Ltc Richard Goddard and other members of the 393rs BS with their mascot in 1982. (via Jack Christensen)
No squadron in the USAF played a more dynamic role in causing a decisive victory and lasting peace from World War II than the 393d Bomb Squadron (BS). The squadron has a proud history that started in 1944.The formation of the 393 BS began when the Army Air Forces (AAF) constituted the squadron as the 393d Bombardment Squadron on 28 February 1944. The AAF then activated the 393 BMS on 11 March 1944 and assigned it to the 504th Bombardment Group at Dalhart Army Air Field (AAFld), Texas. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Classen became the first commander. However, fate intervened as Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., selected the newly formed unit to participate in a very special mission. Thus, on 14 September 1944, the squadron moved to Wendover Field, Utah, and began training on the massive B-29. On 8 October 1944, Colonel Tibbets took formal command of the unit and began preparing it for its unique mission. On 17 December 1944, the Army Air Forces created the 509th Composite Group and assigned the squadron to this new unit. Colonel Tibbets became commander of the group after turning command of the squadron back to Colonel Classen. Meanwhile, training on the B-29s had progressed enough that the squadron began moving to its new overseas home. Accordingly, the unit moved to North Field, Tinian, the Marianas, on 26 April 1945. The squadron officially arrived at the field on 30 May 1945. Soon, it began flying a series of missions consisting of two or three B-29s. Each bomber carried one large, orange colored bomb that they dropped on targets throughout Japan. These projectiles added realism to the missions as they emulated the flight characteristics of an atomic bomb.By early August 1945, the group and the squadron were ready to perform their special mission. In the early morning hours of 6 August 1945, Colonel Tibbets took off from North Field flying the B-29 the Enola Gay. The aircraft flew over Hiroshima, Japan, and released a very large bomb. Within seconds, a huge mushroom cloud engulfed the city. The Atomic Age had begun. Even after this startling show of power, the Japanese Empire still refused to surrender. Hence, three days later, another 393 BMS B-29 took off loaded with a second special bomb. Major Charles W. Sweeney, the 393 BMS Commander, flew the B-29 Bock's Car, over Nagasaki to deliver another devastating blow. A few short days later, the Japanese sued for peace. In short order, the greatest conflict in mankind's history had ended. The squadron remained at North Field until 17 October 1945 when the 509th returned to the United States. They immediately proceeded to their new home, Roswell AAFld (later renamed Walker AFB), New Mexico. Because of its expertise with the atomic bombs, the unit became the core organization for what would become the most powerful military force on earth, the Strategic Air Command (SAC), when the command was created on 21 March 1946.The squadron remained at Roswell until the Army Air Force directed the 509th to Kwajalein, the Marshall Islands, for Operation Crossroads, an atomic explosion test. Although the squadron didn't drop the bomb, it waited in reserve as a back-up to its sister squadron, the 715 BMS. After the squadron returned to Walker AFB, it continued to fly and train in B-29s. In 1952, two major events occurred. First, the 393d welcomed a new aircraft, the B-50. Next, the 393 BMS was reassigned directly to the 509th Bombardment Wing following the inactivation of the ow called 509th Bombardment Group. In 1955, the unit pioneered a new chapter when it began receiving SAC's all-jet bomber, the B-47. In the late 1950s, change was in the air for the personnel of the 393 BMS. In 1958, the squadron, along with the 509th Bombardment Wing, moved with personnel and equipment to Pease AFB, New Hampshire. For the next seven years, the squadron flew and trained from Pease. In 1965, SAC announced the squadron would inactivate following phase-out of the B-47s from the Air Force. However, fate intervened again as SAC decided to keep both the 393d and the 509th active. The command began sending B-52s to the 393d to replace the aging B-47s. Thus, the squadron officially received its first B-52 on 23 March 1966. In November 1966, several crews and aircraft from the 393d deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam. While there, the squadron's representatives participated in Vietnam ARC LIGHT operations. However, an urgent need for the bombers in the war prompted SAC to deploy all 393 BMS crews and aircraft to Andersen in April 1968. During the six month stay, the squadron's personnel participated in many bombing missions. A year later, SAC issued the call and once again, the 393d's aircraft and personnel went to Southeast Asia. During this latter tour, SAC announced the 393d had been selected as the command's first FB-111A squadron. In preparation for arrival of the medium bomber, the squadron released its last B-52 on 19 November 1969. Even so, it was over a year before the first FB-111 landed at Pease. During flight line ceremonies on 16 December 1970, the 393d received its first FB-111. For the next several years, 393 BMS crews and aircraft pioneered tactics for the FB-111A deployment of the Short Range Attack Missile. In the mid-1980s, the squadron hit its stride as it helped the 509 BMW wing virtually every major bomber award in Eighth Air Force and SAC. These achievements included winning SAC's Bombing/Navigation Competition for three consecutive years (1981-1983).
