429th Bombardment Squadron | |
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Emblem of the 429th Bombardment Squadron |
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Active | 1917-1962 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Bombardment |
The 429th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 2d Bombardment Wing, based at Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia. It was inactivated on 1 January 1962.
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Established in June 1917 as the Air Service 41st Aero Squadron at Camp Kelly, Texas as part of the United States' mobilization after it's entry into World War I. . After several months of routine training and garrison duties, deployed to Europe and it became operationally ready as a pursuit squadron in Second Army just as hostilities ceased in November 1918; never saw action; served with Third Army as part of occupation forces, April-May 1919. Demobilized in July.
Re-established as a pilot training squadron in 1922 at Kelly Field. Taught basic flight training throughout the 1920s and early 1930s using a variety of trainers; switching to advanced flight training in 1931. In 1935 reassigned to Langley Field, Virginia and was re-equipped with Martin B-10 bombers, being redesignated as a reconnaissance squadron. Performed training flights primarily over the mid-Atlantic area; later receiving B-18 Bolos in 1937 and early-model B-17C/D Flying Fortress heavy bombers.
After the Pearl Harbor Attack, initially assigned to antisubmarine duty over the Atlantic Coast; deploying in early 1943 to Twelfth Air Force in North Africa. Engaged in long-range strategic bombing missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) 1943-1945. Missions flown included bombing such targets as marshalling yards, airdromes, troop concentrations, bridges, docks, and shipping. Participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, April-May 1943; the reduction of Pantelleria and the preparations for the invasion of Sicily, May-July 1943; and the invasion of Italy, September 1943.
Moved to Italy in December 1943 and continued operations as part of Fifteenth Air Force. Operated primarily from Amendola Air Base in Foggia. Engaged primarily in long-range bombardment of strategic targets in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania, and Greece. Participated in the drive toward Rome, January-June 1944; the invasion of Southern France, August 1944, and the campaigns against German forces in northern Italy, June 1944-May 1945. Inactivated in Italy in early 1946.
The squadron was activated in 1958 as a result of Strategic Air Command phasing out the B-47, and additional squadrons were activated as part of the consolation of Stratojet wings, and the replacement of the B-47 by B-52 Stratofortresses. In March 1961, President John F. Kennedy directed that the phaseout of the B-47 be accelerated. and the squadron was inactivated on 1 January 1962 as part of the drawdown of the USAF B-47 force.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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