34th Bomb Squadron

34th Bomb Squadron
Unit name	34th Bomb Squadron
Dates	1917–1919; 1923–1927; 1931–1945; 1947–1948; 1952–1969; 1970–1991; 1993–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Strategic bombing
Command structure	Global Strike Command; formerly Air Combat Command, Strategic Air Command
Garrison	Whiteman Air Force Base
Battles	World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War

34th Bomb Squadron The 34th Bomb Squadron is a long-established United States Air Force unit with origins in World War I aviation and a continuous lineage through interwar, World War II, Cold War, and post-Cold War operations. The unit has served under major commands including Air Force Global Strike Command, Strategic Air Command, and Air Combat Command, operating a succession of bomber platforms from early biplanes through modern strategic bombers. It has participated in global campaigns tied to major events such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and operations during the Vietnam War.

History

The squadron traces its origin to training and pursuit operations during World War I and was reconstituted in the interwar period amidst the reorganization of the United States Army Air Service and later the United States Army Air Corps. During the prelude to World War II the unit transitioned to heavy bombardment roles aligned with the United States Army Air Forces and served in theaters including the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations. In the Cold War era it became a strategic component of Strategic Air Command during confrontations such as the Berlin Crisis of 1961 and nuclear deterrence missions linked to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Reactivations and redesignations occurred through the post–Vietnam drawdown, the Reagan-era force modernization, and the post–9/11 expeditionary posture under Air Combat Command and later Global Strike Command.

Operations and Deployments

Operational deployments included rotations to forward bases in England, Italy, and North Africa during World War II, and sustained operations from bases in South Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War. During the Korean conflict era the squadron supported regional readiness from bases in the Pacific Air Forces structure. Post–Cold War expeditionary roles included deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and participation in coalition air campaigns such as Operation Desert Storm. The unit also conducted strategic deterrence patrols and global bomber task force missions to locations including Alaska, Guam, and Diego Garcia.

Aircraft and Equipment

Aircraft types flown include early models such as the DH.4 and Boeing P-12 in interwar service, transition to twin-engine bombers like the Douglas A-20 Havoc and Martin B-26 Marauder in World War II, and later heavy bombers including the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Boeing B-29 Superfortress, and jet-era platforms such as the Convair B-58 Hustler and the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. In the modern era the unit has operated the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit and participated in upgrades to avionics, weapons delivery systems compatible with precision-guided munitions like the Joint Direct Attack Munition and standoff systems including the AGM-86 ALCM. Support equipment and assets encompassed aerial refueling from Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance coordination with platforms such as the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk.

Notable Missions and Engagements

Notable missions include strategic bombing sorties over the Normandy landings support areas, interdiction campaigns during the Italian Campaign, long-range raids against strategic industrial targets in the European Theater of Operations, and precision strike missions during Operation Desert Storm. Cold War alert postures included airborne alert and dispersal operations tied to periods of heightened tension such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Gulf of Tonkin incident aftermath. In Southeast Asia the squadron supported interdiction and close air support missions that affected operations like Operation Rolling Thunder and Operation Linebacker II.

Unit Organization and Insignia

Organizationally the squadron has been assigned to groups and wings such as the 97th Bombardment Group, 28th Bomb Wing, and 509th Bomb Wing at various points, integrating into numbered Air Forces including Eighth Air Force and Twentieth Air Force depending on theater. The unit emblem and squadron insignia evolved through heraldic approvals by the Air Force Historical Research Agency and reflect lineage devices consistent with United States Air Force heraldry practices. Command relationships have included attachments to Air Expeditionary Wing structures during expeditionary deployments and to numbered air force headquarters for strategic mission tasking.

Honors and Awards

The squadron has received campaign streamers and unit citations for service in major campaigns such as Normandy, the Italian Campaign (World War II), Vietnam War campaigns, and Southwest Asia operations including Operation Desert Storm. Individual aircrew received awards administered through organizations like the Department of the Air Force and honors such as the Distinguished Unit Citation and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for excellence in combat and peacetime performance. Recognitions also reflect participation in NATO exercises and coalition operations coordinated with allies including United Kingdom, Australia, and South Korea.

Category:United States Air Force squadrons