The distinguished and colorful history of the 380th BW dates back to 28 October 1942 when the unit was established. The 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3 November 1942 at Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, AZ. Originally, the 380th BG consisted of four bombardment squadrons, the 528th, 529th, 530th and 531st. Shortly after being activated, the group moved to Biggs Field, El Paso, TX where it underwent extensive combat training. After completing training, the 380th BG moved to Lowry Field, Denver, Co. to undergo final combat training. In early May 1943, the Group arrived in the Northern Territory of Australia. The 380th BG was the only B-24 unit attached to the Royal Australian Air Force and was assigned to the Darwin area in the Northern Territory to secure Australia's safety against threatened Japanese invasion. Upon its arrival in Australia, the 380th BG immediately began combat operations. During April and May 1944, the 380th engaged in the most intensive and sustained operations since arrival in the Southwest Pacific, neutralizing the rear bases through which the Japanese might reinforce their air force in the Wakde-Hollandia area. From the end of May 1944 until it moved to the Philippines in February 1945, the 380th BG concentrated on neutralizing enemy bases, installations and industrial compounds in the southern and central East Indies. In April 1945, Far East Air Force relieved the 380th of its ground support commitments in the Philippines. During the month, the Group flew the first heavy bomber strikes against targets in China and French Indochina. In June 1945, the 380th was placed under the operational control of the 13th Air Force for pre-invasion attacks against Labuan and Balkpapan in Borneo. For nearly two weeks, the Group's Liberators kept these targets under a state of aerial siege. After the Borneo raids, the 380th flew its last missions to Formosa. After the cessation of hostilities, the 380th flew reconnaissance patrols over the Japanese islands and ferried released prisoners of war to Manila. On 18 October 1945, the unit was transferred to the 7th Air Force, where it participated in the Sunset Project, the return of B-24s and their crews to the United States. The 380th Bombardment Group remained inactive from 20 February 1946 until its redesignation from Heavy to Very Heavy on 13 May 1947. On 29 May 1947, the Group was activated at McDill Field, Tampa, Fla., as a reserve unit. The group remained an inactive reserve unit until being called to active duty on 1 May 1951. Fifteen days later on 16 May 1951, after the personnel had been processed for active duty and transferred to other units for service in the Korean War, the Group was deactivated.The 380th Bombardment Wing (Medium) was activated at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Plattsburgh, NY on July 11, 1955. At the same time, the 528th, 529th and 530th Bombardment Squadrons were also activated. During July and August, the personnel assigned to the Wing arrived at Plattsburgh. In December 1955, the first B-47 was assigned to the Wing but instead of being flown to Plattsburgh AFB, was delivered to Pinecastle AFB, Florida, at Det 1, 380th BMW because of the delays in completing the facilities at Plattsburgh.Major Harold L. Neal piloted the first flight of a B-47 by a 380th's crew on Jan.27, 1956 at Pinecastle. For the next several months, training continued while additional B-47s were assigned to the Wing. By the end of January 1956, 16 B-47s were assigned to the wing and increased to 30 by the end of April. The first B-47E arrived on March 21, 1956 piloted by Brigadier General Kenneth O. Sanborn, first commander of the 820th Air Division headquartered at Plattsburgh AFB. The aircraft was christened "City of Plattsburgh" the next day. In September 1956, the 380th Air Refueling Squadron, flying the KC-97s, was transferred to Plattsburgh AFB from Sheppard AFB, TX. The Wing was declared combat ready on Oct.1, 1956.
