Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 4.0 inch-100mm
346th TEST SQUADRON (ACC)
Lineage. Constituted as 346 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 1 Jun 1942. Redesignated as 346 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 29 Sep 1944. Inactivated on 8 Nov 1945. Redesignated as 346 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 13 May 1947. Activated in the Reserve on 29 May 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Redesignated as 346 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Heavy, and activated, on 1 Jan 1953. Redesignated as 346 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 1 Oct 1955. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1974. Redesignated as 346 Test and Evaluation Squadron on 1 Jun 1993. Activated on 15 Jun 1993. Inactivated on 21 Sep 1995. Redesignated as 346 Test Squadron on 17 Jul 2000. Activated on 1 Aug 2000-.
Assignments. 99 Bombardment Group, 1 Jun 1942-8 Nov 1945. 99 Bombardment Group, 29 May 1947-27 Jun 1949. 99 Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 99 Bombardment) Wing, 1 Jan 1953-31 Mar 1974. 99 Test Group, 15 Jun 1993-21 Sep 1995. 318 Information Operations (later, 318 Cyberspace Operations) Group, 1 Aug 2000-.
Stations. Orlando AB, FL, 1 Jun 1942; MacDill Field, FL, 1 Jun 1942; Pendleton Field, OR, 29 Jun 1942; Gowen Field, ID, 28 Aug 1942; Walla Walla, WA, 25 Sep 1942; Sioux City AAB, IA, 18 Nov 1942-3 Jan 1943; Navarin, Algeria, 16 Mar 1943; Oudna, Tunisia, 5 Aug 1943; Tortorella Airfield, Italy, c. 13 Dec 1943; Marcianise, Italy, c. 27 Oct-8 Nov 1945. Birmingham Muni Aprt, AL, 29 May 1947-27 Jun 1949. Fairchild AFB, WA, 1 Jan 1953 (deployed at Andersen AFB, Guam, 29 Jan-28 Apr 1956); Westover AFB, MA, 4 Sep 1956-31 Mar 1974. Ellsworth AFB, SD, 15 Jun 1993-21 Sep 1995. Kelly AFB (later, Kelly Fld Annex, Lackland AFB; Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland), TX, 1 Aug 2000-.
Operations. Combat in MTO and ETO, 31 Mar 1943-26 Apr 1945. Activated in the reserves from 1947 to 1949, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped. Reactivated in Jan 1953 in the Strategic Reconnaissance role, then assumed the mission, personnel, and RB-36 strategic reconnaissance aircraft of the 111th Wing, 103d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, which returned to the MD ANG. Engaged in worldwide strategic bombardment training and stood nuclear alert until 1956 when the B-36 was retired. Reequipped with B-52 and continued training and nuclear alert status. Deployed personnel and aircraft to Pacific during Vietnam War, engaging in Operation Arc Light combat missions over North Vietnam; also deployed personnel and aircraft to Thailand flying out of U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield for combat missions over Cambodia and Laos. Performed operational test and evaluation for Air Combat Command systems. Reactivated in 2000 in the Cyber defense role, began participating in a joint project of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center and Twenty-Fourth Air Force to protect Air Force industrial control systems against attacks from external sources.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive Europe; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Sicily, 5 Jul 1943; Austria, 23 Apr 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device: 2-21 Mar and 15-31 Mar 1970. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Oct 1967-1 Mar 1968; 2 Mar-1 Apr 1968; 1 Jul 1971-30 Jun 1972; 1 Jun 2008-31 May 2009; 18 Aug 2009-1 Oct 2010; 2 Oct 2010-30 Sep 2011; 1 Oct 2013-30 Sep 2014. Air Force Organizational Excellence Award: 1 Jun 2003-31 May 2004. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 2 Mar 1969-31 Mar 1970.
Emblem. Approved on 7 Nov 2000.