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:
“Let it suffice that in the light of these two facts, namely, that the mind is One, and that nature is its correlative, history is to be read and written.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“It’s a very delicate surgical operation—to cut out the heart without killing the patient. The history of our country, however, is a very tough old patient, and we’ll do the best we can.”
—Dudley Nichols, U.S. screenwriter. Jean Renoir. Sorel (Philip Merivale)
“No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now.”
—Richard M. Nixon (b. 1913)