31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (31 TES) is a United States Air Force
unit, assigned to the 53d Test and Evaluation Group
, 53d Wing
, Air Combat Command
.. It is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base
, California
.
The squadron
was initially organized on 26 June 1917 as the 31st Aero Squadron, a part of the Army Signal Corps. 31 TES served in combat during both World Wars, as well as the Korean War
.
, in addition to monitoring and participating in operational test and evaluation at Edwards AFB. The 31TES provides testing and evaluation of weapons systems, as well as training for officers from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
and Air Force Materiel Command
.
, under the command of 1st Lieutenant John E. Rossel. A part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, it received personnel from First Company, B Provisional Battalion. The squadron served in France during World War I under a series of commanders, the most notable of which was Captain Carl "Tooey" Spaatz
, who would later go on to become the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
. Following the war, the squadron was deactivated.
On 1 April 1931, the redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron was activated at March Field, California. The 31st left for Hickam Field, Hawaii on 1 February 1938, becoming the first bombardment unit to be based there. On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
and Hickam Field, and all of the squadron's B-18 Bolo
bomber
aircraft were either damaged or destroyed. Refitted with B-17 heavy bomber
s, the squadron was assigned to the 7th Air Force and relocated to Kipapa Gulch, Oahu
. During the course of the War, the 31st took part in numerous battles in the Pacific campaign
, including the Battle of Midway
, as well as the Solomon Islands campaign
, Bougainville Campaign, New Guinea Campaign
, Operation Hailstone
, Philippines Campaign, and Borneo Campaign
.
After World War II
, the squadron was redesignated the 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. A part of the Far East Air Forces, it served throughout the Pacific and Korea
on B-29 and RB-29 bombers.
During the Korean War
, the squadron's primary mission included electronic counter measures and bomb-damage assessment photography. Operating out of Japan for greater efficiency, the squadron began flying combat missions on 29 June 1950. On 18 October 1950, a crew spied over 75 enemy fighter planes at Antung Airfield, across the Yalu River
, immediately prior to the Chinese intervention. In 1950 the squadron returned to the United States and was assigned to the 5th Strategic Recon Wing at Travis AFB, California, whereupon it switched to flight RB-36s. The 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron assumed the duties of the 31st.
In 1955 the squadron was redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) being equipped with B-36Js and began standing nuclear alert. In 1960 was reassigned to SAC provisional 4126th Strategic Wing, being re-equipped with B-52G Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers. Was reassigned to Beale AFB, California
by SAC to disperse its heavy bomber force. Conducted worldwide strategic bombardment training missions and providing nuclear deterrent. Was inactivated in 1963 when SAC inactivated its provisional Strategic Wings, redesignating them permanent Air Force Wings. Squadron was inactivated with aircraft/personnel/equipment being redesignated 744th Bombardment Squadron
in an in-place, name-only transfer.
On 1 July 1986 it was once more reactivated at Edwards AFB, CA, and tasked to be the final inspection station of the Strategic Air Command
's new weapons systems.
31st Aero Squadron
31st Bombardment Squadron
31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
31st Bombardment Squadron (H)
.jpg)
31st Test & Evaluation Squadron
World War II: Philippine Islands 1941 1942, Central Pacific 1941 1943, Guadalcanal 1942 1943, New Guinea 1943 1944, Northern Solomons 1943 1944, Eastern Mandates 1944, Bismarck Archipelago 1943 1944, Western Pacific 1944 1945, Leyte 1944 1945, Luzon 1944 1945, Southern Philippines 1945, China Offensive 1945, Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater,
Korean War: UN Defensive 1950, UN Offensive 1950, CCF Intervention 1950–1951
Korean War:
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit, assigned to the 53d Test and Evaluation Group
53d Test and Evaluation Group
The 53d Test and Evaluation Group is a group of the United States Air Force. It is a part of the 53d Wing, and is headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The unit consists of seven squadrons, two detachments, and a named flight...
, 53d Wing
53d Wing
The 53d Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.-Mission:The 53d Wing serves as the focal point for the Combat Air Forces in electronic warfare, armament and avionics, chemical defense, reconnaissance, and aircrew training devices...
, Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command
Air Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
.. It is stationed at Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
was initially organized on 26 June 1917 as the 31st Aero Squadron, a part of the Army Signal Corps. 31 TES served in combat during both World Wars, as well as the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Mission
The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron performs flight testing for the Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, in addition to monitoring and participating in operational test and evaluation at Edwards AFB. The 31TES provides testing and evaluation of weapons systems, as well as training for officers from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center
Located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is a direct reporting unit of Headquarters, United States Air Force...
and Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
.