In April 1957, the 380th deployed to Brize Norton, UK for a three months period. During this deployment, Wing's B-47 inaugurated the "Three Capitals" air race. The occasion was the Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget Field in Paris, France. On 28 May 1957, three B-47s from the 380th BW took off from Brize Norton and flew over Le Bourget to start the race. The objectif of the race was to fly from Paris to Madrid to Rome and back to Paris, and the prize was the General Electric Trophy. A B-47E from the 529th BS won the 2,346 statute miles race in 4 hours 12 minutes and 7 seconds, with an average speed of 558 miles per hour. The aircraft, commanded by Capt. Robert E. Sheridan was piloted by 1st Lt. J.L.Mombrea with Capt. Frank R. Beadle as Observer. The wing redeployed to PAFB in June 1957. On 18 July 1957, the Wing suffered its first peacetime major accident. A KC-97G from the 380th ARS with a crew of eight exploded and crashed into Lake Champlain when 2 of the 4 engines failed 3 minutes after take-off from Plattsburgh AFB at 9:28 p.m. On 1 October 1957, SAC commenced 24-hour alert status and the 380th BW was incorporated into the SAC alert force. During February 1959, the Wing gained both the 820th Air Base Group and the 4020th USAF Hospital. Both of these units had previously been assigned to the 820th Air Division, located at Plattsburgh AFB. The 531st BS was activated and assigned to the 380th in May 1959. Later that year, on 7 August, another unit was attached to the Wing from the 820th AD, the 26th Air Refueling Squadron. The 531st was deactivated on 1 January 1962. During 1961 and 1962, the physical appearance of the area surrounding Plattsburgh AFB underwent changes as construction began on 12 "Atlas F" missile sites. The sites were built within a 50 miles radius of the base and were completed in 1963, at an average cost of $3 million each. The missile silos were built inside gigantic holes 174 feet deep and 54 feet wide into solid rock. Approximately 8,000 cubic yards of concrete and tons of structural steel were used in each hole to create a blast proof, underground silo, protected by massive overhead doors for the 81-feet missiles. A single underground blockhouse containing launch consoles and personnel quarters was constructed at each site. The squadron was equipped with 13 missiles, allowing each silo to have its Atlas missile with one left for spare. When one missile in a silo was scheduled for maintenance, the spare missile kept at PAFB was sent to replace it. This allowed the 380th to maintain 12 ready to launch missiles seven days a week. All sites were in New York state except for two located on the other side of Lake Champlain in Vermont.The 556th Strategic Missile Squadron, formerly assigned to Dow AFB, Maine, was transferred to Plattsburgh AFB on October 1,1961 and became completely operational on 20 December 1962. This was the last Atlas squadron to be accepted and the only Intercontinental Ballistic Missile base east of the Mississipi River. The 556th's last operational day was April 30 April 1965 with the Squadron's inactivation on 25 June, 1965. Between 20 July 1962 and 24 December 1964, the 380th also flew EB-47 assigned to the 4365th Post Attack Command and Control Squadron. On 15 January 1962, the Wing suffered its second aircraft lost when a B-47E assigned to the 529th BS on a routine training flight making bomb runs over Fort Drum crashed on the southeast slope of Wright's Peak ( a mountain top 60 miles south of Plattsburgh AFB). The wreckage was discovered on the 21st by a group of US Army pilot from Fort Devens, Mass. Later that same year, on 22 October 1962, the Wing responded to the Cuban Missile Crisis by deploying eight of its B-47s to a dispersal base. These aircraft and personnel stayed at the dispersal base until 25 November 1962 with the remaining aircraft and personnel on alert at Plattsburgh AFB.
