812th Fighter Bomber Squadron

History

Activated in England in 1943 as an Eighth Air Force heavy bomber pathfinder group, flying RADAR-equipped B-17s that preceded bomber formations flying from England to Germany and indicated targets such as airfields, submarine installations, and marshalling yards obscured by weather. Squadron's aircraft were assigned individually to various groups during combat missions. Returned to United States after the end of the war in Europe, but inactivated in California in 1945.

Trained in the Reserve as a heavy bombardment group, June 1947-June 1949; as a troop carrier group, June–December 1952; and as a fighter-bomber group flying various fighter and trainer aircraft, May 1955-November 1957

Lineage

Constituted 812th Bombardment Squadron (Pathfinder) on 10 August 1943

Activated on 20 August 1943 Redesignated 812th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 11 November 1944 Inactivated on 1 September 1945

Redesignated 812th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 13 August 1947

Activated in the reserve on 9 September 1947 Inactivated on 27 June 1949

Redesignated 812th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) on 26 May 1952

Activated in the reserve on 14 June 1952 Inactivated on 1 December 1952

Redesignated 812th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 12 April 1955

Activated in the reserve on 18 May 1955 Inactivated on 16 November 1957.

Assignments

482d Bombardment Group, 20 August 1943 – 1 September 1945

482d Bombardment Group, 9 September 1947 – 27 June 1949

482d Troop Carrier Group, 14 June-1 December 1952

482d Fighter-Bomber Group, 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957.

Stations

RAF Alconbury, England, 20 August 1943-June 1945

Victorville Army Airfield, California, July-1 September 1945

New Orleans Mun Airport, Louisiana, 9 September 1947 – 27 June 1949

Miami International Airport, Florida, 14 June-1 December 1952

Dobbins AFB, Georgia, 18 May 1955 – 16 November 1957.

Aircraft

B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943–1945

C-46 Commando, 1952

F-80 Shooting Star, 1955