History
The 31st Aero Squadron was organized on 26 June 1917 at Kelly Field, San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, under the command of 1st Lieutenant John E. Rossel. A part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, it received personnel from First Company, B Provisional Battalion. The squadron served in France during World War I under a series of commanders, the most notable of which was Captain Carl "Tooey" Spaatz
Carl Spaatz
Carl Andrew "Tooey" Spaatz GBE was an American World War II general and the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He was of German descent.-Early life:...
, who would later go on to become the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Air Force, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Air Force, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the...
. Following the war, the squadron was deactivated.
On 1 April 1931, the redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron was activated at March Field, California. The 31st left for Hickam Field, Hawaii on 1 February 1938, becoming the first bombardment unit to be based there. On 7 December 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
and Hickam Field, and all of the squadron's B-18 Bolo
B-18 Bolo
The Douglas B-18 Bolo was a United States Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force bomber of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was built by Douglas Aircraft Company and based on its DC-2 and was developed to replace the Martin B-10....
bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
aircraft were either damaged or destroyed. Refitted with B-17 heavy bomber
Heavy bomber
A heavy bomber is a bomber aircraft of the largest size and load carrying capacity, and usually the longest range.In New START, the term "heavy bomber" is used for two types of bombers:*one with a range greater than 8,000 kilometers...
s, the squadron was assigned to the 7th Air Force and relocated to Kipapa Gulch, Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
. During the course of the War, the 31st took part in numerous battles in the Pacific campaign
Pacific Campaign
Pacific Campaign may refer to:* Pacific Campaign , fighting between the United States and Spain during the Spanish-American War...
, including the Battle of Midway
Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy decisively defeated...
, as well as the Solomon Islands campaign
Solomon Islands campaign
The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War of World War II. The campaign began with Japanese landings and occupation of several areas in the British Solomon Islands and Bougainville, in the Territory of New Guinea, during the first six months of 1942...
, Bougainville Campaign, New Guinea Campaign
New Guinea campaign
The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
, Operation Hailstone
Operation Hailstone
Operation Hailstone was a massive naval air and surface attack launched on February 17–18, 1944, during World War II by the United States Navy against the Japanese naval and air base at Truk in the Caroline Islands, a pre-war Japanese territory.-Background:Truk was a major Japanese logistical base...
, Philippines Campaign, and Borneo Campaign
Borneo campaign (1945)
The Borneo Campaign of 1945 was the last major Allied campaign in the South West Pacific Area, during World War II. In a series of amphibious assaults between 1 May and 21 July, the Australian I Corps, under General Leslie Morshead, attacked Japanese forces occupying the island. Allied naval and...
.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the squadron was redesignated the 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. A part of the Far East Air Forces, it served throughout the Pacific and Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
on B-29 and RB-29 bombers.
During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the squadron's primary mission included electronic counter measures and bomb-damage assessment photography. Operating out of Japan for greater efficiency, the squadron began flying combat missions on 29 June 1950. On 18 October 1950, a crew spied over 75 enemy fighter planes at Antung Airfield, across the Yalu River
Yalu River
The Yalu River or the Amnok River is a river on the border between North Korea and the People's Republic of China....
, immediately prior to the Chinese intervention. In 1950 the squadron returned to the United States and was assigned to the 5th Strategic Recon Wing at Travis AFB, California, whereupon it switched to flight RB-36s. The 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron assumed the duties of the 31st.
In 1955 the squadron was redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) being equipped with B-36Js and began standing nuclear alert. In 1960 was reassigned to SAC provisional 4126th Strategic Wing, being re-equipped with B-52G Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers. Was reassigned to Beale AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
by SAC to disperse its heavy bomber force. Conducted worldwide strategic bombardment training missions and providing nuclear deterrent. Was inactivated in 1963 when SAC inactivated its provisional Strategic Wings, redesignating them permanent Air Force Wings. Squadron was inactivated with aircraft/personnel/equipment being redesignated 744th Bombardment Squadron
744th Bombardment Squadron
The 744th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 456th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California, and was inactivated on 30 September 1975.-History:...
in an in-place, name-only transfer.
On 1 July 1986 it was once more reactivated at Edwards AFB, CA, and tasked to be the final inspection station of the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
's new weapons systems.
Lineage
- Organized 26 June 1917 as the 31st Aero Squadron of the Army Signal Corps.
- Deactivated 24 March 1923.
- Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron.
- Reactivated 1 April 1931.
- Redesignated 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron in October 1947.
- Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) in 1955.
