329th Combat Crew Training Squadron

History

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.

Began upgrading to the new 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-21 interceptor in the skies of North Korea signaled the end of the propeller-driven B-50 as a first-line strategic bomber. Received B-47 Stratojet jet bombers in 1954, and in 1955 began receiving early model of the B-52 Stratofortress. Inactivated in 1971 due to budget restrictions.

Reactivated as a B-52 Combat Crew Training squadron in 1986; inactivated in 1991 after the end of the Cold War and the reduction of the B-52 fleet.

Lineage

Constituted 329th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942

Activated on 1 March 1942 Redesignated: 329th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 20 August 1943 Redesignated: 329th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 23 May 1945 Redesignated: 329th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 28 May 1948 Redesignated: '329th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 1 February 1955 Inactivated on 30 September 1971 Redesignated 329th Combat Crew Training Squadron, returned to regular status and activated on 1 July 1986 Inactivated on 1 September 1991

Assignments

93d Bombardment Group, 1 March 1942 (attached to 93d Bombardment Wing after 10 February 1951)

93d Bombardment Wing, 16 June 1952 – 30 September 1971

93d Bombardment Wing, 1 July 1986 – 1 September 1991

Aircraft

B-24 Liberator, 1942–1945

B-29 Superfortress, 1945–1949

B-50 Superfortress, 1949–1954

B-47 Stratojet, 1954–1955

B-52 Stratofortress, 1955–1971; 1972–1973; 1986–1991