71st Tactical Missile Squadron

The 71st Tactical Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 485th Tactical Missile Wing at Florennes Air Base, Belgium, where it was inactivated on 30 September 1989 with the implementation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

71st Tactical Missile Squadron
A squadron BGM-109G missile being readied for a simulated launch
Active	1941–1949; 1953–1969; 1972–1973; 1973–1975; 1984-1989
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	cruise missile
Nickname(s)	Wolf Pack (World War II)
Motto(s)	Semper Primus Latin Always First
Engagements	Southwest Pacific Theater[1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award<bf/>Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
71st Tactical Missile Squadron emblem (approved 21 June 1956)[1]
71st Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)[2]

The squadron was first activated as the 71st Bombardment Squadron in 1941 as the United States built up its military forces prior to World War II. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron deployed to the Southwest Pacific Theater, participating in combat until V-J Day, moving forward from Australia to Okinawa. It earned four Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the war. The 71st moved to Japan as part of the occupation forces, although it was only partly manned and equipped for some of this time. The squadron was inactivated in 1949 as the Defense budget was reduced.

The squadron was again activated in France in 1953, when it replaced an Air National Guard unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War and was being returned to state control. In 1958, the squadron moved on paper to Germany, where it became the 71st Tactical Missile Squadron, taking over the missiles and personnel of another squadron, which was inactivated. It upgraded to the TM-76B Mace in 1962 and continued to operate the missile until the Mace was removed from operations in 1969.

The squadron briefly trained pilots for the Air Force as the 71st Pilot Training Squadron in the 1970s, but returned to the cruise missile mission with the BGM-109G in 1984.

History

World War II

The squadron was first activated by the Army Air Corps at Langley Field, Virginia in early 1941 as one of the three original squadrons of the 38th Bombardment Group during the pre-war mobilization by the United States. It was equipped as a medium bomber squadron.[1] Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron performed coastal patrols as part of First Air Force with Douglas B-18 Bolos and early-model Martin B-26 Marauders.

The squadron deployed to Australia in early 1942 to reinforce Fifth Air Force after its withdrawal to Australia. It re-equipped with North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and flew missions from Northern Queensland over New Guinea. It moved to forward airfields in New Guinea and followed MacArthur's advance along the northern coast of the island into the Netherlands East Indies, It flew bombardment missions against Japanese shipping and airfields. The 71st was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for bombing and strafing Japanese troops and fortifications located on New Britain's Cape Gloucester to prepare for an amphibious attack on the island in December 1943. It earned another DUC for attacks on Japanese ships and airfields on 16 and 17 June 1944.[3]

The 71st moved to the Molucca Islands in November and attacked targets in the Philippines to prepare for the American attack on Leyte. In November it struck a large enemy convoy in Ormoc Bay, preventing Japanese reinforcements from reaching the battle area, for which it was awarded another DUC. After moving to the Philippines, it continued to support ground forces fighting there, while also flying missions along the Chinese coast and to Formosa.[3]

It moved to Okinawa in July 1945 and conducted several missions against southern Japan before VJ Day. In November it moved to Japan and became part of the occupation forces. It was inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.[1]

Tactical bomber operations

Squadron B-57A Canberra[note 1]

The 71st was reactivated at Laon-Couvron Air Base, France on 1 January 1953.[1] It assumed the mission, personnel and Douglas B-26 Invader light bombers of the 108th Bombardment Squadron,[4] an Illinois Air National Guard squadron that had been mobilized for the Korean War, but was being returned to State control at the end of its active duty tour. Over the next two years, the squadron completed an upgrade of its Invader force to planes equipped for night intruder missions. As facilities at Laon were completed, it was able to move from tents to permanent buildings.[5]

In January 1955, the squadron's pilots began flying missions in jet Lockheed T-33 T-Birds to prepare them for conversion to Martin B-57B Canberras. It would not be until the end of the year before the first B-57Cs, equipped with dual controls were on hand, so for some squadron pilots, their first solo in the Canberra was also their first flight in the bomber.[6] In July 1955, the squadron's mission was changed from night intruder missions to the delivery of nuclear weapons.[7]

Starting in January 1956, the squadron, along with the other squadrons of the 38th Wing, began to rotate aircrews and aircraft to Landstuhl Air Base, where they stood alert with nuclear weapons (called Zulu Alert). The squadron also participated in the wing's maintenance of twelve aircraft on alert at its home station. To maintain efficiency in its operational mission, the squadron deployed to Wheelus Air Base, Libya for gunnery and bombing practice.[8] In December 1957, the 38th Bombardment Wing converted to the dual deputy organization. The 38th Bombardment Group was inactivated and the squadron was assigned directly to wing headquarters.[1]

