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===World War II===
===World War II===
During the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, 5 of the B-17Ds were destroyed, and the rest were damaged. Most of the B-18s were destroyed on the ground in the initial Japanese onslaught. The ones that remained played no significant role in subsequent operations. The 38th Reconnaissance Squadron arrived at [[Oahu]] at the height of the attack (radar operators mistakenly thought that the Japanese attack force was this flight arriving from California). Some of the planes managed to land at the short [[Haleiwa Fighter Strip]], one set down on a golf course, and the remainder landed at Hickam under the strafing of Japanese planes.<ref name="BaugherPacific"/>


In the aftermath of the attack the planes that could be repaired were put back on the line, and were reinforced by the wider-tailed B-17E that had a tail gunner position. For the balance of 1942, the 31st remained in Hawaii, its aircraft flying long range reconnaissance missions from [[Kipapa Airfield]] and [[Kualoa Airfield]], as Hickam was taken off of operational status, being repaired from its battle damage and also becoming an [[Air Transport Command]] way-station, and the establishment of the Hawaiian Air Depot as a modification center for [[Air Technical Service Command]], preparing planes for operation in the Pacific Theater with necessary modifications prior to their deployment to the combat areas.<ref name="B17Pacific">Bowman, Martin and Styling, Mark, B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Pacific War, Osprey Publishing; First Edition edition (April 20, 2003), ISBN: 1841764817</ref><ref name="AFHRA"/><ref>Mueller, Robert, Air Force Bases Volume I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982, Office of Air Force History, 1989</ref>


In June 1942, during the Japanese threat to Hawaii with its [[Battle of Midway|Midway Island attack]], the 31st was used for high-altitude bombing attacks against the Japanese carrier strike fleet. However, it was learned that the B-17 was not suitable for attacks against moving ships. None of the bombs dropped by the bombers actually hit a single Japanese ship. An attack against naval vessels at sea was found to be a job best done by low-altitude medium bombers or by dive bombers. <ref name="B17Pacific"/>


On 1 April 1931, the redesignated '''31st Bombardment Squadron''' was activated at [[March Field]], California. The 31st left for [[Hickam Field]], Hawaii, on 1 February 1938, becoming the first bombardment unit to be based there.<ref name="31b" /> On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked [[Pearl Harbor]] and Hickam Field, and all of the squadron's [[B-18 Bolo]] [[bomber]] aircraft were either damaged or destroyed.<ref name="fb111a" /> Refitted with [[B-17]] [[heavy bomber]]s, the squadron was assigned to the [[7th Air Force]] and relocated to [[Kipapa Gulch]], [[Oahu]]. During the course of [[World War II]], the 31st took part in numerous battles in the [[Pacific War|Pacific campaign]], including the [[Battle of Midway]], the [[Solomon Islands campaign]], the [[Bougainville Campaign]], the [[New Guinea Campaign]], [[Operation Hailstone]], the [[Philippines Campaign (1944–45)|Philippines Campaign]], and the [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Borneo Campaign]].<ref name="31b" />
During the course of [[World War II]], the 31st took part in numerous battles in the [[Pacific War|Pacific campaign]], including the [[Battle of Midway]], the [[Solomon Islands campaign]], the [[Bougainville Campaign]], the [[New Guinea Campaign]], [[Operation Hailstone]], the [[Philippines Campaign (1944–45)|Philippines Campaign]], and the [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Borneo Campaign]].<ref name="31b" />


===Korean War===
===Korean War===

Revision as of 11:54, 29 July 2013

31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
31st Test and Evaluation Squadron Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II 09-5006. This aircraft was assigned to the squadron in March, 2013 for Operational Testing in how to best operate the aircraft in a combat environment.
Active26 June 1917 – 24 March 1923
1 April 1931 – February 1963
1 July 1986  – present
Country United States
BranchUnited States Air Force
Part of53d Test and Evaluation Group, 53d Wing, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQEdwards AFB, CA
Motto(s)Glory on the field of battle,
Courage before every danger,
Fidelity to our nation and flag,
And Honor before all men
EngagementsWorld War I
World War II: Pearl Harbor, Midway, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Rabaul, Operation Hailstone, Noemfoor, Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Borneo
Korean War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Carl Spaatz
Insignia
31st Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (31 TES) is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 53d Test and Evaluation Group, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The 31 TES is an Air Combat Command (ACC) tenant unit at Edwards, providing personnel to support combined test and evaluation on Air Force weapons systems.