- Discontinued, and inactivated on February 1963; personnel/aircraft/equipment redesignated as 744th Bombardment Squadron744th Bombardment SquadronThe 744th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 456th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California, and was inactivated on 30 September 1975.-History:...
- Redesignated 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron.
- Reactivated 1 July 1986.
Assignments
- Unknown, 13 June-September 1917;
- Third Aviation Instruction Center, September 19i7-January 1919
- Unknown, January-14 April 1919.
- 7th Bombardment Group, attached on 1 April 1931, and assigned on 30 June 1931
- 5th Composite (later Bombardment; Reconnaissance) Group5th Operations GroupThe 5th Operations Group is an operational component of the United States Air Force 5th Bomb Wing, stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota...
, 1 February 1938-10 March 1947 - 71st Reconnaissance Group, 20 October 1947
- Fifth Air ForceFifth Air ForceThe Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
- Attached to: 71st Reconnaissance Group, 18 August 1948
- Thirteenth Air ForceThirteenth Air ForceThe Thirteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. 13 AF has never been stationed in the continental United States...
, 16 March 1949 - 311th Air Division311th Air DivisionThe 311th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, being stationed at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas...
, 1 April 1949 - Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 1 November 1949 - 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Group5th Operations GroupThe 5th Operations Group is an operational component of the United States Air Force 5th Bomb Wing, stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota...
, 1 December 1949
- Thirteenth Air Force
- Attached to Far East Air Forces, December 1949-16 November 1950)
- 5th Strategic Reconnaissance (later Bombardment) Wing5th Bomb WingThe 5th Bomb Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force. It is stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The wing is also the host unit at Minot...
, 16 June 1952 - 4126th Strategic Wing, 1 October 1959-1 February 1963
- 53d Test and Evaluation Group53d Test and Evaluation GroupThe 53d Test and Evaluation Group is a group of the United States Air Force. It is a part of the 53d Wing, and is headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The unit consists of seven squadrons, two detachments, and a named flight...
, 1 July 1986–present
- 5th Strategic Reconnaissance (later Bombardment) Wing
Stations
- Kelly Field, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(26 June 1917 11 August 1917) - In Transit (11 August 1917 15 September 1917)
- EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
(15 September 1917 17 January 1918) - IssoudunIssoudunIssoudun is a commune in the Indre department in central France. It is also referred to as Issoundun, which is the ancient name.-History:...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(17 January 1918 4 April 1919) - In Transit (4 April 1919 14 April 1919)
- March Field, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(1 April 1931 December 1934) - Hamilton Field, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(December 1934 1 February 1938) - In Transit (1 February 1938 8 February 1938)
- Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory (8 February 1938 23 May 1942)
- Kipapa AirfieldKipapa Airfield-History:A careful survey was made of the entire Island of Oahu in 1940 for sites on which landing fields could be constructed. With the exception of the Kipapa Gulch area, all level ground that might be available for airfields was either so occupied, projects were underway for preparation of...
, Hawaii Territory (23 May 1942 9 September 1942) - Kualoa AirfieldKualoa AirfieldKualoa Airfield is a former wartime airfield on Oahu, Hawaii. Part of it is now the Kualoa Regional Park.-History:Kualoa Airfield was constructed in 1942 and used during World War II on land the military did not own...
, Hawaii Territory (9 September 1942 9 November 1942) - In Transit (9 November 1942 30 November 1942)
- Luganville Airfield, Espiritu SantoEspiritu SantoEspiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
, New HebridesNew HebridesNew Hebrides was the colonial name for an island group in the South Pacific that now forms the nation of Vanuatu. The New Hebrides were colonized by both the British and French in the 18th century shortly after Captain James Cook visited the islands...
, (30 November 1942 17 January 1943) - Henderson FieldHenderson Field (Guadalcanal)Henderson Field is a former military airfield on Guadacanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. Today it is Honiara International Airport.-Japanese construction:...
, GuadalcanalGuadalcanalGuadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
, Solomon IslandsSolomon IslandsSolomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
, (17 January 1943 20 April 1944)
- Momote Airfield , Los NegrosLos NegrosLos Negros was a criminal organization that was once the armed wing of the Sinaloa Cartel and after a switch of alliances, became the armed wing of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel. On 2010 it went independent and had been contesting the control of the Beltrán Leyva Cartel. It was then the criminal...
, Admiralty IslandsAdmiralty IslandsThe Admiralty Islands are a group of eighteen islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, to the north of New Guinea in the south Pacific Ocean. These are also sometimes called the Manus Islands, after the largest island. These rainforest-covered islands form part of Manus Province, the smallest and...
