Deployed to Tinian, Mariana Islands in December 1944. Entered combat by flying navigational escort for a major attack force bound for Iwo Jima. The squadron then struck Tokyo and other major Japanese cities and facilities during daylight high-altitude bombing raids, with crippling, non-stop incendiary raids which destroyed lines of communication, supply, and numerous kamikaze bases. On 25 May 1945, the squadron flew a low-altitude night mission through alerted enemy defenses to drop incendiary bombs on Tokyo, for which they received their first Distinguished Unit Citation.
In addition to incendiary raids, the 40th also participated in mining operations. By mining harbors in Japan and Korea in July 1945, the squadron contributed to the blockade of the Japanese Empire earning their second Distinguished Unit Citation. The 40th's final World War II mission came on 14 August 1945, with the dropping of 500-pound general-purpose bombs on the Marifu railroad yards at Iwakuni.
With the war over, the squadron dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners of war and took part in show-of-force flights over Japan. Aircraft and were returned to the United States in late 1945; unit remained assigned to Twentieth Air Force primarily as an administrative unit where it was unequipped; finally inactivated in 1948.
Strategic Air CommandEdit
Reactivated in January 1951 due to expansion of the Air Force due to the Cold War. Equipped with Convair B-36 Peacemaker intercontinental strategic bombers. Initially was equipped with B-36Fs. Later Featherweight III B-36Js were added, the squadron operating both types. Carried blue stripe on the tip of the vertical stabilizer; the lip of the jet intakes and the "nose cone" of the jet itself along with triangle-R tail code. SAC eliminated tail codes in 1953. In September 1957, the B-36s were replaced with Boeing B-52E Stratofortress aircraft and all squadron markings were eliminated. Continued strategic bombardment training until 1967 when the squadron was inactivated with the closing of Walker Air Force Base.
Reactivated as a provisional B-52H strategic bomb squadron as part of the Global War on Terrorism in 2002. Engaged in combat operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. Suspected to have ended combat operations in 2006; current status is undetermined.
Operations and decorationsEdit
Combat Operations: Combat in Western Pacific, 27 Jan-14 Aug 1945.
Campaigns: Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977(PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
October 21, 2023
40th, expeditionary, bomb, squadron, 40th, bombardment, squadron, redirects, here, 40th, bombardment, squadron, medium, 24th, tactical, missile, squadron, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, . 40th Bombardment Squadron redirects here For the 40th Bombardment Squadron Medium see 24th Tactical Missile Squadron This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message The 40th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit It was assigned to the 40th Air Expeditionary Wing possibly stationed at Diego Garcia Its current status is unknown 40th Expeditionary Bomb SquadronB 52 Stratofortresses on the ramp at Diego GarciaActive1944 1948 1951 1967 2002 unknownCountry United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleHeavy BomberNickname s Fightin 40thEngagementsWestern Pacific Theater of Operations 1 DecorationsDistinguished Unit CitationAir Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 InsigniaPatch with 40th Bombardment Squadron emblem note 1 1 Contents 1 History 1 1 B 29 Superfortress operations against Japan 1 2 Strategic Air Command 1 3 Operations and decorations 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Aircraft 3 See also 4 References 4 1 BibliographyHistory EditB 29 Superfortress operations against Japan Edit Established as a Boeing B 29 Superfortress heavy bomb group in early 1944 trained under Second Air Force in Nebraska Initially trained with Boeing B 17 Flying Fortresses until B 29 aircraft were manufactured and assigned to the unit Deployed to Tinian Mariana Islands in December 1944 Entered combat by flying navigational escort for a major attack force bound for Iwo Jima The squadron then struck Tokyo and other major Japanese cities and facilities during daylight high altitude bombing raids with crippling non stop incendiary raids which destroyed lines of communication supply and numerous kamikaze bases On 25 May 1945 the squadron flew a low altitude night mission through alerted enemy defenses to drop incendiary