Overview

The squadron provides Air Combat Command personnel to support combined test and evaluation on Air Force weapons systems. The unit also provides the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, and Air Force Materiel Command. with elite test team members who have an operational perspective to perform test and evaluation on Combat Air Force systems. [1]

The 31st TES is one of the oldest squadrons in the Air Force, its origins dating to 13 June 1917. Over this time, members of the squadron took part in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.[2]

History

World War I

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron traces its history to the organization of the 31st Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, on 26 June 1917, shortly after the United States' entry into World War I.[3] The first commander of the squadron was 1st Lieutenant John E. Rossel.[4] It received personnel from First Company, B Provisional Battalion.[5] About the first of July, orders were received to equip the squadron for overseas duty. The entire month of July was spent in drill and preparation for foreign service.[3] Captain Carl Spaatz, who would later go on to become the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.[6][5] was placed in command on 13 July, bringing with him several men of previous military experience, who added much to the efficiency of the organization.[3]

Across the Atlantic

The squadron left Kelly field on 11 August for Fort Trotten New York, and after waiting transportation, the 31st was transported on 22 August to the Port of Entry, Hoboken, New Jersey, and were boarded on the RMS Baltic. The next day, they left Pier 59, en-route to Halifax, Nova Scotia where the ship anchored awaiting for a convoy. Finally, on 5 September, the convoy was formed and the trans-Atlantic journey began. [3]

On the night of 14 September, two red rockets were fired from an accompanying destroyer that had spotted a submarine periscope. The destroyer dropped depth charges on the submarine, and the Baltic made a sudden turn to port, that caused both men and anything loose aboard the ship to move. Suddenly a large explosion was heard and five long blasts were made by the ship's whistle and everyone on board was ordered to report to their assigned lifeboats. The Baltic's captain announced that a torpedo had struck the ship, but it had only made a glancing blow on the bow; that the emergency pumps were working and there was no danger. The next day, the Baltic arrived in Liverpool, England, and the men immediately boarded the train for Southampton, arriving at 1:00am on 15 September.[3]

3d Air Instructional Center

At Southampton, 50 of the men were detached from the squadron and were sent to various Royal Flying Corps schools to undergo training in machine gunnery and airplane construction. These schools were at Grantham, Uphaven, Lincoln and Reading, England. The remainder of the squadron proceeded to France, arriving in Le Harve on the 19th, and from there boarded a troop train to the First Army Air service Mechanics Regiment at Etampes. There, the squadron was divided into three detachments. Two were assigned to the Training Section of the AEF, being sent to French aircraft mechanics schools at Paris and Lyons. The third detachment was ordered to proceed to the 3d Air Instructional Center at Issodun Aerodrome.[3]

Initially, the men of the squadron at Issodun were engaged in construction projects, such as putting up new buildings, hangars and other necessities to make the 3d AIC operational. The squadron was recombined at Issodun Aerodrome just after Christmas Day, 1917. The men had been thoroughly trained in aircraft assembly, engine maintenance and the other skills needed for them to do their work at the 3d AIC. The men from England arrived on 14 January, and they had become instructors in pistol, rifle, and machine-gunnery. The duties of the squadron became the maintence of the training aircraft, primarily French Nieuports at the school, which had been set up by the Training Section, AEF to train American pursuit pilots prior to them being sent into combat at the Front.[3]

The 31st Aero Squadron was assigned to the care and upkeep of Nieuport 15-meter aircraft (Nieuport 17, 17bis, 21, 23, 24, 24bis, and 27s) at Field #5, which was used for taxiing, taking off, and landing and wing slips. It was at Issodun that the squadron emblem, still in use today, was designed. In their off-hours, the men engaged in sports such as Boxing and Football. Athletics was an important part of the duty at Issodun, giving the squadron, which was widely divided around the station, an esprit-de-corps and helped build morale. In addition to the aircraft work, squadron members were also engaged in expanding the 3d AIC as necessary, erecting additional buildings and aircraft hangars as new airfields were required as training was expanded with additional pilots and aircraft.[3]

