328th Weapons Squadron
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328th Weapons Squadron
| 328th Weapons Squadron | |
|---|---|
 328th Weapons Squadron emblem |
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| Active | 1942–1994
2003–Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Weapons Training |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Part of | Air Warfare Center |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis AFB, Nevada |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lt Col Allen "Beaver" Reeves |
The United States Air Force's 328th Weapons Squadron (328 WPS) is an USAF Weapons School training unit located at Nellis AFB, Nevada.[1]
The squadron's origins trace back to the 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) activated on 28 January 1942. The 328th Bombardment Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its gallantry during the raid on the Ploesti, Romania oil refineries during August 1943. The 328th flew the B-29, B-47, B-50, and B-52G during the Cold War.
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Contents
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Mission
The 328 WPS is one of eighteen weapons squadrons at the United States Air Force Weapons School. The 328 WPS is the largest squadron within the USAF Weapons School and the 328th manages two separate syllabi: the Space Superiority Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) and the Cyber Network Operations WIC.
History
World War II
Established in early 1942 initially as a B-24 Liberator reconnaissance squadron, flying antisubmarine patrols. Later being redesignated as a heavy bomb group; trained under Third Air Force in Florida. Completed training in late 1942; deploying to European Theater of Operations (ETO) as one of the initial heavy bomber squadrons assigned to VIII Bomber Command in England, September 1942.
Engaged in long-ranger strategic bombardment operations over Occupied Europe. Deployed to IX Bomber Command in Egypt in December 1942; operating from airfields in Libya and Tunisia. Raided enemy military and industrial targets in Italy and in the southern Balkans, including the Nazi-controlled oilfields at Polesti, Romania, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation for its gallantry in that raid. Also flew tactical bombing raids against Afrika Korps defensive positions in Tunisia; supporting British Eighth Army forces in their advance to Tunis, in September and October 1943.
Returned to England with disestablishment of IX Bomber Command in North Africa. From England, resumed long-range strategic bombardment raids on Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany, attacking enemy military and industrial targets as part of the United States' air offensive. The squadron was one of the most highly decorated units in the Eighth Air Force, continuing offensive attacks until the German capitulation in May, 1945.
Returned to the United States in June, 1945; being re-manned and re-equipped with B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers. Trained for deployment to the Central Pacific Area to carry out very long range strategic bombing raids over Japan. Japanese capitulation in August canceled plans for deployment, instead became Continental Air Command (later Strategic Air Command) B-29 squadron.
Cold War
During the Cold War, the squadron was equipped with new weapons systems as they became available, performing strategic bombardment training with the B-50 Superfortress, an advanced version of the B-29 in 1950. The B-50 gave the unit the capability to carry heavy loads of conventional weapons faster and farther as well as being designed for atomic bomb missions if necessary.
By 1951, the emergence of the Soviet Mig-15 interceptor in the skies of North Korea signaled the end of the propeller-driven B-50 as a first-line strategic bomber.[citation needed] The squadron received B-47 Stratojet jet bombers in 1954. In 1955 it began receiving an early model of the B-52 Stratofortress and upgraded to various models over the next 40 years. Taken off nuclear alert after the end of the Cold War, the squadron was inactivated in 1994 with the inactivation of its parent unit and the closure of Castle AFB.
Modern era
The Weapons School Space Division was activated in July 1996 and the Space Division was redesignated as the 328th Weapons Squadron in 2003. The unit has graduated over 250 Weapons Officers.[2]
Lineage
- Constituted 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942
- Activated on 1 Mar 1942
- Redesignated: 328th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 20 Aug 1943
- Redesignated: 328th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 23 May 1945
- Redesignated: 328th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 28 May 1948
- Redesignated: 328th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 1 Feb 1955
- Redesignated: 328th Bomb Squadron on 1 Sep 1991
- Inactivated on 15 Jun 1994
- Redesignated 328th Weapons Squadron on 24 Jan 2003
- Activated and organized on 3 February 2003, assuming resources of Space Division, USAF Weapons School
Assignments
- 93d Bombardment Group, 1 Mar 1942
- 93d Bombardment Wing, attached 10 Feb 1951, assigned 16 Jun 1952
- 93d Operations Group, 1 Sep 1991-15 Jun 1994
- USAF Weapons School, 3 Feb 2003–Present
Stations
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Aircraft operated
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References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- ^ 328th Weapons Squadron Factsheet: Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ [File:Weapons School Squadron Activation.pdf Weapons Squadrons Activation Ceremony 2003]
- 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
- USAFHRA 328 Weapons Squadron Factsheet
References
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