bombs on Tokyo for which they received their first Distinguished Unit Citation In addition to incendiary raids the 40th also participated in mining operations By mining harbors in Japan and Korea in July 1945 the squadron contributed to the blockade of the Japanese Empire earning their second Distinguished Unit Citation The 40th s final World War II mission came on 14 August 1945 with the dropping of 500 pound general purpose bombs on the Marifu railroad yards at Iwakuni With the war over the squadron dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners of war and took part in show of force flights over Japan Aircraft and were returned to the United States in late 1945 unit remained assigned to Twentieth Air Force primarily as an administrative unit where it was unequipped finally inactivated in 1948 Strategic Air Command Edit Reactivated in January 1951 due to expansion of the Air Force due to the Cold War Equipped with Convair B 36 Peacemaker intercontinental strategic bombers Initially was equipped with B 36Fs Later Featherweight III B 36Js were added the squadron operating both types Carried blue stripe on the tip of the vertical stabilizer the lip of the jet intakes and the nose cone of the jet itself along with triangle R tail code SAC eliminated tail codes in 1953 In September 1957 the B 36s were replaced with Boeing B 52E Stratofortress aircraft and all squadron markings were eliminated Continued strategic bombardment training until 1967 when the squadron was inactivated with the closing of Walker Air Force Base Reactivated as a provisional B 52H strategic bomb squadron as part of the Global War on Terrorism in 2002 Engaged in combat operations over Iraq and Afghanistan Suspected to have ended combat operations in 2006 current status is undetermined Operations and decorations Edit Combat Operations Combat in Western Pacific 27 Jan 14 Aug 1945 Campaigns Air Offensive Japan Eastern Mandates Western Pacific Decorations Distinguished Unit Citations Tokyo Japan 25 May 1945 Japanese Empire 9 19 Jul 1945 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 May 1960 31 May 1962 Lineage EditConstituted as the 40th Bombardment Squadron Very Heavy on 28 March 1944Activated on 1 April 1944 Inactivated on 18 October 1948Redesignated 40th Bombardment Squadron Medium on 20 December 1950Activated on 2 January 1951 Redesignated 40th Bombardment Squadron Heavy on 16 June 1952 2 Inactivated on 25 January 1967Redesignated 40th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and converted to provisional status 31 January 2002 citation needed Activated unknown 2002 Assignments Edit 6th Bombardment Group 1 April 1944 18 October 1948 6th Bombardment Group 2 January 1951 attached to 6th Bombardment Wing 3 6th Bombardment Wing later 6th Strategic Aerospace Wing 16 June 1952 25 January 1967 2 3 40th Air Expeditionary Wing 31 Jan 2002 TBDStations Edit Dalhart Army Air Field Texas 1 April 1944 Grand Island Army Airfield Nebraska 26 May 18 November 1944 North Field Tinian 28 December 1944 Clark Field Philippines 13 March 1946 Kadena Air Base Okinawa 1 June 1947 18 October 1948 Walker Air Force Base New Mexico 2 January 1951 25 January 1967 2 Diego Garcia 31 Jan 2002 unknownAircraft Edit Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress 1944 Boeing B 29 Superfortress 1944 1947 1951 1952 Convair B 36 Peacemaker 1952 1957 Boeing B 52 Stratofortress 1957 1967 2002 unknown 2 See also Edit nbsp World War II portalList of B 52 Units of the United States Air Force List of B 29 Superfortress operators B 17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air ForcesReferences EditExplanatory notes Approved 19 April 1962 Citations a b c Maurer Combat Squadrons pp 186 187 a b c d Lineage information including assignments stations and aircraft through May 1963 in Maurer Combat Squadrons pp 186 187 a b Ravenstein pp 16 18 Bibliography Edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Maurer Maurer ed 1983 1961 Air Force Combat Units of World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 02 1 LCCN 61060979 Retrieved 17 December 2016 Maurer Maurer ed 1982 1969 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 405 12194 6 LCCN 70605402 OCLC 72556 Ravenstein Charles A 1984 Air Force Combat Wings Lineage amp Honors Histories 1947 1977 PDF Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 912799 12 9 Retrieved 17 December 2016 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 40th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron amp oldid 1134872863, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