During the month of September 1918, training was especially intense as new pilots, to be assigned to the new Second Army Air Service, began to arrive for instruction. By the time of the Armistice on 11 November, the men of the squadron held responsible positions in many of the support areas of the 3d AIC. Although they did not enter combat, the men provided the means to train the pilots who went to the front and gave them the best of training so they might accomplish their work. [3]

Demobilization

The 31st remained at Issodun until the end of December, 1918 when orders were received to proceed to the 1st Air Depot, Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome, France, for demobilization. From Colombey, the squadron was moved to a staging camp under the Services of Supply at Bordeaux, France, in January waiting for a date to report to a base port for transportation home. In mid-March, the squadron boarded a troop ship, arriving in New York on 5 April. From there, the 31st moved to Mitchel Field, New York where the men were demobilized and returned to civilian life.[3][7] The 31st Aero Squadron was demobilized on 14 April 1919 at Mitchel Field, New York.[8]

Inter-war years

The 31st Bombardment Squadron was re-constituted as a reserve Army Air Service unit on 24 March 1923, being assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group in the III Corps area. It was an active associate unit to the 49th Bombardment Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia. Its members spending their reserve commitments with the 49th, primarily supporting the Dayton-Wright DH-4s of the squadron. It was moved to the IX Corps Area in California on 28 February 1927 but never fully organized in the reserves. It was then moved to the VIII Corps area in Texas on 1 September 1928, andits members trained as individual reservists at Kelly Field.[8]

On 1 April 1931 it was transferred to the United States Army Air Corps as a regular unit without reservists, being activated at March Field, California and assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group. It was initially equipped with Keystone B-3 and B-4 biplane bombers, the bombers usually differed from each other only in the type of engine which powered them, and it was often only possible to distinguish one from the other by an examination of their serial numbers. The Keystone planes were the standard Army bomber during the 1920s and about as powerful as their World War I contemporaries, but in terms of safety they were much improved.[2][9]

The group was transferred on 5 December 1934 to the newly-built Hamilton Field, near San Fransisco, as part of a realignment of the Air Corps units in California due to the closure of Rockwell Field near San Diego and the transfer of units from Rockwell to March Field. At Hamilton Field, the 31st was upgraded to the Martin B-10 and B-12s, the first all-metal monoplane bomber to enter full production for the Army. It was also the first bomber to have a performance that exceeded that of contemporary pursuit aircraft. Again, the main difference between the bombers was the engine type. In the spring of 1937, the 31st received new Douglas B-18 Bolos, the 7th Bomb Group being the first operational unit to receive the bombers.[10][2][11]

The squadron trained at Hamilton until the end of 1937, when it was ordered to proceed to Hickam Field, Hawaii, to reinforce the Hawaiian Department. It departed from the port of San Fransisco on the USAT Republic on 1 February 1938, arriving at the port of Honolulu on 8 February and transferring to Hickam the same day, being assigned to the 5th Composite Group.[8] The 31st joined the 23d and 72d Bomb Squadrons at Luke Field on Ford Island which were equipped with Martin B-12s.[2] The 31st had brought its B-18s with it to Hickam, and it began engaging in reconnaissance flights over the Islands.[8] In mid-1941, the 5th Bombardment Group began receiving B-17D Flying Fortresses from the United States, as part of the United States buildup of its Pacific forces due to rising tensions with the Japanese Empire. [2][12]

On 6 December 1941, the 5th had a total of 12 B-17Ds on the line at Hickam Field, along with 33 B-18s. Five additional B-17Ds with the 11th Bombardment Group, were also on the line at Hickam. The 38th Reconnaissance Squadron with four B-17Cs and two new B-17Es were inbound from Hamilton Field to Hickam on their way to Clark Field in the Philippines to reinforce the American force there.[12][2]

