528th Bombardment Squadron

The 528th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Last assigned to the 380th Bombardment Wing at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York, the squadron was inactivated on 1 July 1991.

Activation and Early Years

The 528th Bombardment Squadron was activated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona, on 3 November 1942 as one of the four original squadrons of the 380th Bombardment Group. Following training with Consolidated B-24 Liberators, the squadron moved to the Southwest Pacific Theater in April 1943.

Operations in Australia

Arriving at Fenton Airfield in the Australian Northern Territory by the end of April, the 528th Bombardment Squadron's air echelon commenced operations. The ground echelon set out from Darwin, Australia, by truck. The squadron, along with the rest of the 380th Group, was attached to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and undertook training of RAAF crews on the Liberator. Its initial combat operations began in May with armed reconnaissance missions.

Combat Missions

Attacks on Japanese Installations

Operating from Fenton, the 528th Bombardment Squadron launched attacks on Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago, including airfields, ground installations, and factories.

Raid on Balikpapan, Borneo

In August 1943, the 528th Bombardment Squadron participated in a series of raids on oil refineries in Balikpapan, Borneo. This mission marked the longest bombing mission flown by an Army Air Forces bomber unit at the time, earning the squadron the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC).

Support in New Guinea

During April and May 1944, the squadron conducted raids on enemy airfields in western New Guinea, supporting landings in the Hollandia area and receiving a second DUC.

Battle over Noemfoor Island

On 23 April 1944, five aircraft of the 528th engaged in an intense battle with twenty-five Japanese fighters over Noemfoor Island. The squadron claimed twelve enemy fighters destroyed and returned with heavy damages. This battle resulted in 21 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Silver Stars being awarded to members of the 528th.

Operations in the Philippines

In February 1945, the 528th Bombardment Squadron moved to the Philippines, operating from Mindoro. It provided air support on Luzon, attacking industrial targets, ground installations, and transportation networks in several countries. Continuing its raids on refineries in Borneo, the squadron demonstrated its multifaceted combat capabilities.

End of World War II

In August 1945, the 528th Bombardment Squadron moved to Okinawa. Following V-J Day, it conducted reconnaissance missions over Japan and transported prisoners of war from Japan to Manila. Becoming non-operational, it moved to Fort William McKinley in November 1945 and was inactivated there in February 1946.