Ltc Richard Goddard and other members of the 393rs BS with their mascot in 1982. (via Jack Christensen)
In the late 1980s SAC announced retirement of the FB-111s from its inventory. This raised a question mark about the future of the 509th and its squadrons. However, on 30 November 1988, SAC announced that the 509 BMW would move to Whiteman AFB, Missouri, to become the Air Force's first B-2 Stealth Bomber unit. The command further directed that the 393 BMS become the first operational B-2 squadron in the Air Force. In preparation for this distinction, SAC inactivated the 393 BMS along with numerous other 509th squadrons on 30 September 1990. From that date until 12 March 1993. At that time, the Air Force renamed the squadron as the 393d Bomb Squadron. Then, on 27 August 1993, the squadron activated at Whiteman AFB and became a part of the 509th Operations Group. Over the next several months, the 393d prepared for another rendezvous with history. On 17 December 1993, that rendezvous became reality when the first B-2 Advanced Technology Bomber, nicknamed the "Spirit of Missouri," arrived at Whiteman.Over the next several years, more and more B-2s arrived as the 393d and the 509th strove to bring the bomber on line. That concept became a reality when, on 1 January 1997, the Air Force declared the 509th (and the 393d) as ready to assume a conventional bombing role. Four months later, on 1 April 1997, the squadron's efforts again paid dividends when the Air Force decreed Initial Operational Capability for the 509th and the B-2. Within two short years, members of the 393d would again prove their mettle as the unit tasted combat for the first time in almost 30 years. On 24 March 1999, the 393d Tigers played a key role in taking the B-2 into its first combat engagement when two of the aircraft attacked targets in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. The 393d Tigers would participate in and support the attacks until the end of hostilities. Thus, the 393d Bomb Squadron, one of the most historic units in the Air Force, looked towards fulfilling the promise of the revolutionary B-2 era.
The 715th Bombardment Squadron began its life during the hectic days of World War II. On 6 April 1943, the Army Air Force constituted (created) the unit. Less than one month later, the unit was activated (personnel assigned) on 1 May 1943 and assigned to the 448th Bombardment Group (BG) located at Gowen Field, Idaho. The squadron began training in the B-24 Liberator almost immediately and spent its first year traveling from base to base. On 4 July 1943, the squadron moved to Wendover Field, Utah where it remained for several months. Then, on 16 September 1943, it transferred to Sioux City Army Air Base, Iowa, to prepare for movement overseas. Less than a month later, the squadron, as part of the 448 BG, left Sioux City for Seething, England. A twenty day travel period ensued before the squadron arrived in England on 29 November 1943. Once at Seething, the squadron didn't wait long to get into combat. On 22 December 1943, the B-24s of the 715 BMS roared into the skies and attacked their first target, the railroad yards and various manufacturing buildings at Osnabruck, Germany. The squadron continued to hone its combat skills throughout the remainder of 1943 and into 1944. Targets included airfields, aircraft factories, oil refineries and V-weapons installations. On 6 March 1944, the squadron participated in the first large bombing attack on Berlin, Germany. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the squadron supported the invasion by attacking coastal defenses and choke points at Pointe et Raz de la Percee, Caen, and Coutances, France. During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the squadron bombed targets at Euskirchen, Germany, to help Allied ground forces stem the German counteroffensive. Finally, the end of the war was in sight and the 715th flew its last combat mission. On 25 April 1945, the squadron bombed a railroad marshaling yard at Salzburg, Austria. Within two months, the squadron began returning to the United States, arriving at Sioux Falls Army Air Field (AAFld), South Dakota on 15 July 1945.