World War II

During the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, 5 of the B-17Ds were destroyed, and the rest were damaged. Most of the B-18s were destroyed on the ground in the initial Japanese onslaught. The ones that remained played no significant role in subsequent operations. The 38th Reconnaissance Squadron arrived at Oahu at the height of the attack (radar operators mistakenly thought that the Japanese attack force was this flight arriving from California). Some of the planes managed to land at the short Haleiwa Fighter Strip, one set down on a golf course, and the remainder landed at Hickam under the strafing of Japanese planes.[12]

In the aftermath of the attack the planes that could be repaired were put back on the line, and were reinforced by the wider-tailed B-17E that had a tail gunner position. For the balance of 1942, the 31st remained in Hawaii, its aircraft flying long range reconnaissance missions from Kipapa Airfield and Kualoa Airfield, as Hickam was taken off of operational status, being repaired from its battle damage and also becoming an Air Transport Command way-station, and the establishment of the Hawaiian Air Depot as a modification center for Air Technical Service Command, preparing planes for operation in the Pacific Theater with necessary modifications prior to their deployment to the combat areas.[13][2][14]

In June 1942, during the Japanese threat to Hawaii with its Midway Island attack, the 31st was used for high-altitude bombing attacks against the Japanese carrier strike fleet. However, it was learned that the B-17 was not suitable for attacks against moving ships. None of the bombs dropped by the bombers actually hit a single Japanese ship. An attack against naval vessels at sea was found to be a job best done by low-altitude medium bombers or by dive bombers. [13]

During the course of World War II, the 31st took part in numerous battles in the Pacific campaign, including the Battle of Midway, the Solomon Islands campaign, the Bougainville Campaign, the New Guinea Campaign, Operation Hailstone, the Philippines Campaign, and the Borneo Campaign.[5]

Korean War

After the World War II, the squadron was redesignated the 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. A part of the Far East Air Forces, it served throughout the Pacific and Korea on B-29 and RB-29 bombers.[6]

During the Korean War, the squadron's primary mission included electronic counter measures and bomb-damage assessment photography. Operating out of Japan for greater efficiency, the squadron began flying combat missions on 29 June 1950. On 18 October 1950, a crew spied over 75 enemy fighter planes at Antung Airfield, across the Yalu River, immediately prior to the Chinese intervention.[15]

Strategic Air Command

In 1950 the squadron returned to the United States and was assigned to the 5th Strategic Recon Wing at Travis AFB, California, whereupon it switched to flying RB-36s.[6] The 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron assumed the duties of the 31st.[15]

In 1955 the squadron was redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) being equipped with B-36Js and began standing nuclear alert. In 1960 it was reassigned to SAC's provisional 4126th Strategic Wing, being re-equipped with B-52G Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers. Later the squadron was reassigned to Beale AFB, California, by SAC to disperse its heavy bomber force. From there it conducted worldwide strategic bombardment training missions and providing a nuclear deterrent before being inactivated in 1963 when SAC inactivated its provisional Strategic Wings, redesignating them permanent Air Force Wings. As a result, the squadron was inactivated with its aircraft, personnel and equipment being redesignated 744th Bombardment Squadron in an in-place, name-only transfer.[citation needed]

Modern era

On 1 July 1986 it was once more reactivated at Edwards AFB, CA, and tasked to be the final inspection station of the Strategic Air Command's new weapons systems.[6]

Lineage

Cold War Emblem of the 31st Bombardment Squadron
Demobilized 24 March 1923.
  • Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron.
Reactivated 1 April 1931.
Redesignated 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron in October 1947.
Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in 1955.
Discontinued, and inactivated on February 1963; personnel/aircraft/equipment transferred to 744th Bombardment Squadron
  • Redesignated 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron.
Reactivated 1 July 1986.

Assignments

Attached to: 71st Reconnaissance Group, 18 August 1948
Attached to Far East Air Forces, December 1949 – 16 November 1950)

Stations

Aircraft operated

A Nieuport 24 Bis, similar to those flown by the 31st Aero Squadron in France during World War I.

31st Aero Squadron

31st Bombardment Squadron

By the end of World War II, the 31st Bombardment Squadron was mostly flying Douglas B-18s and Boeing B-17 bombers like this one.