At the start of 1958, the squadron began transferring its B-57s back to the United States. By 18 June, the squadron's operations at Laon had ceased.[9]

Matador and Mace missiles

71st Tactical Missile Squadron - TM-76 Mace Missile

The end of the B-57 bomber mission in Europe did not, however, result in the inactivation of the squadron. On 18 June, the 38th Wing moved to Germany, where it replaced the 701st Tactical Missile Wing. The 71st moved on paper to Bitburg Air Base, where it became the 71st Tactical Missile Squadron and assumed the mission, personnel and Martin TM-61 Matador missiles of the 1st Tactical Missile Squadron, which was simultaneously inactivated.[10] The wing's squadrons were dispersed among several bases in Germany, and the squadron was assigned to the missile group at Bitburg, the 585th Tactical Missile Group.[11]

The wing's missiles at Bitburg were located at two remote missile launch sites. The squadron operated Site VII "Chargirl", which was located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) NW of Bitburg, 49°59′05″N 006°28′50″E, near .[12] It also operated Site VIII, which was located 4.5 miles (7.2 km) SSW of Bitburg, 49°53′21″N 006°33′30″E, near.

In September 1962, the 38th Wing reorganized, eliminating its groups. As a result, the squadron was now assigned directly to the 38th Tactical Missile Wing. At the same time, the wing completed its upgrade from Matadors to the TM-76 Mace missile. The Mace was a development of the Matador, with an internal guidance system.[13]

In 1966, the A model of the Mace was retired and the missiles were shipped to Eglin Air Force Base. Florida to be used as targets.[13] However, the 71st Tactical was the only squadron of the wing that operated the B model of the Mace with an inertial guidance system and longer range, and it remained active when the rest of the wing was inactivated, transferring to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at Bitburg in October 1965.[14] It remained active until the last Maces were withdrawn from Europe in 1969.

Pilot training

Cessna T-37B as flown by the squadron at Laredo

The squadron was reactivated in August 1972 as the 71st Flying Training Squadron, when the 38th Wing replaced the 3640th Pilot Training Wing at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas.[15] The squadron operated Cessna T-37 Tweets in the primary phase of Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). However, with the withdrawal of US forces from Vietnam, pilot training requirements of the Air Force were diminishing, and Laredo was scheduled to close. The squadron was inactivated along with the wing on 30 September 1973 as Laredo closed.[16]

T-38 at Moody AFB

However, the squadron's inactive period was short. It was again activated when the 38th Wing replaced the 3550th Pilot Training Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia on 1 December 1973.[15][17] At Moody, the squadron provided instruction in the basic phase of UPT with Northrop T-38 Talons. The Air Force's pilot requirements continued to drop, and the squadron ended operations in November 1975. The squadron was inactivated on 1 December 1975 along with the 38th Wing[16][17] when Moody became a tactical tighter base after the Vietnam War ended.[18]

Ground launched cruise missile operations

The squadron returned to its missile mission and 71st Tactical Missile Squadron designation as a BGM-109G Gryphon ground launched cruise missile squadron in August 1984, when it was activated at Florennes Air Base, Belgium and assigned to the 485th Tactical Missile Wing. It maintained 80 operational missiles in a combat-ready state. Almost as soon as the Gryphons deployed in Europe, protests erupted against them.[19] The BGM-109G missile was site located at 50°13′34″N 004°39′01″E

By the time the Gryphons were fully deployed in 1987, talks between the United States and the Soviet Union had begun that led to the signing of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, banning the missiles from Europe,[20] and the squadron inactivated on 30 April 1989.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 20 November 1940

Activated on 15 January 1941

Redesignated 71st Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. 1944

Redesignated 71st Bombardment Squadron, Light on 6 May 1946

Inactivated on 1 April 1949

• Activated on 1 January 1953

Redesignated 71st Bombardment Squadron, Tactical on 1 October 1955

Redesignated 71st Tactical Missile Squadron on 18 June 1958[21]

Inactivated on 30 April 1969[22]

• Redesignated 71st Flying Training Squadron on 22 March 1972

Activated 1 August 1972[23][17]

Inactivated 30 September 1973[23][17]

• Activated 1 December 1973[23]

Inactivated 1 December 1975[23]