On 15 September 1964, the 380th Bombardment Wing was redesignated the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing (Heavy) and was composed of three B-47 squadrons (528th, 529th and 530th), the 380th Air Refueling Squadron, the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron, the 380th Combat Support Group and the 820th Medical Group. On 18 September, the Wing received its first KC-135A flown by Col. Harold J. Whiteman and a four-man crew composed of Maj. Creston Fowler (commander), Capt. Robert J. Svoboda (co-pilot), Capt. Robert D. Smith (navigator) and TSgt. Roy W. Rebstock (boomer). The aircraft was christened the same day, "Spirit of the North Country" by Mrs Gladys Ellison. Mrs Ellison's husband was SMSgt. Guin B. Ellison, Maintenance Supervisor of the Year for the 380th. September 1965 saw one of the Wing's B-47s, "Pride of the Adirondacks" departing Plattsburgh AFB for SAC's 14th Bombing and Navigation competition at Fairchild AFB, Washington. Six days later, that same aircraft returned to Plattsburgh being hailed as the "World's Best B-47" after having won top honors among all SAC B-47 units in 3 of 4 competition areas for the B-47s. "Pride of the Adirondacks" was commanded by Maj. Charles W.Patrick with Capt. John V. Wilcox for co-pilot and Maj. Robert A. Wickland as navigator. The crew won 'Best B-47 Crew, Bombing', 'Best B-47 Crew, Combined' and 'Best B-47 Unit'. Within three weeks of that triumph, the first B-47 departed for storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. as part of an accelerated phase-out of the type. On 14 December, a ceremony was held as the final three B-47s departed Plattsburgh AFB for the Arizona's storage facility. "Pride of the Adirondacks" was preserved and put on display at the entrance of the base on 8 February 1966. To replace the B-47s, the Wing was assigned the B-52G "Stratofortress" bomber and received its first aircraft christened "Champlain Lady" on 19 June 1966. After the arrival of the new type, another new unit was assigned to the Wing on 25 January 1967, the 310th Air Refueling squadron. On 21 January, 1968, tragedy struck again the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing when B-52G 58-0188, crashed near Thule Air Base in Greenland. The aircraft was flown by a crew from the 528th BS and was carrying four hydrogen bombs when it crashed into an ice covered bay at the western tip of Greenland. The crew of seven was composed of Capt. John Baug (commander), Capt. Leonard Svitenko (co-pilot), Maj. Frank Hopkins (radar navigator), Capt. Curtis Criss (navigator), Capt. Richard Max (electronic warfare), SSgt. Calvin Snapp (gunner) and Maj. Alfred J.D'amario (safety officer from Wing HQ). Sadly, Capt. Svitenko was killed during the crash. The Wing's involvement in the Vietnam War was one of temporary duty assignments. Tanker and bomber crews of the 380th were temporarily assigned to the Pacific theater in support of B-52 "Arc Light" missions and KC-135 "Young Tiger" operations. The KC-135 crews and aircraft supported Southeast Asia operations from October 1966 until 1973. The B-52 crews served from 1968 until 1970. The stay of the B-52s assigned to the 380th was destined to be short. In 1968, plans were initiated to bring the Air Force's newest strategic aircraft to Plattsburgh AFB, the FB-111A. An acceptance ceremony of the first FB-111A by the Strategic Air Command took place on Wednesday 8 October 1969 at Carswell AFB, Tx. Col. Wesley L.Pendergraft, 380th SAW/CC attended the ceremony. By the end of 1970, B-52s were transferred to Fairchild AFB, Washington and the last B-52G left Plattsburgh AFB on 5 January 1971. On 1 January 1971, the 528th BS was redesignated Medium and the 529th BS was reactivated.
Construction requirements for the new FB-111A were completed in 1969. Col.G.R.Abendhoff, 380th BW's commander, and Lt Col. Eugene W. Loy, 4007th CCTS commander, flew the first FB-111A to the base during Open House ceremonies on 17 July 1971. The same day the aircraft was christened "Spirit of Plattsburgh" as part of a ceremony. On August 1, 1971, Det.1 of the 4007th CCTS was activated to instruct the combat crews in the sophisticated systems that equipped the FB-111A. The CCTS graduated its first class at Plattsburgh AFB in December 1971. With an Authorized Unit Establishment of 38 aircraft, the 380th pressed ahead with the formation of two operational squadrons and to maintain a minimum eight-aircraft alert commitment. The 528th and 529th began their transition on 17 July 1971, achieving IOC on 1 January 1972 and were declared ready to support SAC's EWO (Emergency War Order) by the branch's Inspector General on 6 June of the same year. On 1 July 1972, the 380th strategic Aerospace Wing (Heavy) was redesignated the 380th Bombardment Wing (Medium). The first mission of a wing's FB-111A equipped with the SRAM took place on 20 April 1973. In September 1973, the 380th absorbed the 4007th CCTS which by that time had logged 3,179 sorties and 13,312 flying hours. In early 1974, Col. Bob Reynolds became the first pilot to fly 1000 hours in the FB-111A. Colonel Reynolds was a member of the initial cadre of aircrew trained to become instructors. During the 1974 Strategic Air Command's Bombing and Navigation competition, the FB-111 and KC-135 crews from the 380th combined their effort with the support personnel to prove to be "The Best of the Best". The 380th BW was the first Wing equipped with the FB-111A to win the competition and would dominate again in the years to come. The 380th BW was recognized for exceptionally meritorious service from 1 July 1974 to 30 June 1975 and received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. In January 1975, the 8th Air Force gained control of the 380th BW when the 2nd Air Force was inactivated. The 380th BW participated in SAC Bombing and Navigation competition "Giant Voice 76", and won the top award, the Fairchild trophy, on 1 December 1976. In the same month, the wing was tasked to support four "Giant Mask II" missions. "Giant Mask II" was a series of tests of electronic countermeasures procedures and equipment on FB-111A aircraft. In 1978, the wing won the Fairchild Trophy for the fourth consecutive time, a SAC record. In the summer of 1981, the wing celebrated its 25th (Silver) anniversary.
