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524th Bomb Squadron
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The 524th Bomb Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 379th Bombardment Wing at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, and was inactivated on 15 December 1992 as the base was drawing down prior to closure.
524th Bomb Squadron | |
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![]() B-52 Stratofortress as flown by the squadron | |
Active | 1940–1945; 1955–1992 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | Heavy bomber |
Motto(s) | Vigilance for Peace (1962-1992) |
Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation |
Insignia | |
524th Bomb Squadron emblem[lower-alpha 1][1] | ![]() |
524th Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)[2] | ![]() |
World War II fuselage code[2] | WA |
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 524th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, it moved to England, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The squadron twice was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat actions. Following V-E Day, the squadron moved to Morocco, where it participated in the transportation of military personnel back to the United States until it was inactivated in June 1945.
The squadron was reactivated in 1955 as a Boeing B-47 Stratojet strategic bomber squadron. In 1960, it began converting to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. However, Strategic Air Command was engaged in a project to disperse its B-52 wings to reduce their vulnerability to Soviet attack and the squadron moved to Wurtsmith in 1961. The squadron stood nuclear alert at Wurtsmith until the end of the Cold War. It deployed planes and aircrew to support Operation Desert Storm before inactivating.