31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron

31st Bombardment Squadron (H)

Today the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron flies a number of advanced aircraft, including the F-22.

31st Test & Evaluation Squadron

Decorations

Campaign streamers

World War I: World War I Service Streamer

World War II: Philippine Islands 1941–1942, Central Pacific 1941–1943, Guadalcanal 1942–1943, New Guinea 1943–1944, Northern Solomons 1943–1944, Eastern Mandates 1944, Bismarck Archipelago 1943–1944, Western Pacific 1944–1945, Leyte 1944–1945, Luzon 1944–1945, Southern Philippines 1945, China Offensive 1945, Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater,

Korean War: UN Defensive 1950, UN Offensive 1950, CCF Intervention 1950–1951

Awards

World War II:

  • Navy Presidential Unit Citation:
    • South Pacific, 1–9 December 1942 (For Participation in the Reinforcement of Guadalcanal)
  • Distinguished Unit Citations:
    • Woleai Island, 18 April  – 15 May 1944,
    • Borneo, 30 September 1944
  • Philippine Presidential Unit Citation

Korean War:

  • Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 27 July  – 15 November 1950

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • 1 June 2006  – 31 May 2008
  • 1 June 2004  – 31 May 2006
  • 1 June 2002  – 31 May 2004
  • 1 June 1998  – 31 May 2000
  • 1 June 1994  – 31 May 1996
  • 30 May 1992  – 29 May 1994
  • 1 July 1990  – 29 May 1992
  • 1 July 1988  – 30 June 1990
  • 1 July 1985  – 30 June 1987
  • 1 June 1998  – 31 May 2000
  • 1 June 2002  – 31 May 2004
  • 1 June 2004  – 31 May 2006
  • 1 June 2006  – 31 May 2008[22]

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ GlobalSecurity.org. "31st Test and Evaluation Squadron [31st TES]". Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Maurer, Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Air Force Historical Studies Office, 1969. ISBN 0-89201-097-5.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Series "E", Volume 7, History of the 30th-37th Aero Squadrons. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  4. ^ Andrews, 2Lt. J.B. (1922). "31st Aero Squadron (Training)". In Edgar S. Gorrell, Col., U.S. Air Service (ed.). History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917-1919. Vol. Series E, Vol. 7. National Archives and Records Administration. pp. 271–273. Retrieved 25 October 2009. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c Joanne Emerick. "Chronological History of the 31st Bomb Squadron, 1917-1945". 31stbombers.org. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d [http://www.fb-111a.net/31TES.html 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
  7. ^ Series "D", Weekly Statistical Reports of Air Service Activities, October 1918-May 1919. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  8. ^ a b c d Clay, Steven E. (2011). US Army Order of Battle 1919–1941. 3 The Services: Air Service, Engineers, and Special Troops 1919–1941. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-98419-014-0. LCCN 2010022326. OCLC 637712205
  9. ^ Baugher, Keystone B-3/B-4
  10. ^ Baugher, B-18 Bolo
  11. ^ Baugher, Martin B-10/B-12
  12. ^ a b c Baugher, B-17 in Pacific Theater
  13. ^ a b Bowman, Martin and Styling, Mark, B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Pacific War, Osprey Publishing; First Edition edition (April 20, 2003), ISBN: 1841764817
  14. ^ Mueller, Robert, Air Force Bases Volume I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982, Office of Air Force History, 1989
  15. ^ a b Judy G. Endicott. "USAF Organizations in Korea 1950-1953" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  16. ^ Michael E. Hanlon (2000). "The Nieuport 24". WorldWarI.com. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  17. ^ Michael E. Hanlon (2000). "The Nieuport 27". WorldWarI.com. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  18. ^ a b Dorr, Robert F. (1997). 7th Bombardment Group/Wing, 1918-1995. KY: Turner Publishing Company. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-56311-278-2. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  19. ^ Naval History via Flix. "US 31st Bombardment Squadron". Flix. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  20. ^ J. Baugher (2000). "B-36 Service History with USAF". Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  21. ^ The California State Military Museum. "Historic California Posts: Beale Air Force Base". Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  22. ^ Air Force Personnel Center Unit Awards

External links

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