For a time, it appeared that the Army Air Force didn't know what to do with the 448 BG and the 715 BMS. After a short stay at Sioux Falls, the squadron moved to McCook AAFld, Nebraska, on 25 July 1945. Here, the squadron was reorganized as a B-29 organization. Then, on 23 August 1945, the squadron transferred to Biggs Field, Texas, and then back to McCook on 8 September 1945. During this time, four squadron B-29s participated in a flyover ceremony at Washington, D.C., honoring General of the Army George C. Marshall's retirement from military service on 25 November 1945. A move to Fort Worth AAFld, Texas, on 15 December 1945 followed.In 1946, a major change was in store for the squadron. Specifically, the squadron left the 448 BG for a new unit, the 509th Composite (later, Bombardment) Group on 6 May 1946. The 509th gained fame during World War II after dropping two atomic bombs on Japan to end the war. With the new assignment, the 715th moved to the 509th's home, Roswell AAFld, New Mexico (later, Walker AFB). The reassignment took place on 23 June 1946. The squadron received two different types of aircraft in the 1950s. On 23 June 1950, the squadron began swapping its B-29s for B-50s. Five years later, on 10 June 1955, the squadron began receiving SAC's first all-jet bomber, the B-47. Another change was on the horizon for the 715 BMS and the 509th Bombardment Wing (BMW), however. On 15 July 1958, the wing and squadron began moving from Walker AFB to a new home, Pease AFB, North Hampshire. By 1 August of the same year, the move had been completed. For the next several years, the squadron continued flying its B-47s from Pease. Unfortunately, the squadron's time was limited. By the mid-1960s, the B-47 was being phased out as the newer and more advanced B-52s came on line. For a time, the 509th faced extinction. However, last minute changes at SAC saved the wing yet sealed the fate of the 715th. The wing was scheduled to receive only one squadron of B-52s. SAC had made thedecision to equip the 715th's sister squadron, the 393d BMS with the bombers. With no mission for the 715th to perform, the squadron was discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1966. While the 509th went through its B-52 years, the 715 BMS remaine inactive. Fortunately for the squadron, this era in 509th history didn't last long. In 1969, SAC announced that the 509th would become its first operational FB-111 unit. Since Pease would soon be awash with the medium bombers, the wing would need two bomber squadrons to control its resources.
Photos of the 715th BMS provided by Jack Johnson.
Thus, on 1 January 1970, SAC formally activated the 715 BMS and once again assigned it to the 509th. On 16 January 1971, the first FB-111 arrived at Pease and in the days that followed, more and more of the medium bombers arrived at Pease. On 1 July of the same year, the wing and its squadrons were declared operationally ready. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the 715th accomplished many significant feats. From the first successful live launch of a Short Range Attack Missile from an FB-111, through its many bombing successes in SAC's annual bombing and navigation competitions, to the first tactical force employment of an FB-111A in the conventional role, the 715th has been integral to the victories of the 509 BMW.
In the 1980s, more changes were becoming reality as SAC began transferring its FB-111As to the Tactical Air Command (TAC). A short time after this announcement, the Air Force decided to close Pease. Recognizing the uniqueness of the 509th and its squadrons in bomber lore, SAC selected the wing to become the first operational B-2 Stealth Bomber unit. The command also selected the 715th to become the combat crew training squadron for the B-2 (although as time passed and with the reduction in the number of B-2s, higher headquarters decided that the 715th would remain as a bomb squadron). Because a several year gap existed between the transfer of the FB-111s to TAC and the arrival of the first B-2, SAC opted to inactive many of the 509th's squadrons. Thus, on 30 September 1990, as the 509 BMW moved to the first home of the B-2, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, the 715th and other 509th squadrons were inactivated.
(Members of the 715th Squadron, 1982-1983. Photo courtesy of David Waterman.)
The first NATO Tiger Meet was held at RAF Woodbridge on 19 July 1961 in England. The first Tigers were only three and each one represented the air force of their country; the United States, the United Kingdom and France. The basic idea of a Tiger Meet arose in 1960 with the pilots of the 79th TFS, USAFE, at RAF Woodbridge whom had firm ties with the pilots of the RAF No.74 sqdn based at Coltishall, England. Conscious of the common pride in their tiger badge,they decided to organize an annual meeting of pilots and ground crews of both squadrons. Searching for more squadrons with a common emblem, the third member was found across the Channel in France with E.C.1/12 "Cambresis" and then was born the NATO Tiger Meet. Objectives of the Tiger Meets were: promotion of NATO solidarity, achieving and maintaining firmer professional and personal relations among NATO personnel, creating a better understanding of NATO military goals and problems between partners of the alliance.
