The squadron was first activated as the 628th Bombardment Squadron in 1943. While retaining its mission as a ground attack unit, it became the 512th Fighter-Bomber Squadron a few months after activating. After training in the United States, it moved to the European Theater of Operations in the spring of 1944. It entered combat soon thereafter, and following D-Day, moved to the continent of Europe, where it gave close air support to American ground forces advancing across Europe. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the war. Following V-E Day, the squadron served in the Army of Occupation until 1946, when it was inactivated and its personnel and equipment transferred to another unit.
The squadron was reactivated in 1952, when it replaced an Air National Guard unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War. The following year it assumed an air defense mission and continued with that mission until inactivated in 1959.
The squadron was reactivated as the 512th Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1976 and served in that role until 1994, when it transferred its fighters to Aviano Air Base, as its parent wing became an airlift unit.
History
World War II
The squadron was first activated as the 628th Bombardment Squadron at Key Field, Mississippi on 1 March 1943. It was one of the four original squadrons of the 406th Bombardment Group and was initially equipped with a variety of attack, pursuit, and trainer aircraft. Although its mission did not substantially change, the squadron became the 512th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in August. It moved to Congaree Army Air Field, South Carolina and equipping with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts before the end of the year. The 512th trained with its "Jugs" until March 1944, when it departed the United States for the European Theater of Operations.[1][3]
The squadron supported Operation Cobra, the Allied breakthrough at Saint-Lo on 25 July, then moved to Tour-en-Bessin Airfield in France a few days later.[3] The 512th participated in the reduction of Saint-Malo and Brest, France and supported the drive across France. On 7 September, flying from Saint-Léonard Airfield, the squadron operated with the other units of the 406th Fighter Group in destroying a column of tanks, armored vehicles and motor transport that were trying to escape to southeastern France through the Belfort Gap. This attack earned the squadron the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). The squadron cooperated with ground forces and flew air interdiction sorties in the area of the Mosel and Saar Rivers.[3]
When the Germans launched the counterattack that resulted in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the squadron shifted operations to the Ardennes to relive the embattled garrison at Bastogne. For four days in late December, the squadron flew attacks on German vehicles, gun emplacements and defensive positions close to Bastogne, for which it was awarded a second DUC. The squadron flew escort, interdiction, and air support missions in the Ruhr Valley early in 1945 and to assist Allied ground forces in the drive to and across the Rhine.[3]
The squadron returned to its Fighter-Bomber designation and was activated in July 1952 at RAF Manston, England, where it replaced the 156th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, a North Carolina Air National Guard unit that had been mobilized for the Korean War. The 512th assumed the mission, personnel and Republic F-84 Thunderjets of the 156th, which was returned to state control. In late 1953, the squadron converted to North American F-86 Sabres. For a brief time in 1954, the squadron was designated the 512th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron before becoming the 512th Fighter-Day Squadron in August. In November, the squadron moved to Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands, where it carried out both fighter-bomber and air defense missions.[1][3][5]
When the 406th Fighter-Interceptor Wing reorganized in May 1956, the 406th Fighter-Interceptor Group was inactivated and the squadron assigned directly to wing headquarters.[f] The squadron was awarded the Hughes Trophy as the best interceptor unit in the Air Force for the calendar year 1957.[9] In February 1958, the 406th Wing began phasing down its operations as it prepared for inactivation.[10] In connection with this drawdown, the squadron moved to Sembach Air Base, Germany on 24 March 1958 and was reassigned to the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Wing. However, while Sembach's runways could accommodate the squadron's Sabres, they were too short to safely operate more modern interceptors[citation needed] and the squadron was inactivated on 1 July 1959.[1]
^Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16C Block 25E Fighting Falcon, serial 84-1292. This plane was sent to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center on 24 September 2008 and converted to a QF-16C drone on 13 November 2019. Baugher, Joe (14 April 2023). "1984 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
^Approved 9 September 1955. Description: A disc divided equally by a vertical arched line Air Force yellow and black, from a cloud formation proper, over the upper section of the disc, a green dragon, his head and neck moving over the arched division, with his head toward the base, breathing red flames of fire, his eyeballs white, his eyes black, with red pupils, all between two back silhouetted jet aircraft flying across the yellow area; and a white lightning bolt charging the black area
^Aircraft is Republic P-47D-27-RE Thunderbolt, serial 42-26860, Angie, fuselage code L3-O, at Asch (Asche) Airfield, Belgium in February 1945.
^Aircraft is Republic F-84E-15-RE Thunderjet, serial 49-2371. It went to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center on 8 September 1955, but returned to service in the reserve on 31 May 1956, sold on 12 November 1958 and registered as a civilian aircraft. Baugher, Joe (2 May 2023). "1949 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
^Aircraft is North American F-86D Sabre, serial 52-10030. Struck off charge on 19 March 1958. Baugher, Joe (2 May 2023). "1952 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
^Under this plan, called the "dual deputy organization" flying squadrons reported to the wing Deputy Commander for Operations and maintenance squadrons reported to the wing Deputy Commander for Maintenance.
^Aircraft is McDonnell F-4E-40-MC Phantom II, serial 68-0481, tail code RS. Transferred to the Indiana Air National Guard in 1987 and to the Hellenic Air Force in November 1991. It is on display at Larissa Air Base, Greece. Baugher, Joe (14 April 2023). "1968 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 11 May 2023. This picture was taken in 1979.
Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN978-0-7643-2938-8.
Willard, TSG Richard R. (1988) [1968]. Location of United States Military Units in the United Kingdom, 16 July 1948-31 December 1967. USAF Air Station, South Ruislip, United Kingdom: Historical Division, Office of Information, Third Air Force. LCCN68061579.
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