Active 1917-1942 Type Bombardment | Country United States | |
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Branch United States Army Air Forces | ||
The 54th Bombardment Squadron was a component of the 23d Composite Group, which was stationed at Maxwell Field, Alabama prior to World War II.
Contents
World War I
Organized primarily from recruits in the Columbus, Ohio area, first formed in Columbus on Texas. After a month of indoctrination training at Kelly Field, was transferred to the Aviation Concentration Center Field #2 (Hazlehurst Field), Long Island, New york where it arrived on 21 September. There the squadron was outfitted for overseas duty, sailing on the Cunard Liner Panenia on 13 October with seven other squadrons. Arrived in Belfast, Ireland on the 28th. The following day the overseas voyage to England was completed, and the squadron disembarked at Liverpool. From there a train trip to Southampton was made overnight, and the squadron arrived at Le Havre, France on 1 November.
After some rest in Le Havre, the squadron then boarded a French train for the town of Issoudun in central France. Its mission was to assist in the construction of a large training aerodrome, designated the 3d Air Instructional Center. The squadron erected wooden barracks, dug ditches of all types both for water and sewer lines as well as electricity and telephones. Re-designated as the 466th Aero Squadron on 1 February 1918 when a new numbering system came into effect.
On 10 March 1918, with the work largely completed at Issodun, the squadron was moved to the Air Service Production Center #2 at Romorantin Aerodrome. There, the squadron assisted in the same type of construction it performed at Issodun.
By 1 April 1918, the facility was ready for use as an active Air Service training camp. As part of the permanent garrison at Romorantin, the squadron's mission was to assemble aircraft, work in the engineering department, maintain the facilitates of the base, operate the quartermaster's office and other administrative departments of the Production Center. It continued this work until the armistice in November 1918.
In late December 1918, the squadron was ordered demobilized by the Commanding General, Services of Supply. It moved to a staging area near Brest where it awaited transportation back to the United States. The squadron subsequently arrived at Garden City, New York, at the end of January 1919 where the men were demobilized and returned to Civilian life.
Later history
main: 1st Proving Ground GroupGeneral John W. Persons assumed command of the 54th in October 1939. The 23rd Composite Group moved to Orlando Army Air Base, Florida, and then to Eglin Field on 1 July 1941. At this time it comprised the 1st Pursuit Squadron, the 54th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), the 24th Bombardment Squadron (Light), the 54th School Squadron, the 61st Air Base Group, and the 3rd Gunnery and Bombing Range Detachment.
On 7 December 1941, the 54th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was assigned at Eglin Field and was equipped with various aircraft types. The 23rd Composite Group was re-designated the Air Corps Proving Ground Detachment, Air Corps Proving Ground Group at Eglin.
The squadron's mission focused on developing and demonstrating tactics and doctrine. After moving to Eglin it also conducted testing of experimental weapons. B-26 Marauders were assigned to the 54th at the Air Proving Ground.