• Redesignated 71st Tactical Missile Squadron
• Activated on 1 August 1984

Inactivated 30 April 1989

Assignments

• 38th Bombardment Group, 15 January 1941 – 1 April 1949
• 38th Bombardment Group, 1 January 1953
• 38th Bombardment Wing, 8 December 1957
• 585th Tactical Missile Group, 18 June 1958
• 38th Tactical Missile Wing, 25 September 1962[21] – 1 October 1965
• 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 October 1965 – 30 April 1969[14]
• 38th Flying Training Wing, 1 August 1972 – 30 September 1973[15]
• 38th Flying Training Wing, 1 December 1973 – 1 December 1975[15]
• 485th Tactical Missile Wing, 1 August 1984 to 30 April 1989

Stations

Langley Field, Virginia, 15 January 1941 Jackson Army Air Base, Mississippi, c. 5 June 1941 – 18 January 1942 Doomben Field (Eagle Farm Airport), Australia, 25 February 1942 Ballarat Airport, Australia, 8 March 1942 Batchelor Airfield, Australia, c. 30 April 1942 Breddan Aerodrome, Australia, 12 August 1942 RAAF Base Townsville, Australia, October 1942 Durand Airfield, Port Moresby, New Guinea, 26 November 1942 Nadzab Airfield Complex, New Guinea, 4 March 1944 Mokmer Airfield, Biak, Netherlands East Indies, 1 October 1944

Pitoe Airfield, Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, 15 October 1944 Lingayen Airfield, Luzon, Philippines, c. 29 January 1945 Motobu Airfield, Okinawa, 25 July 1945 Itazuke Airfield, Japan, c. 22 November 1945 Itami Airfield, Japan, 26 October 1946 – 1 April 1949 Laon-Couvron Air Base, France, 1 January 1953 Bitburg Air Base, Germany, 18 June 1958[21] – 30 April 1969 Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, 1 August 1972 – 30 September 1973 Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, 1 December 1973 – 1 December 1975[24] Florennes Air Base, Belgium 4 August 1984 – 30 September 1989

Aircraft and missiles

Douglas B-18 Bolo, 1941 Martin B-26 Marauder, 1941–1942 North American B-25 Mitchel], 1942–1946, 1947–1948 Douglas A-26 (later B-26) Invader, 1946, 1947–1949, 1953–1955 Martin B-57 Canberra, 1955–1958 Martin TM-61 Matador, 1958–1962

Martin TM-76B (later CGM-13B) Mace, 1962–1969[21][25] Cessna T-37 Tweet, 1972–1975 Northrop T-38 Talon, 1972–1975 General Dynamics BGM-109G Gryphon, 1984–1989

See also

• List of United States Air Force missile squadrons
• United States Army Air Forces in Australia

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Aircraft is Martin B-57B-MA, serial 52-1560, taken in 1957. This aircraft was also one of the "Black Knights" aerial acrobatic team.

Citations

1. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 261
2. Watkins, pp. 78-79
3. Maurer, Combat Groups, pp. 93–95
4. McAuliffe, p. 340
5. McAuliffe, pp. 340–342
6. McAuliffe, p. 342
7. McAuliffe, p. 344
8. McAulliffe, pp. 346–347
9. McAuliffe, pp. 347–348
10. See Fletcher,
11. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 769–770
12. Mindling, George (2018). "Site I Mehlingen: 822nd Tactical Missile Squadron". U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
13. Mindling, George (2018). "Sembach Air Base, Germany: Headquarters 38th Tactical Missile Wing 18 June 1958-25 September 1966". U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
14. Ravenstein, pp.63-65
15. Ravenstein, pp. 66-67
16. See Ravenstein, pp. 66-67. (inactivation of 38th Wing and end of squadron assignment).
17. See Muelller, p. 426. (dates at Moody).
18. Mueller, p. 425
19. Grier, p. 73
20. Grier, p. 74
21. Lineage, including assignments and stations, through May 1963 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 261.
22. See Ravenstein, pp. 63-65. (end of assignment to 36th Wing).
23. See Ravenstein, pp. 66-67 (assignment to 38t Wing).
24. Muelller, p. 426
25. Ravenstein, pp.63-65 (dates Mace operated by 36th Wing

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• Fletcher, Harry R (1993). Air Force Bases , Vol. II, Air Bases Outside the United States of America (PDF). Washington, DC: Center for Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Grier, Peter (2002). "The Short, Happy Life of the Glick-Em" (PDF). Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• McAuliffe, Lt Col Jerome J. (2005). U.S. Air Force in France 1950-1967. San Diego, CA: Milspec Press. ISBN 978-0-9770371-1-7.
• Mindling, George; Bolton, Robert (2008). U.S. Air Force Tactical Missiles, 1949-1969: The Pioneers. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-557-00029-6.
• Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Watkins, Robert A. (2013). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Volume V, Pacific Theater of Operations. Atglen,PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-4346-9.