In 1982, the first reunion of the surviving members of the 380th Bombardment Group which formed the 380th Bombardment Group Association was held. The second reunion took place at Plattsburgh AFB in September 1983 and on this occasion, dedication of the Plattsburgh Military Museum was one of the highlights of the reunion. 1984 started with a fitting tribute to both the 380th Bombardment Wing and the 380th Bombardment Group. The 380th BG was inactivated and consolidated with the 380th BW by order of the Secretary of the Air Force on 31 January 1984. As the year progressed, the 380th once again proved itself worthy of its motto, "Best of the Best", as it achieved an unprecedented fifth Fairchild Trophy at the annual SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition. In addition to winning the Fairchild, which established a record of five trophies for one unit, the Wing captured its second Saunders Trophy for the best air refueling unit and the "Best FB-111 Crew Award". In 1985, the 380th BW received the pinacle award for SAC Wings. The Omaha Trophy for the best overall SAC wing for the 1984' s calendar year was awarded to the Wing on 11 July. Col. Raymund O'Mara replaced Col. George W. Larson Jr. as commander of the 380th BW on 10 June 1985. That same year, LtCol. Dale Wolfe set world record by recording 2,000 hours as pilot of FB-111A aircraft.
During the summer of 1988, a full complement of the 380th BW deployed for the first time since World War II. Over 300 men and women deployed to a forward operating base in support of "Mighty Warrior 88", a SAC wide exercise held to better enable the various SAC wings to carry out their respective missions under austere conditions. In September 1989, the 380th BW again deployed FBs and KC-135s to Seymour-Johnson AFB to participate in "Mighty Warrior 89". On 23 December 1989, LtCol. John Plantikow became the first and only pilot to reach 3,000 hours in the FB. Lt Col. Plantikow was chief of the Standardization/Evaluation Division, supervising all wing's FB-111A and KC-135 flight examiners.
On 8 June 1990, the wing was ordered to remove all Short Range Attack Missiles (SRAM) from alert aircraft. The 380th Avionics Maintenance Squadron was inactivated 31 October 1990. The 380th BW began retiring its FB-111A in 1990 and one-half of the SAC FB-111A force was retired by 31 December 1990. On 20 May and 21 May 1991, FB-111 crews from the 380th BW participated in "Iron Man". This was the bomber crew's last hurrah and their last chance to prove their ability in flying the FB-111A under fire. "Ironman" pitted FB-111A crews against various other fighters from around the Northeast. Flying missions over the Adirondacks, and throughout New York, aircrews from the 528th and 529th Bomb Squadrons bombed targets on the Army's Fort Drum Bombing Range. On 14 June, the last training mission for an FB-111A came to an end when Col. J. Paul Malandrino and Maj. M.Stephenson aboard "Little Joe" touched down on the two-mile concrete runway at PAFB. On 10 July 1991, Strategic Air Command and the 380th Bomber Wing said goodbye to the FB-111A when the last 4 operational aircraft left Plattsburgh AFB for their final flight to preservation in Museums. The 380th BW was redesignated the 380th Air Refueling Wing a few days earlier on 1 July 1991. The mission of the 380th ARW was to provide worldwide air refueling with its KC-135A/Q and serves as host to the Tanker Task Force operation. The 380th ARW Tanker Task Force was responsible for supporting most of the transoceanic operations on the East Coast. Colonel Malandrino served as the 380th Air Refueling Wing commander until 29 August 1991 when Col. Larry J. Leturmy assumed command on 1 September 1991. The 380th ARW was now assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. In 1993, Plattsburgh AFB was placed on the closure list pursuant to the Defense Closure and Realignment Act of 1990.Plattsburgh AFB was officially closed on Sept.30, 1995 as a result of the 1993 Defense Closure and Realignment actions. The closure ceremony took place on 29 September with New York Congressman John M.McHugh; Rodney A.Coleman, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower, reserve affairs, installations and environment; Lt.Gen.Edwin E.Tenoso, 21st Air Force commander; and Col. Robert E.Dawson, 380th Air Refueling Wing commander, as guests of honor. The 310th and 380th Air Refueling Squadrons were deactivated a few days earlier during a ceremony with most of the tankers being assigned to Grand Forks AFB and McConnell AFB. The 380th ARW controlled the 42nd ARS at Loring AFB, Me, the 509th ARS from Griffiss AFB, NY and the European Tanker Task Force, which provided operational refueling to England and Saudi Arabia.
