616th Bombardment Squadron

The 616th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was a U.S. Army Air Force bombardment squadron formed as part of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

Contents 1 History 2 Lineage 3 Assignments 4 Stations 5 Aircraft 6 Operations 7 References 8 Endnotes

History

The squadron's members were involved in the civil rights action referred to as the Freeman Field Mutiny; the "mutiny" came about when African-American aviators became outraged enough by racial segregation in the military that they resorted to mass insistence that military regulations prohibiting discrimination be enforced. The Freeman Field Mutiny was a crucial event in the African-American struggle for equal civil rights.^[1]

Lineage

The squadron was formed originally on 13 May 1943. It was activated on 1 June 1943. It was inactivated on 25 August 1943. It was reactivated on 15 January 1944. It was inactivated for the second and final time on 22 June 1945.^[2]

Assignments

The 616th Bombardment Squadron was one of four squadrons assigned to the 477th Bombardment Group^[3]

Stations

• MacDill Field, Florida: 1 June 1943 through 25 August 1943
• Selfridge Field, Michigan: 15 January through 5 May 1944
• Godman Field, Kentucky: 6 May through 18 June 1944
• Sturgis Army Airfield, Kentucky: 19 June through 19 July 1944
• Godman Field, Kentucky: 20 July 1944 through 4 March 1945
• Freeman Field, Indiana: 5 March 1945 through 26 April 1945
• Godman Field, Kentucky: 27 April through 22 June 1945^[4]

Aircraft

In 1943: Martin B-26 Marauder

In 1944 and 1945: North American B-25 Mitchell^[5]

Operations

The squadron did not complete its training before war's end.^[6]

References

• Maurer, Maurer, editor. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force: World War 2. USAF Historical Division. Air University. Department of the Air Force. 1969, ISBN unknown
• Moye, J. Todd. Freedom Flyers: The Tuskeegee Airmen of World War II. New York: Oxford University Press (USA), 2010. ISBN 978-0-19-538655-4.

Endnotes