303rd Air Refueling Squadron: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m WPCleaner (v1.09) Repaired link to disambiguation page - (You can help) - Pacific Theater
Bwmoll3 (talk | contribs)
137,292 edits
edited and expanded
Line 26: Line 26:
}}
}}
The '''303d Air Refueling Squadron''' is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit. It was last assigned to the [[19th Bombardment Wing]], stationed at [[Homestead AFB]], [[Florida]]. It was inactivated on 31 April 1961
The '''303d Air Refueling Squadron''' is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit. It was last assigned to the [[19th Bombardment Wing]], stationed at [[Homestead AFB]], [[Florida]]. It was inactivated on 31 April 1961

⚫
The squadron performed air refueling in support of USAF operations on a worldwide basis, being established in 1951. Inactivated in 1962 with the phaseout of the propeller-driven KC-97 from SAC.


In 1985, the [[Air Force Historical Research Agency]] consolidated the lineage of the unit with the 483d Bombardment Squadron. The 483d Bomb Squadron flew [[B-29 Superfortress]] aircraft in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]] of [[World War II]]. It was last assigned to the [[505th Bombardment Group]]. It was inactivated at [[Clark Field]], Philippines on 10 June 1946.
In 1985, the [[Air Force Historical Research Agency]] consolidated the lineage of the unit with the 483d Bombardment Squadron. The 483d Bomb Squadron flew [[B-29 Superfortress]] aircraft in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]] of [[World War II]]. It was last assigned to the [[505th Bombardment Group]]. It was inactivated at [[Clark Field]], Philippines on 10 June 1946.
Line 34: Line 32:
The 303d Transport Squadron operated [[C-47 Skytrain]] and C-16 [[Commando]] transports in the [[China-Burma-India]] theater for [[Air Transport Command]] in 1943. It flew supplies, equipment and personnel over "[[the Hump]]" from the [[Assam Valley]] of [[British India]] to airfields in Southeast [[China]] in support of [[Fourteenth Air Force]] combat operations. It was a short-lived organization, activated in June and inactivated in December 1943.
The 303d Transport Squadron operated [[C-47 Skytrain]] and C-16 [[Commando]] transports in the [[China-Burma-India]] theater for [[Air Transport Command]] in 1943. It flew supplies, equipment and personnel over "[[the Hump]]" from the [[Assam Valley]] of [[British India]] to airfields in Southeast [[China]] in support of [[Fourteenth Air Force]] combat operations. It was a short-lived organization, activated in June and inactivated in December 1943.


===B-29 Superfortress operations against Japan===
The 483d Bombardment Squadron was activated in early 1944 as a [[B-29 Superfortress]] Very Heavy bomber squadron and assigned to [[Second Air Force]] for [[B-29 Superfortress]] conversion training. Deployed to [[Pacific Theater of Operations]] (PTO), being assigned to [[XXI Bomber Command]] in the [[Northern Mariana Islands]]; assigned to [[North Field (Tinian)|North Field]], Tinian, Mariana Islands.
Re-Activated in March 1944 as a [[B-29 Superfortress]] Very Heavy bombardment squadron. When training was completed moved to [[North Field (Tinian)|North Field]] Tinian in the Mariana Islands of the Central Pacific Area in January 1945 and assigned to [[XXI Bomber Command]], [[Twentieth Air Force]]. It's mission was the strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands and the destruction of its war-making capability.

Flew "shakedown" missions against Japanese targets on [[Moen (island)|Moen]] Island, [[Truk]], and other points in the [[Carolines]] and [[Marianas]]. The squadron began combat missions over Japan on 25 February 1945 with a firebombing mission over Northeast Tokyo. The squadron continued to participate in wide area firebombing attack, but the first ten day blitz resulting in the Army Air Forces running out of incendiary bombs. Until then the squadron flew conventional strategic bombing missions using high explosive bombs.

The squadron continued attacking urban areas with incendiary raids until the end of the war in August 1945, attacking major Japanese cities, causing massive destruction of urbanized areas. Also conducted raids against strategic objectives, bombing aircraft factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, and other targets in Japan. The squadron flew its last combat missions on 14 August when hostilities ended. Afterwards, its B 29s carried relief supplies to Allied prisoner of war camps in Japan and [[Manchuria]]

Squadron was largely de-mobilized on Tinian during the fall of 1945. Remained in Western Pacific, assigned to Twentieth Air Force. Moved to Clark Field to the [[Philippines]] in March 1946. Inactivated at Clark Field on Luzon on June 15, 1946; its low-hour aircraft flown to storage depots in the United States.


