Missile (ALM) maintenance forces. It trains electronic, electro- and missile-mechanical, facility, and spacelift maintenance technicians. It also produces six career development courses in support of the maintenance and management of the nation’s ALCM, ICBM, and spacelift systems. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:532d Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png|thumb|125px|left|532d Bombardment Squadron emblem]] |
[[File:532d Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png|thumb|125px|left|532d Bombardment Squadron emblem]] |
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The 532d was constituted as the 532d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 28 October 1942, and then activated as a part of the 381st Bombardment Group, Heavy on 3 November 1942 at Gowen Field, |
The 532d was constituted as the '''532d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy''' on 28 October 1942, and then activated as a part of the 381st Bombardment Group, Heavy on 3 November 1942 at [[Gowen Field]], [[Idaho]] Soon after, the 532d trained under [[II Bomber Command]] and took station at [[Pyote Army Air Field]], [[Texas]] where the first two phases of unit training took place. The rest of the training was conducted at [[Pueblo Army Air Base]], [[Colorado]] and in the simulations throughout the country. Received deployment orders for the [[European Theater of Operations]] (ETO) in May 1943. |
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During the three years before its inactivation, the 532d Bombardment Squadron was part of the rapid buildup of the Army Air Forces in the European Theater of Operations. At that time, the Eighth Air Force and the Royal Air Force Bomber Command were engaged in a combined bomber offensive against strategic targets in Germany and |
During the three years before its inactivation, the 532d Bombardment Squadron was part of the rapid buildup of the Army Air Forces in the [[European Theater of Operations]] (ETO). At that time, the [[Eighth Air Force]] and the [[Royal Air Force]] [[Bomber Command ]]were engaged in a combined bomber offensive against strategic targets in [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Occupied Europe]]. Armed with [[B-17 Flying Fortress]]es, the 532d was a part of many bombardment raids. These included the campaigns in [[Normandy]], Northern [[France]], [[Rhineland]], Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. The 532d also bombed targets in support of the [[Battle of the Bulge]]. |
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After [[V-E Day]], the unit returned to [[Sioux Falls Army Air Field]], [[South Dakota]] in July 1945, although many combat personnel were demobilized upon return to the United States. A small cadre of personnel were formed with replacement personnel assigned. The unit was programmed for conversion to [[B-29 Superfortress]] very heavy bombers however no aircraft were assigned. The Japanese Capitulation in early August led to the units inactivation on 28 August, with personnel either reassigned to other units or demobilized. |
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Following the close of the war in Europe, the 533d Bombardment Squadron returned to the United States and took station in Sioux Falls Air Field, SD. The squadron was inactivated at Sioux Falls on 28 August 1945. |
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Effective 20 December 1946, the squadron was activated at Offutt Field, |
Effective 20 December 1946, the squadron was activated at [[Offutt Field]], [[Nebraska]]. Having been allotted to the organized reserves, with assignment to [[Second Air Force]], [[Air Defense Command]], it was redesigned as a very heavy bombardment unit on 27 December 1946. Late in September 1947, the squadron was assigned to the 381st Bombardment Group, Very Heavy. In July 1948, the group was reassigned from the Second Air Force to the [[Tenth Air Force]], which in December, became a part of the [[Continental Air Command]]. The 532d Squadron was inactivated at Offutt Air Force Base on 27 June 1949 due to budget restrictions. |
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Effective 29 November 1961, the unit was redesigned the 532d Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Titan), Strategic Air Command (SAC) and organized on 8 March 1962 as a part of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing. |
Effective 29 November 1961, the unit was redesigned the '''532d Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Titan)''', [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) and organized on 8 March 1962 as a part of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing. Operated 9 Titan II underground silos constructed beginning in 1960; the sites going operationally ready in October 1963. The 9 missile silos remained on alert for over 20 years during the [[Cold War]]. |
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In October 1981, President [[Ronald Reagan]] announced that as part of the strategic modernization program, Titan II systems were to be retired by October 1, 1987. Inactivation of the sites began in early 1985; the squadron being inactivated on 8 August 1986. |
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⚫ | Redesignated and activated on 30 September 1994 as the 532d Training Squadron, Air Education and Training Command (AETC), the 532nd serves Air Combat Command (ACC) and Air Force |
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After removal from service, the silos had reusable equipment removed by Air Force personnel, and contractors retrieved salvageable metals before destroying the silos with explosives and filling them in. Access to the vacated control centers was blocked off. Some of the properties were then sold; other sites are retained by the [[Bureau of Land Management]]. |
