The 337th Test and Evaluations Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is a part of the 53d Test and Evaluation Group of the 53d Wing. Its primary task is to test and evaluate modifications on the B-1 bomber, as well as to train future aircrews to fly upgraded B-1s. The 337th is headquartered at Dyess AFB, Texas, though it operates out of a number of bases throughout the United States.
From 14 May 1943 to 21 April 1945, the squadron conducted strategic bombardment of shipyards, submarine bases, marshaling yards, oil facilities, airfields, and aircraft plants. On occasion, it flew tactical sorties against gun emplacements, rocket sites, enemy troops, and communications centers.
On 17 August 1943, it earned its first Distinguished Unit Citation, striking targets at Regensburg and Schweinfurt, Germany. Soon after, on 14 October 1943, the squadron participated in World War II's single most important raid on ball-bearing factories at Schweinfurt.
On 9 April 1944, it earned a second DUC in an attack on aircraft component factories at Poznań, Poland. The squadron subsequently attacked enemy field batteries and miscellaneous targets in support of Normandy operations on 6 June 1944.
Strategic Air Command
Beginning in 1968, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and crews deployed to Southeast Asia (SEA) for bombardment operations. For much of the conflict, the squadron furnished aircraft and crews to Strategic Air Command organizations based in SEA. When the Air Force switched to the B-1 Lancer, the 337th was the first unit to fly the new bomber.
Test and evaluation
As part of the 53d Test and Evaluation Group, the 337th conducts testing of various upgrades to the B-1, as well as trains aircrews to operate and maintain the upgraded aircraft. The squadron has been currently working on the increasing the B-1's weapons payload, attempting to increase the bomber's ability to deliver weapons into heavily defended areas.
Constituted as the 337th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942Activated on 15 July 1942
Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 22 June 1943Inactivated on 29 November 1945
Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 13 May 1947Activated in the reserve on 29 May 1947.Inactivated 27 June 1949.
Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 6 November 1953Activated 18 November 1953Discontinued and inactivated on 15 March 1963
Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, HeavyActivated on 20 March 1963 (not organized)Organized on 15 September 1963Redesignated
337th Bomb Squadron on 1 September 1991Inactivated on 1 October 1994
Redesignated 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron on 8 April 2004Activated on 14 May 2004
96th Bombardment Group, 15 July 1942 – 29 November 194596th Bombardment Group, 29 May 1947 – 27 June 194996th Bombardment Wing (later 96 Strategic Aerospace Wing), 18 November 1953 – 15 Mar 1963Strategic Air Command, 20 Mar 1963 (not organized)96th Strategic Aerospace Wing (later 96 Bombardment Wing), 15 September 196396th Operations Group, 1 September 19917th Operations Group, 1 October 1993 – 1 October 199453d Test and Evaluation Group, 14 May 2004 – presentSalt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah, 15 July 1942Gowen Field, Idaho, 6 August 1942Walla Walla Army Air Base, Washington, 31 August 1942Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, 29 September 1942Pocatello Army Air Field, Idaho, 3 November 1942Pyote Army Air Base, Texas, 7 January - 15 April 1943RAF Andrews Field (AAF-485), England, 13 May 1943RAF Snetterton Heath (AAF-138), England, 29 May 1943 - 22 November 1945Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 27–29 November 1945Gunter Field (later Gunter Air Force Base), Alabama, 29 May 1947 - 27 June 1949Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 18 November 1953Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 8 September 1957 - 15 March 1963Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 15 September 1963 - 1 October 1994Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 14 May 2004 – presentBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1942-1945)North American AT-6 Texan (1947-1949)Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan (1947-1949)Boeing B-47 Stratojet (1955-1963)Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1963-1970, 1970-1972, 1973-1985)Rockwell B-1 Lancer (1986-1994, 2004-present)Distinguished Unit CitationsGermany, 17 August 1943Poznań, Poland, 9 April 1944Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards1 January 1959 - 31 December 19601 July 1974 - 30 June 19751 July 1978 - 30 June 19791 July 1988 - 30 June 19901 July 1990 - 29 May 19921 June 1992 - 30 May 1994