===Strategic Air Command===
Flew very long range strategic bombardment missions over the [[Japanese Home Islands]], attacking military, industrial and transportation targets. Switched to night incendiary raids attacking major Japanese cities in the spring of 1945, causing massive destruction of urbanized areas. Continued strategic bombing raids and incendiary attacks until Japanese Capitulation in August 1945. Remained in the Mariana Islands until the spring of 1946, inactivated the [[Philippines]] in June.
⚫
Reactivated in 1951 as an Air Refueling Squadron, performing air refueling in support of SAC and USAF operations on a worldwide basis, being established in 1951. Inactivated in 1962 with the phaseout of the propeller-driven KC-97 from SAC.


===Lineage===
===Lineage===

Revision as of 18:29, 8 March 2012

303d Air Refueling Squadron
Emblem of the 303d Air Refueling Squadron
Active1951-1961
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeAir Refueling
RoleAerial Refueling

The 303d Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 19th Bombardment Wing, stationed at Homestead AFB, Florida. It was inactivated on 31 April 1961

In 1985, the Air Force Historical Research Agency consolidated the lineage of the unit with the 483d Bombardment Squadron. The 483d Bomb Squadron flew B-29 Superfortress aircraft in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was last assigned to the 505th Bombardment Group. It was inactivated at Clark Field, Philippines on 10 June 1946.

History

The 303d Transport Squadron operated C-47 Skytrain and C-16 Commando transports in the China-Burma-India theater for Air Transport Command in 1943. It flew supplies, equipment and personnel over "the Hump" from the Assam Valley of British India to airfields in Southeast China in support of Fourteenth Air Force combat operations. It was a short-lived organization, activated in June and inactivated in December 1943.

B-29 Superfortress operations against Japan

Re-Activated in March 1944 as a B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy bombardment squadron. When training was completed moved to North Field Tinian in the Mariana Islands of the Central Pacific Area in January 1945 and assigned to XXI Bomber Command, Twentieth Air Force. It's mission was the strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands and the destruction of its war-making capability.

Flew "shakedown" missions against Japanese targets on Moen Island, Truk, and other points in the Carolines and Marianas. The squadron began combat missions over Japan on 25 February 1945 with a firebombing mission over Northeast Tokyo. The squadron continued to participate in wide area firebombing attack, but the first ten day blitz resulting in the Army Air Forces running out of incendiary bombs. Until then the squadron flew conventional strategic bombing missions using high explosive bombs.

The squadron continued attacking urban areas with incendiary raids until the end of the war in August 1945, attacking major Japanese cities, causing massive destruction of urbanized areas. Also conducted raids against strategic objectives, bombing aircraft factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, and other targets in Japan. The squadron flew its last combat missions on 14 August when hostilities ended. Afterwards, its B 29s carried relief supplies to Allied prisoner of war camps in Japan and Manchuria

Squadron was largely de-mobilized on Tinian during the fall of 1945. Remained in Western Pacific, assigned to Twentieth Air Force. Moved to Clark Field to the Philippines in March 1946. Inactivated at Clark Field on Luzon on June 15, 1946; its low-hour aircraft flown to storage depots in the United States.

Strategic Air Command

Reactivated in 1951 as an Air Refueling Squadron, performing air refueling in support of SAC and USAF operations on a worldwide basis, being established in 1951. Inactivated in 1962 with the phaseout of the propeller-driven KC-97 from SAC.

Lineage

  • Constituted as 303d Transport Squadron, c. 4 June 1943
Activated 21 June 1943
Disbanded 1 December 1943
  • Constituted 483d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 28 Feb 1944
Activated on 11 Mar 1944
Inactivated on 30 Jun 1946
  • Established as 303d Air Refueling Squadron, 4 April 1951
Inactivated 8 April 1952
  • Re-activated 18 February 1953
Inactivated on 15 July 1959
  • Re-activated on 1 November 1959
Inactivated on 15 Jun 1963
  • Reconstituted 19 September 1985 and consolidated with 483d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) and 303d Air Refueling Squadron, Medium as 303d Air Refueling Squadron (remained inactive)

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

Public Domain 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 0-89201-097-5

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=303rd_Air_Refueling_Squadron&oldid=480871204"