Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 3.0 inch-77mm
69th Bomb Squadron (ACC)
Lineage. Constituted as 69 Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Redesignated as 69 Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 19 Sep 1944. Inactivated on 10 May 1946. Redesignated as 69 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 19 Feb 1953. Activated on 25 Feb 1953. Redesignated as 69 Bomb Squadron on 1 Sept 1991. Inactivated on 31 Dec 1993. Activated on 3 Sep 2009.
Assignments. 38 Bombardment Group, 15 Jan 1941; 42 Bombardment Group; 26 Feb 1943-10 May 1946. 42 Bombardment Wing, 25 Feb 1953; 42 Operations Group, 1 Sep 1991-31 Dec 1993. 5 Operations Group, 3 Sep 2009-.
Stations. Langley Field, VA, 15 Jan 1941; Jackson AAB, MS, c. 5 Jun 1941-19 Jan 1942; Doomben Field, Australia, 25 Feb 1942; Ballarat, Australia, 8 Mar 1942; Amberley Field, Australia, 30 Apr 1942; New Caledonia, 20 May 1942 (air echelon at Hickam Field, TH, 22 May-c. 18 Jun 1942); New Hebrides, 7 Dec 1942; Guadalcanal, 9 Feb 1943; New Caledonia, Jul 1943 (air echelon operated from Guadalcanal, Jul-20 Oct 1943); Russell Islands, 10 Nov 1943; Stirling Island, 19 Feb 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, 23 Aug 1944; Sansapor, New Guinea, 14 Sep 1944 (air echelon operated from Morotai, 23 Feb-c. 22 Mar 1945); Puerto Princesa, Palawan, 15 Mar 1945; Itami, Japan, 31 Jan-10 May 1946. Limestone (later Loring) AFB, ME, 25 Feb 1953-31 Dec 1993. Minot AFB, ND, 3 Sep 2009-.
Aircraft. B-18, 1941; PT-17, 1941; B-26, 1941-1943; B-25, 1942-1946; A-26, 1946. B-36, 1953-1956; B-52, 1956-1993. B-52, 2009-.
Operations. Sea-search missions, Jun-Dec 1942; combat in South and Southwest Pacific, 1 Jan 1943-21 Jul 1944, and in Southwest and Western Pacific, 5 Sep 1944-14 Aug 1945. After activation in Feb 1953, initiated training of assigned crews to obtain combat ready proficiency for the conduct of long-range offensive bombardment operations in any part of the world. In 1954, portions of the squadron deployed to Upper Heyford and Burtonwood, United Kingdom, and again with the rest of the wing to Upper Heyford, 18 Oct-18 Nov 1955. Began conversion to B-52 bombers in Feb 1956. Deployed to Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico while runway repairs were made at Loring AFB, 10 Jul-5 Oct 1959. In Sep 1960, received the GAM-77 (AGM-28) Hound Dog, a supersonic, jet powered, air-launched cruise missile as a stand-off weapon for the B-52. In Apr 1961, received the GAM-72 (ADM-20) Quail, a subsonic, jet powered, air-launched decoy cruise missile. From 1968 to 1975, deployed aircraft and crews to Anderson AFB, Guam, for Operation ARC LIGHT, the use of B-52s to drop conventional bombs on enemy troop concentrations in South Vietnam. Began operational testing of the AGM-69A Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM) in 1972. Participated in strategic and tactical exercises worldwide and sea surveillance training after 1975. Assumed conventional mission only in 1989. In Aug 1990, deployed B-52s to Diego Garcia to support Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. Won the 1980 Major James F. Bartsch Electronic Countermeasures Trophy, the 1982 General Russell E. Dougherty Trophy for the best score in simulated SRAM exercises, and the 1992 Crumm-Linebacker Trophy for high-altitude bombing at the respective Strategic Air Command Bombing and Navigation Competitions. Last B-52 departed Loring on 18 Nov 1993. Provided nuclear deterrence forces and conducted conventional missions as directed since 3 Sep 2009.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Guadalcanal; China Defensive; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon, Southern Philippines; China Offensive. Gulf War: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Balikpapan, Borneo, 23-30 Jun 1945. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1974-30 Jun 1975; 1 Jul 1982-30 Jun 1984; 1 Jul 1986-30 Jun 1988; 1 Jan 1992-31 Dec 1993. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation: 7 Dec 1941-10 May 1942, 17 Oct 1944-4 Jul 1945.
Emblem. Approved on 20 Jan 1945.