The 528th Bombardment Squadron was formed at Tucson Arizona on 3 November 1942. The squadron went through combat training at Biggs Field, Texas and Lowry Field, Colorado, before leaving for overseas in April of 1943 bound for the southwest pacific, with their B-24 Liberator bombers. The air echelon had already arrived at Fenton Field in Northern Australia when the ground elements started out from Port Darwin by truck. The meaning of "Northern Territory" was made clear to every member who made the trip from Port Darwin to Fenton by truck. There were no signs of life except for the herds of curious kangaroos that froze on sight and then scampered away. This was to be the home of the 528th for the next fourteen months.From its home at Fenton, the 528th reached out to the Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies, striking at well fortified Japanese oil refining and dock facilities, and cutting the Japanese supply lines. On 23 April 1944, on a bombing run over Noemfoor Island, five aircraft of the 528th Participated in the wildest shooting spree of the war for the squadron. These five B-24s were intercepted by twenty-five Japanese fighters and a very hot battle ensued for the next hour. Twelve of the enemy fighters were shoot down, all five of the Liberators managed to make it back to Fenton, although heavily damaged. The squadron was not without losses though, one deadly and six wounded. This battle resulted in 21 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Silver Stars being awarded to members of the 528th.
After the war the 528th was inactivated. In 1947, the 528th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as a reserve unit of the Strategic Air Command in Florida. The squadron remained an inactive reserve unit until 1951 when the squadron was inactivated. The 528th Squadron was again activated in 1955 as part of the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing and equipped with the B-47 "Stratojet". Flying the B-47, the 528th took a place as part of SAC's nuclear deterrent to war. The squadron flew the B-47 until they were phased out of the Air Force inventory in 1965. The B-47s were replaced by the B-52 "Stratofortress" in 1966 and the 528th was the only squadron assigned to the wing at this time. Crews of the 528th were deployed in support to the war in Southeast Asia on a rotating TDY basis for Arc Light operations in the late 60s.
In 1969, it was announced that the 528th would be receiving the Air Force's newest weapons system, the FB-111A. The record of the 528th and the "Switchblade" is impressive. While maintaining the largest Alert Force commitment in the command, the squadron never failed an Operational Readiness Inspection or Buy None. In 1976, the Weapons Delivery Capability and Bombing Reliability for both evaluation was 100%. In 1977, an all-time SAC record for bombing accuracy was set, and during a December 1978 evalaution, a record number of releases was achieved with "Outstanding" reliability. This sustained professional competence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 45th Air Divission Award for Outstanding Bombardment Squadron and General John D. Ryan Award (1976), and two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (1975 and 1978). At the annual SAC Bomb Comp in 1974, the tradition begun by "The Pride of the Adirondacks" was revived by an FB-111A nick-named "Apple One". A 528th crew won top honors and helped to bring the Fairchild Trophy to Plattsburgh. In 1975, another 528th team took the Best Crew Award and Plattsburgh took the High Noon Trophy. With three of the four crews wearing the gold scarf, the unprecedented second consecutive Fairchild Trophy was won in 1976. The 528th BS was recognized as the "Best Bomb Squadron in SAC" in 1976 and earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1978.Until deactivation in 1991, the crews of the 528th Bomb Suadron have achieved an enviable record by successfully participating in numerous special missions such as Bullet Blitz, Red Flag and Giant Mask. The unprecedented winning of five Fairchild Trophies speaks for itself. Only a unit with the highest quality personnel could have accomplished this sustained effort.
