343rd Bomb Squadron
The 343d Bomb Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve squadron, assigned to the 307th Operations Group. It is stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
| 343d Bomb Squadron | |
|---|---|
Squadron B-52H Stratofortress landing at RAF Fairford | |
| Active | 1942–1946; 1947–1966; 2010–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Bombardment |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Motto(s) | Heed the Avengers (1957–1966) |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 343 Bomb Sq emblem | |
| 343d Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II) | |
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 343d Bombardment Squadron. It saw combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, participating in the low level attack on oil refineries near Ploiești, Romania. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for its combat operations. After VE Day the squadron returned to the United States and trained with Boeing B-29 Superfortresses until inactivating in spring 1946.
The squadron was reactivated in 1947 with Superfortresses. During the Korean War, it was deployed to Japan and earned another Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat operations. The squadron returned to the United States and converted to the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, which it flew until inactivating in 1966 when the B-47 was withdrawn from service and Lincoln Air Force Base closed. It was activated in the reserve in 2010 as a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress squadron.