20th Bombardment Squadron

20th Bomb Squadron
English: A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., flies a mission in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 over the Pacific Ocean July 10, 2010.
Active	26 June 1917 - Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Long Range Strike
Part of	Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ	Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
Nickname(s)	Buccaneers
Tail Code	"LA"
Engagements	World War I World War II - Antisubmarine World War II - EAME Theater Vietnam War - Operation Arc Light Afghanistan Campaign
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (2x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (9x) Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
20th Bomb Squadron emblem
Aircraft flown
Bomber	B-52 Stratofortress

The 20th Bomb Squadron is a unit of the 2d Operations Group of the United States Air Force located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The 20th is equipped with the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress.

Formed in June 1917 as the 20th Aero Squadron, the squadron saw combat in France on the World War I Western Front. It took part in the St. Mihiel offensive and Meuse-Argonne offensive.

After the war, it served with the Army Air Service and Army Air Corps as the 20th Bombardment Squadron During the 1920s and 1930s, the squadron was involved in field service testing of new bomber aircraft, notably the Y1B-17 Flying Fortress.

During World War II the squadron fought in the North African and Italian Campaigns. It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions during a raid on Steyr, Austria.

It was a part of Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. As a medium bomber squadron it deployed to stand alert at forward bases in "Reflex" operations. After equipping with Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses stood nuclear alert, but during the Viet Nam War the squadron deployed frequently to perform Operation Arc Light bombing missions. Since 1993, the 20th Bomb Squadron has flown the B-52H Stratofortress long-range heavy bomber, which can perform a variety of missions. Today the squadron is engaged in the Global War on Terrorism.