, (20 April 1944 20 August 1944) - Wakde AirfieldWakde AirfieldWakde Airfield is a World War II airfield located on Located on Wakde Island, off the northern coast of New Guinea in West Papua Province, Indonesia. The airfield was abandoned after the war and today is almost totally returned to its natural state.-History:...
, Netherlands East Indies, (20 August 1944 26 September 1944) - Kornasoren (Yebrurro) Airfield, NoemfoorNoemfoorNumfor is one of the Biak Islands in Papua province, Indonesia. It was the site of conflict between Japanese and the Allied forces during World War II, and was major airbase for both sides.-Geography:The island is situated just north of the large Cenderawasih Bay...
, Schouten IslandsSchouten IslandsThe Indonesian Schouten Islands are an island group of Papua province, eastern Indonesia in the Cenderawasih Bay 50 km off the north-western coast of the island of New Guinea...
, (26 September 1944 16 October 1944) - Wama Airfield, MorotaiMorotaiMorotai Island Regency is a regency of North Maluku province, Indonesia, located on Morotai Island. The population was 54,876 in 2007.-History:...
, Netherlands East Indies, (16 October 1944 17 March 1945) - Guiuan AirfieldGuiuan AirfieldGuiuan Airfield is a World War II airfield located near Guiuan in the province of Eastern Samar, Samar, Philippines. It was closed after the war.-History:...
, SamarSamarSamar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
, PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, (17 March 1944 December 1945) Personnel sent back to the States - Clark Field, PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
(December 1945–1949) - Kadena Air BaseKadena Air Base, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
, Okinawa, Japan, (1949 12 July 1950) - Yokota Air BaseYokota Air Base, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(12 July 1950 14 August 1950) - Johnson Air Base, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(14 August 1950 15 November 1950) - Travis AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(15 November 1950 18 January 1960) - Beale AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(18 January 1960 1 February 1963) - Edwards AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(1 July 1986 present)
Aircraft operated
31st Bombardment Squadron
- Keystone B-3A
- Keystone B-4Keystone B-4|-See also:-References and external links:****...
- Thomas-Morse O-19Thomas-Morse O-19|-See also:-References:* John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9...
- Douglas Y1B-7Douglas Y1B-7|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-00050-1....
- Martin B-10Martin B-10The Martin B-10 was the first all-metal monoplane bomber to go into regular use by the United States Army Air Corps, entering service in June 1934...
- Martin B-12
- Douglas B-18
- Boeing B-17
- Consolidated B-24
- B-25 MitchellB-25 MitchellThe North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Boeing B-29
- Convair B-36Convair B-36The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made. It had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built , although there have...
31st Bombardment Squadron (H)
- Convair B-36Convair B-36The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made. It had the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft ever built , although there have...
- Boeing B-52
31st Test & Evaluation Squadron
- Boeing B-52
- B-1B
- B-2
- FB-111
- F-16
- RQ-3 DarkStar
- Global Hawk
- MQ-9 ReaperMQ-9 ReaperThe General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle , capable of remote controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for use by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the CIA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Royal...
- F-22
- F-35F-35 Lightning IIThe Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability...
Campaign streamers
World War I: World War I Service StreamerWorld War II: Philippine Islands 1941 1942, Central Pacific 1941 1943, Guadalcanal 1942 1943, New Guinea 1943 1944, Northern Solomons 1943 1944, Eastern Mandates 1944, Bismarck Archipelago 1943 1944, Western Pacific 1944 1945, Leyte 1944 1945, Luzon 1944 1945, Southern Philippines 1945, China Offensive 1945, Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater,
Korean War: UN Defensive 1950, UN Offensive 1950, CCF Intervention 1950–1951
Awards
World War II:- Navy Presidential Unit Citation:
- South Pacific, 1–9 December 1942 (For Participation in the Reinforcement of Guadalcanal)
- Distinguished Unit Citations:
- Woleai Island, 18 April 15 May 1944,
- Borneo, 30 September 1944
- Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Korean War:
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 27 July 15 November 1950
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 June 2006 31 May 2008
- 1 June 2004 31 May 2006
- 1 June 2002 31 May 2004
- 1 June 1998 31 May 2000
- 1 June 1994 31 May 1996
- 30 May 1992 29 May 1994
- 1 July 1990 29 May 1992
- 1 July 1988 30 June 1990
- 1 July 1985 30 June 1987
- 1 June 1998 31 May 2000
- 1 June 2002 31 May 2004
- 1 June 2004 31 May 2006
- 1 June 2006 31 May 2008
See also
- List of American Aero Squadrons
- List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force