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⚫ | Redesignated and activated on 30 September 1994 as the '''532d Training Squadron''', [[Air Education and Training Command]] (AETC), the 532nd serves [[Air Combat Command]] (ACC) and [[Air Force Global Strike Command]] (AFSPC) by providing initial and advanced maintenance training in [[LGM-30 Minuteman|LGM-30G Minuteman III]], and [[AGM-86 ALCM]] air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) systems as well as spacelift maintenance training. |
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=== Lineage=== |
=== Lineage=== |
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* Constituted '''532d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)''' on 28 Oct 1942 |
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: Activated on 3 Nov 1942 |
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: Redesignated '''532d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy''', on 20 Aug 1943 |
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: Inactivated on 28 Aug 1945. |
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* Redesignated '''532d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy)''' on 20 Dec 1946 |
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: Activated in the reserve on 27 Feb 1947 |
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: Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. |
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* Redesignated '''532d Strategic Missile Squadron''', and activated, on 26 Feb 1962 |
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: Organized on 1 Aug 1962 |
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: Inactivated on 8 August 1986 |
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* Redesignated as '''532d Training Squadron''' and reactivated on 1 April 1994 |
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===Assignments=== |
===Assignments=== |
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* [[381st Bombardment Group]], 3 Nov 1942-28 Aug 1945; 15 Sep 1947-27 Jun 1949 |
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* [[Strategic Air Command]], 26 Feb 1962 |
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* [[381st Strategic Missile Wing]], 1 Aug 1962-8 Aug 1986 |
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* [[381st Training Group]], 1 Apr 1994-Present |
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===Stations=== |
===Stations=== |
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* [[Gowen Field]], [[Idaho]], 3 Nov 1942 |
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* [[Ephrata Army Air Base]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], 1 Dec 1942 |
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* [[Pyote Army Air Field]], [[Texas]], 27 Dec 1942 |
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* [[Pueblo Army Air Base]], [[Colorado]], 6 Apr-10 May 1943 |
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* [[RAF Ridgewell]] (AAF-167), [[England]], 2 Jun 1943-24 Jun 1945 |
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* [[Sioux Falls Army Air Field]], [[South Dakota]], 3 Jul-28 Aug 1945 |
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* [[Offutt Field]], [[Nebraska]], 27 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949 |
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* [[McConnell AFB]], [[Kansas]], 1 Aug 1962-8 Aug 1986 |
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* [[Vandenburg AFB]], [[California]], 1 Apr 1994-Present |
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===Aircraft=== |
===Aircraft=== |
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* [[B-17 Flying Fortress]], 1942-1945 |
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* [[B-29 Superfortress]], 1947-1949 |
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* [[LGM-25C Titan II]] Missile, 1962–1986 |
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: Operated nine missile sites: |
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:: 532-1, 2.0 mi NNW of Rome, KS {{Coord|37|11|04|N|097|24|30|W|}} |
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== References== |
== References== |
Revision as of 12:10, 14 August 2010
532d Training Squadron | |
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Active | 1942-1945; 1962-1986; 1994-Present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | ICBM Training |
The 532d Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 381st Training Group, stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Mission
The mission of the unit is to conduct training for the nation's space and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) operations and ICBM and Air Launched Missile (ALM) maintenance forces. It trains electronic, electro- and missile-mechanical, facility, and spacelift maintenance technicians. It also produces six career development courses in support of the maintenance and management of the nation’s ALCM, ICBM, and spacelift systems.
History
The 532d was constituted as the 532d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 28 October 1942, and then activated as a part of the 381st Bombardment Group, Heavy on 3 November 1942 at Gowen Field, Idaho Soon after, the 532d trained under II Bomber Command and took station at Pyote Army Air Field, Texas where the first two phases of unit training took place. The rest of the training was conducted at Pueblo Army Air Base, Colorado and in the simulations throughout the country. Received deployment orders for the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in May 1943.
