13th Bomb Squadron

13th Bomb Squadron
B-2 Spirit of the 509th Operations Group
Active	14 June 1917–1919 1936–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Bombardment
Part of	Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ	Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri
Nickname(s)	The Devil's Own Grim Reapers
Motto(s)	Fear the Reaper
Colors	Red and black
Mascot(s)	Oscar
Anniversaries	14 June
Tail Code	"WM"
Engagements	World War I World War II - Antisubmarine World War II - Asia-Pacific Theater Korean War Vietnam War - Operation Arc Light Vietnam Ceasefire Afghanistan Campaign Iraq Campaign
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (7x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device (6x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5x) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant Colonel Rob Makros
Notable commanders	Captain Charles Biddle Lieutenant Colonel Rob Fortney Lieutenant Colonel Robert McCormick Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bussiere
Insignia
13th Bomb Squadron emblem

The 13th Bomb Squadron (13 BS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 509th Operations Group, Air Force Global Strike Command, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The squadron is equipped with the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.

The 13 BS is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, first being organized as the 13th Aero Squadron on 14 June 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I as a pursuit squadron. The unit was demobilized after the war in 1919. On 16 October 1936, the squadron was consolidated with the 104th Aero Squadron, which was organized on 25 August 1917, another AEF combat squadron on the Western Front.

Re-organized in 1921 as part of the permanent United States Army Air Service, the squadron became part of Fifth Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) of World War II flying B-25 Mitchell medium bombers. During the Cold War, it fought in the Korean War and Vietnam War as a B-57 Canberra tactical bomber squadron.

The 13th Bomb Squadron traces its origins to two World War I Air Service, United States Army squadrons.