Flying the F-111E from RAF Upper Heyford, the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron was one of the founding members and was joined by the 393rd Bomb Squadron from the 509th BMW at Pease AFB, NH in 1978. In July 1978, the 393rd BMS deployed one FB-111A to the Tiger Meet 78 taking place at Keine-Brogel AB in Belgium. The FB-111A 68-0247 flown by Jake Mentz and Doug Kohlhepp was given tiger stripes on its tail with automobile paint and a SAC milky way banner from a missile was applied across the nose. The pilot and navigator had their names painted below the cockpit. The crew chief and his assistant for 0247 were Dave Geldert and Russ Currier.
Their second and last participation took place during the 27th Annual Tiger Meet held at B.A.6, Montijo, Portugal in June 1987. The 509th BMW deployed 44 people and three Tiger-stripped FB-111A. On 22 June, the three FBs crewed by the 393rd BMS left Pease AFB for Kleine-Brogel AB, Belgium and flew the next day to Montijo AB where they met the maintenance personnel already in place. The next seven days were filled with non-stop action. Each day, the crews from the 393rd BS flew conventional training sorties, dropping MK-106 practice bombs over local ranges, and formation sorties with other participating aircraft such as Canadian CF-18s, German Alpha Jets and Portuguese G-91s fighter-bombers. When the flying was done for the day, social activities began and included a formal dinner, a reception for NATO military attaches and a flight suit party on the base. The biggest event of the week was certainly the Open House which coincided with the 35th anniversary of the Portuguese Air Force. Over 50 aircraft were on display, including one FB-111A, for a crowd of 250,000. Simulated attack of the field and high performance demo flights also took place. The Tiger Meet ended on 30 June and the next day, the three 393rd BMS crews flew to RAF Lakenheath for a night's stay before continuing to Pease AFB. The week was a huge success for the 509th BMW and the 393rd BMS.In 1981, the Tiger Meet was held at Bitburg AB, Germany. Major Richard Young, 393rd Bomb Squadron 'C' Flight commander participated in this 21st annual meet. Without and FB-111A, Major Young was the only 393rd Bomb Squadron member able to particpate that year.
Tiger Meet 87, Montijo AB, Portugal. 393rd BS participants.
393rd BMS: Lt.Col.Jerry A.Gossner, Lt.Col.Kenneth C.Anderson, Lt.Col.David L.Astle, Capt.David G.Gibbs, Capt.James F.McGinley, Capt.Randy J.Nunley, Capt.Patrick J.O'Connor, Capt.Robert J.Ott Jr, Capt.Greg L.Schuman, Capt.Thomas H.Shafer, Capt.Jim Thompson, Capt.Brian P.Young;
509th OMS: Lt.David B.Milner jr, CMSgt.William B.Scannnell, SSgt.James B.Konstenius, TSgt.Guy J.Nadeau, SSgt.William R.Weaver Jr, SSgt. Douglas W. Pechal, Sgt.David W.Hickling, SSgt.Roy J. Ouelette, SSgt.John V.Barrs, SSgt.Mark Sadler, TSgt.Harry N.Stone Jr, SSgt. Robert W.Smith, TSgt. Victor K.Walden, Sgt. Steven W.Magee, SSgt. Ricky G.Pierce, SSgt.Bertrand L.Simard, SSgt.Raymond L.Burby, SSgt.Thomas A.Darcy, Sgt.Dennis M.Webb, SSgt.Waymond F.Scott, TSgt.Carlton G.Smith;
509th FMS: SSgt.Daniel Collabolletta, SSgt.Paul R.Bouchard, Sgt.Marshall D.Rader Jr, TSgt.Gerard M.Young;
509th Supply: MSgt.Malcom D.Crockett;
509th MMS: MSgt.Michael Schllace, SSgt.Daniel J.Mahony, SSgt.Thomas l.Bradley, Sgt.MarkL.Croke;
509th Trans.: Sgt.Joseph H.Kelley;
509th BMW: Sgt.Matthew J.Collier;
509th FMS: MSgt.Willie M.French jr, TSgt.David S.Kessen, SSgt.Robert B.George, SSgt.Keith C.Eskeli, A1C Shawn P.Carothers, Amn.Gary E.Terry.