During the three years before its inactivation, the 532d Bombardment Squadron was part of the rapid buildup of the Army Air Forces in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). At that time, the Eighth Air Force and the Royal Air Force Bomber Command were engaged in a combined bomber offensive against strategic targets in Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe. Armed with B-17 Flying Fortresses, the 532d was a part of many bombardment raids. These included the campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. The 532d also bombed targets in support of the Battle of the Bulge.
After V-E Day, the unit returned to Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota in July 1945, although many combat personnel were demobilized upon return to the United States. A small cadre of personnel were formed with replacement personnel assigned. The unit was programmed for conversion to B-29 Superfortress very heavy bombers however no aircraft were assigned. The Japanese Capitulation in early August led to the units inactivation on 28 August, with personnel either reassigned to other units or demobilized.
Effective 20 December 1946, the squadron was activated at Offutt Field, Nebraska. Having been allotted to the organized reserves, with assignment to Second Air Force, Air Defense Command, it was redesigned as a very heavy bombardment unit on 27 December 1946. Late in September 1947, the squadron was assigned to the 381st Bombardment Group, Very Heavy. In July 1948, the group was reassigned from the Second Air Force to the Tenth Air Force, which in December, became a part of the Continental Air Command. The 532d Squadron was inactivated at Offutt Air Force Base on 27 June 1949 due to budget restrictions.
Effective 29 November 1961, the unit was redesigned the 532d Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Titan), Strategic Air Command (SAC) and organized on 8 March 1962 as a part of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing. Operated 9 Titan II underground silos constructed beginning in 1960; the sites going operationally ready in October 1963. The 9 missile silos remained on alert for over 20 years during the Cold War.
In October 1981, President Ronald Reagan announced that as part of the strategic modernization program, Titan II systems were to be retired by October 1, 1987. Inactivation of the sites began in early 1985; the squadron being inactivated on 8 August 1986.
After removal from service, the silos had reusable equipment removed by Air Force personnel, and contractors retrieved salvageable metals before destroying the silos with explosives and filling them in. Access to the vacated control centers was blocked off. Some of the properties were then sold; other sites are retained by the Bureau of Land Management.
Redesignated and activated on 30 September 1994 as the 532d Training Squadron, Air Education and Training Command (AETC), the 532nd serves Air Combat Command (ACC) and Air Force Global Strike Command (AFSPC) by providing initial and advanced maintenance training in LGM-30G Minuteman III, and AGM-86 ALCM air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) systems as well as spacelift maintenance training.
Lineage
- Constituted 532d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Oct 1942
- Activated on 3 Nov 1942
- Redesignated 532d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 20 Aug 1943
- Inactivated on 28 Aug 1945.
- Redesignated 532d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 20 Dec 1946
- Activated in the reserve on 27 Feb 1947
- Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.
- Redesignated 532d Strategic Missile Squadron, and activated, on 26 Feb 1962
- Organized on 1 Aug 1962
- Inactivated on 8 August 1986
- Redesignated as 532d Training Squadron and reactivated on 1 April 1994
Assignments
- 381st Bombardment Group, 3 Nov 1942-28 Aug 1945; 15 Sep 1947-27 Jun 1949
- Strategic Air Command, 26 Feb 1962
- 381st Strategic Missile Wing, 1 Aug 1962-8 Aug 1986
- 381st Training Group, 1 Apr 1994-Present
Stations
- Gowen Field, Idaho, 3 Nov 1942
- Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, 1 Dec 1942
- Pyote Army Air Field, Texas, 27 Dec 1942
- Pueblo Army Air Base, Colorado, 6 Apr-10 May 1943
- RAF Ridgewell (AAF-167), England, 2 Jun 1943-24 Jun 1945
- Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota, 3 Jul-28 Aug 1945
- Offutt Field, Nebraska, 27 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949
- McConnell AFB, Kansas, 1 Aug 1962-8 Aug 1986
- Vandenburg AFB, California, 1 Apr 1994-Present
Aircraft
- B-17 Flying Fortress, 1942-1945
- B-29 Superfortress, 1947-1949
- LGM-25C Titan II Missile, 1962–1986
- Operated nine missile sites:
- 532-1, 2.0 mi NNW of Rome, KS 37°11′04″N 097°24′30″W / 37.18444°N 97.40833°W
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN: 0892010975