Country United States Part of USAF Weapons School | Type Squadron | |
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Active 1942–1994; 1998—present Branch United States Air Force Role Advanced B-2 Spirit Training | ||
The 325th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the USAF Weapons School, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
Contents
The 325th WPS is a Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) of the 57th Wing, assigned to Nellis AFB, Nevada. The mission of the squadron is to provide B-2 Spirit instructional flying.
History
Activated as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomb squadron in early 1942; trained by Third Air Force in the southeastern United States. Deployed to European Theater of Operations (ETO), being assigned to VIII Bomber Command in England, one of the first squadrons being assigned to the command.
In the ETO, the squadron initially trained replacement crews for combat at RAF Bovingdon. During the period from 18 August 1942 through 6 January 43, the squadron flew four combat missions while conducting replacement crew training. Upon completion of its training mission, the 325th moved to RAF Alconbury on 6 January 1943 where it and its parent 92d Bombardment Group underwent reorganization. When they emerged in May 1943, the 92 BG and 325 BS were ready for combat. The group's B-17s, flew their first post-reorganization combat mission on 15 May 1943.
On 20 August 1943, the personnel and aircraft were assumed by the 813th Bombardment Squadron (Pathfinder).
In September 1943, the squadron was re-equipped with replacement personnel and aircraft, and was once again moved, this time to RAF Podington, where it would remain until the until German capitulation in May 1945. The 92d flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945 when it had the distinction of leading the Eighth Air Force's final sortie of the conflict. The 92 BG flew a total of 308 combat missions.
Reassigned to Air Transport Command in June 1945 as part of Operation Green. Used B-17s as transports, flying demobilized personnel to ATC sites in Morocco and Azores from France. Aircraft turrets were removed and re-skinned, the bomb racks removed, flooring and seating installed to accommodate 30 passengers. The flight crew was reduced to pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer and radio operator. In addition the engineer and radio operator would act as stewards, to assist and calm the many first time flyers. The 325th's aircraft helped move 19,935 troops while also helping to return 5,672 Frenchmen to France. Inactivated in February 1946.
Reactivated as a Strategic Air Command B-29 Superfortress squadron in July 1946. Performed strategic bombardment training until 1950; being deployed to Far East Air Forces and flying combat missions over North Korea. Under control of the FEAF Bomber Command (Provisional) until 20 October, the squadron bombed factories, refineries, iron works, hydroelectric plants, airfields, bridges, tunnels, troop concentrations, barracks, marshalling yards, road junctions, rail lines, supply dumps, docks, vehicles and other strategic and interdiction targets. Returned to Spokane AFB, Washington in late October and November 1950.
Re-equipped with B-36 Peacemaker intercontinental strategic bomber in 1951. Engaged in training operations on a worldwide scale; being upgraded to B-52 Stratofortress in 1957 standing nuclear alert until being stood down in 1992 at the end of the Cold War.
Reactivated as a B-2 Spirit bomb squadron in 1998. Taken off operational flying status, being redesignated as a weapons training squadron at Whiteman in 2005, assuming assets on inactivated 715th Weapons Squadron.