529th Bomb Sq

• World War II Origins: The 529th Bombardment Squadron was activated in 1942 as part of the 380th Bombardment Group, tasked with flying B-24 Liberators in the Pacific Theater during World War II. • Nickname - "Flying Circus": The squadron and its parent group earned the nickname "Flying Circus" due to their frequent movement between airfields and their colorful aircraft nose art. • Crucial Role in New Guinea: The 529th played a critical role in the New Guinea campaign, striking Japanese airfields, shipping, and supply lines, helping to turn the tide in the Southwest Pacific. • Distinguished Unit Citation: The squadron received the Distinguished Unit Citation for its daring raid on oil refineries at Balikpapan, Borneo, in August 1943, despite intense enemy opposition. • Longest Bombing Missions: The 529th flew some of the longest B-24 missions of the war, including attacks on targets in the Dutch East Indies over 1,500 miles away. • Postwar Inactivation: After the Japanese surrender, the squadron was inactivated in February 1946 as part of the postwar drawdown. • Reactivation During the Cold War: The 529th was reactivated in 1955 as a Strategic Air Command unit, this time flying B-47 Stratojet bombers during the height of the Cold War. • Operation Reflex Deployments: In the late 1950s, the squadron participated in Operation Reflex, deploying B-47s to overseas bases in Europe for quick-response nuclear strike capability. • Final Inactivation: The squadron was inactivated in 1961 as the B-47 was phased out of service, marking the end of the unit’s active flying history. • Legacy Preserved: The legacy and honors of the 529th Bomb Squadron are preserved by the Air Force Historical Research Agency, and its veterans remain active in reunions and historical projects.