The 529th Bombardment Squadron's long and distinguished history came to an end on the last day of September 1991 during a deactivation ceremony at the Officer's Club at Plattsburgh AFB, NY. The squadron took part in World War II and flew B-47s during some of the chilliest years of the 'Cold War'. Finally, the 529th has served the Air force as part of the 380th Bombardment Wing, assisting the wing in fulfilling its primary mission, constant readiness for war. The 529th was created at Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz. in November 1942 for service in World War II. The 529th moved one month later to Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, for extensive flight training in the B-24 "Liberator". Lowry Field was the final stop for the squadron before deploying to Australia in April 1943. The 529th was based to Long-Strip in the Northern Territory, while its parent group, the 380th was based 100 miles away at Fenton Field. The 529th, along with the rest of the group, was assigned the task to defend Australia against threatened Japanese invasion. From northern Australia, the 529th could strike the many Japanese strongholds in the Netherlands East Indies. Primary targets included Japanese oil refineries, dock facilities and supply lines. This campaign ended in February 1945 when the 529th moved its base of operations to San Jose, Mindoro, Philippine Islands. From there, the 529th participated in the neutralization of Formosa and the first heavy bomber strikes in China and French Indo-China. The 529th focused its weight of effort on Japanese facilities in cities such as Canton, Hong Kong, Saigon and the airfields of Formosa.
After a two-year period as a reserve unit , the 529th was put back into active service in July 1955. The squadron was assigned to the 380th Bombardment Wing at a new Strategic Air Command base, Plattsburgh AFB, NY. Because the base facilities were incomplete, the unit was sent on temporary duty to Pinecastle AFB, Fla. for training on the B-47. On 27 January 1956, Lt.Col. Herbert W.Reingardt, 529th BS commander, was at the controls of the 380th Bomb Wing's first B-47 to launch from Pinecastle. The first B-47 to land at Plattsburgh AFB was flown by a crew of the 529th on 21 March 1956, and upon landing was christened "The City of Plattsburgh". The rest of the squadron arrived at Plattsburgh in the middle of June as construction was completed and members began the training that made the unit ready to take part of the Strategic Air Command deterrence mission. The 529th remained on active duty until the B-47 was phased out and on 1 Paril 1966, the squadron was again deactivated. It remained inactive until 1 January 1971 and was again assigned to the 380th BW with the Air Force's newest weapon system, the General Dynamics FB-111A. With this aircraft, the squadron remained with the 380th at Plattsburgh AFB until deactivation on the last day of September 1991. The 529th has been a major contributor to the wide recognition and praise that the 380th has received from all parts of the Air Force and civilian communities. Most noteworthy of these accomplishments was the winning of four consecutive Fairchild trophies, awarded to the best wing in the annual SAC Bombing and Navigation competition.
It was through the dedication of its people that the 529th was able to sustain an outstanding record over the years. Lt.Col. Lou Buckner, 529th BS's commander, paid this tribute to the 529th at the deactivation ceremony, " To the hundreds of valiant men and women who fought the war while serving in the 529th, I can offer this; that on the door of the room where the 529th rests, we place a sign that reads, 'Here lies the brave 529th, who rest sleeplessly, and waits for its call to glory.'"
Alert shelters at Plattsburgh AFB
The 530th Strategic Bombardment Training Squadron was activated at Plattsburgh AFB on 1 July 1986. The unit was previously the 530th Bombardment Squadron and part of the 380th BW until inactivated on 25 June 1966. The squadron had been activated at Plattsburgh AFB, NY in July 1955 and performed ground training until January 1956 when the squadron received its first B-47s. The 530th participated in operations and exercises of the Strategic Air Command until 1965. The 530th BS deployed with the 380th BW to England from April to June 1957. Crews and aircraft from the 530th BS participated in oversea Reflex Action B-47 alert in England from January 1959 until March 1965. The squadron lost its aircraft in December 1965 and was not operational thereafter. The 530th BS was inactivated on 25 June 1966.
