37th Bomb Squadron
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|---|---|
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| Active | 1917–1919; 1933–1938; 1940–1945; 1947–1948; 1952–1958; 1977–1982; 1987–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Heavy bomber |
| Part of | Global Strike Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Ellsworth Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Tigers[1] |
| Motto(s) | “Harrumph!”[2] |
| Mascot(s) | Billy the tiger[citation needed] |
| Engagements | American Theater (World War II) Mediterranean Theater of Operations European Theater of Operations Korean War[3] Operation Desert Fox Operation Allied Force Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Odyssey Dawn Operation Freedom's Sentinel Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation  Air Force Meritorious Unit Award  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device  French Croix de Guerre with Palm  Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation  [3] |
| Insignia | |
| 37th Bombardment Squadron emblem[b][3] | .png) |
| 37th Bomb Squadron emblem[c][4] |  |
| 37th Pursuit Squadron emblem[d][4][5] |  |
The 37th Bomb Squadron is part of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. It operates Rockwell B-1 Lancer aircraft providing strategic bombing capability.
The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 13 June 1917, when the 37th Aero Squadron was organized at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I and served as a training unit until returning to the US for demobilization. It was active in the interwar years at Langley Field, Virginia as a pursuit and attack squadron.
The squadron saw combat as the 37th Bombardment Squadron, a Martin B-26 Marauder unit in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) for its performance. It was inactivated after the war's end, although it was briefly active as a paper unit in 1947–1948.
The squadron was again activated during the Korean War, when it replaced a reserve unit that was being returned to reserve duty. Flying night intruder missions with Douglas B-26 Invaders, the squadron earned another DUC before the truce in July 1953. In 1955 it returned to the United States and became one of the first jet tactical bomber units, flying Martin B-57 Canberras and Douglas B-66 Destroyers. After a brief deployment to England, the squadron once again inactivated.
In 1977, the 37th became part of the Strategic Air Command, flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses until 1982. It assumed its present role in 1987.
The squadron is an honorary member of the NATO Tiger Association[citation needed]
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ Newberry, Col Stuart W. (10 August 2015). "How Do You Clean The Rug?". U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ Newberry, Col Stuart. "How Do You Clean The Rug?". AFCENT. USAFCENT. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ a b c Robertson, Patsy (11 March 2008). "Factsheet 37 Bomb Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ a b Endicott, Active Air Force Wings, p. 540
- ^ Hubbard, p. 719