37th Bomb Squadron

37th Bomb Squadron
37th Bomb Squadron Rockwell B-1 Lancer being prepared for Operation Odyssey Dawn at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., 27 March 2011.
Active	13 June 1917 – 5 April 1919 1 September 1933 – 31 January 1938 1 February 1940 – 26 November 1945 19 May 1947 – 10 September 1948 10 May 1952 – 25 June 1958 1 July 1977 – 1 October 1982 1 January 1987 - Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Strategic Bombing
Part of	Global Strike Command 8th Air Force 28th Bomb Wing 28th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	Ellsworth Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	Tigers
Mascot(s)	Billy
Engagements	Doolittle Raid Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations	DCU AFOUA FCdG w/Palm ROK PUC
Insignia
37th Bomb Squadron emblem

The 37th Bomb Squadron (37 BS) is part of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. It operates 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, being organized at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to England as part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and later became part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War.

The squadron is an honorary member of the NATO Tiger Association

Provide rapid, decisive and sustainable combat airpower anytime, anywhere.

Established as a World War I Aero Squadron in Texas; deployed to France in September 1917. The squadron participated in aircraft construction from 1917–1918 and conducted flying training in 1918. Returned to the United States and inactivated in 1919.

Reactivated in 1933 as a Pursuit Squadron, equipped with P-6 Hawks, A-8 Shrike and A-17A Nomad attack aircraft. Assigned to the Southeast Air District, flying coastal patrol missions from Langley Field, then Barksdale Field. Moved to Colorado and re-equipped with B-18 Bolo medium bombers; deploying to the Pacific Northwest.

The 37th It flew antisubmarine patrols from, December 1941–c. March 1942. The squadron also contributed aircrews for the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan on 6 April 1942. After the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Northwest Pacific coast until May 1942.

After the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands, squadron was deployed to the Alaska Territory. Flew combat missions during the Aleutian Campaign from forward bases on Adak and Amchitka during 1943 with B-25 Mitchells, attacking enemy targets on the occupied islands until their surrender.