Soon after being activated as the 530th SBTS, the squadron was redesignated as the 530th Combat Crew Training Squadron, effective on 1 January 1987. On 30 April 1987, Lt Col. Michael C. McMahan assumed command of the 530th CCTS. In 1987, the unit was recommended for its fifth Award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for exceptionally meritorious service from 1 July1986 to 30 June 1987. The previous four were accorded to the 4007th CCTS until redesignated the 530th SBTS.
The following is the narrative justification for the award to the 530th CCTS: The 530th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) qualified for the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award by clearly leading the way in developing the full potential of its people while accomplishing the unit mission of training aircrews to fly the FB-111A, still the most task-demanding bomber in the Air Force, during the period 1 July 1986 to 30 June 1987. During this period, the number of aircrews graduating from the Initial Qualification Course (IQC) increased 58 percent and the number graduating from the Requalification/Difference Training course, for previously experienced F/FB-111 crew members, was 190 percent of forecast. This increased production by the 530th brought the critically manned SAC FB-111A force up to 110 percent authorized manning from 80 percent. This wall all accomplished without any additional instructor authorizations, resources, or time. In fact, the 530th CCTS was manned at only 75 percent during this period. Faced with the ever-decreasing experience level of the trainees in the IQC and CFIC, due to SAC emphasis on a younger and more stable crew force, the 530th CCTS adapted its training programs to the people. Flight and simulator profiles as well as academics courses were modified to meet the student's and instructor's candidates needs while the high standards expected of the 530th CCTS graduates remained unchanged. The number of instructor candidates graduating from the CFIC did not increase over the previous years, however, the course was lengthened 42 percent to compensate for the lower experience level of the candidates. The 530th CCTS's instructors successfully met the challenge and trained the new FB-111A aircrews and instructors candidates to the same proficiency as their more experienced predecessors. The 530th not only produced top-notch aviators for the FB-111A, it also added to SAC's deterrent force by maintaining six combat-ready instructor crews who augmented the wing's tactical squadrons in support of the Emergency War Order (EWO) mission and maintained currency in conventional weapons delivery. Instructor crews further developed their own potential by participating in exercises such as Giant Armor, Red Flag, Maple Flag, Amalgam Brave, and this wing's ORI. Additionally, the instructor crews completed 100 percent of their own ground training and flying requirements in the midst of the increased work load. The 530th further developed the instructor's expertise to the benefit of both instructors and students by sending them to schools such as Squadron Officer School, SAC Tactics School, SAC Instrument Flight Course and the SAC Scheduling School. The squadron encouraged further professional development of its instructor cadre by insuring time was available for PME and advanced degree course work, resulting in completion or enrollment in the appropriate level of PME and advanced degree course work by 100 percent of the instructor force. Attesting to the superior performance of the 530th CCTS was "Outstanding" rating received from the 1st Combat Evaluation Group (1CEVG). Flawless job knowledge testing and flying performances ensured this top rating during the evaluation. The squadron's performance was equally impressive when it received an "Excellent" during the 1987 Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). During this ORI, Strategic Air Command Inspector General team members, including a member of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff praised the 530th CCTS combat mission training as the best in the command. They called it "a product that was developed with a thorough knowledge of adversary threat capabilities/employment coupled with the latest tactics and techniques". The 530th CCTS not only led the way in combat training but in peacetime training as well. The squadron was responsible for continuing an unprecedented F/FB-111A flying safety record for the 380th Bombardment Wing, over six years without a class A mishap. The squadron's leadership in this area was recognized by its receipt of the award for "Best Flying Safety Program in 8th Air Force". The 530th CCTS unparalleled utilization of human resources, both in developing the full potential of its people and in accomplishing its mission, not only adds immeasurably to the combat readiness of the United States Air Force, it also qualifies it for the receipt of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
380th OMS, Plattsburgh AFB.