History
Established in the spring of 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas just after the United States entry into World War I. Initially designated as the 16th Aero Squadron; redesignated as the 21st Aero Squadron in June in an Air Service redesignation. After a period of organization in the United States, the squadron deployed to France in January 1918. The squadron was a flying training unit in France from, February–c. December 1918, returning to the United States in April 1919 and inactivating.
Reactivated in 1935 as part of the GHQ Air Force at Bolling Field, D.C. . The 21st Observation Squadron flew light reconnaissance aircraft in support of Army maneuvers primarily in Northern Virginia. The squadron operated light land-based aircraft as well as amphibian seaplanes using the Potomac River for landings/takeoffs. In 1936 moved to Langley Field, Virginia and expanded to using heavier attack aircraft as well as medium bombers flying neutrality, sea search, and weather reconnaissance missions. Received early-model B-17C/D Flyining Fortresses in 1939 and moved to several locations along the Atlantic Coast, flying coastal patrol missions.
After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico from, January–June 1942; in early 1942 was redesignated as the 411th Bombardment Squadron and was assigned to II Bomber Command and becoming at B-17 Flying Fortress Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. Became a B-24 Liberator Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for II Bomber Command in 1943. Was inactivated in April 1944 with the end of heavy bomber training.
Read more about this topic: 911th Air Refueling Squadron
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Modern Western thought will pass into history and be incorporated in it, will have its influence and its place, just as our body will pass into the composition of grass, of sheep, of cutlets, and of men. We do not like that kind of immortality, but what is to be done about it?”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)
“We know only a single science, the science of history. One can look at history from two sides and divide it into the history of nature and the history of men. However, the two sides are not to be divided off; as long as men exist the history of nature and the history of men are mutually conditioned.”
—Karl Marx (1818–1883)
“There is no history of how bad became better.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)