77th Bombardment Squadron
| 77th Bombardment Squadron | |
|---|---|
B-1B Lancer from Dyess AFB, Texas performing a fly-by during a firepower demonstration
|
|
| Active | 1940 – present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Advanced B-1 Lancer Training |
| Part of | USAF Weapons School |
| Garrison/HQ | Dyess Air Force Base, Texas |
| Engagements |
 Vietnam War |
| Decorations |
 Distinguished Unit Citation  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (12x)  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 77th Weapons Squadron emblem (approved 17 May 1997) |  |
| 77th Bomb Squadron emblem |  |
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The 77th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the USAF Weapons School, stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The 77th is a Geographically Separated Unit of the 57th Wing, stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The mission of the squadron is to provide B-1 Lancer instructional flying.
The unit activated on 15 January 1941 at Fort Douglas, Utah. After combat operations in the Pacific theater during World War II, the 77th contributed to America’s nuclear deterrent during the Cold War and formed the backbone of the Air Force’s B-52 force during the Vietnam War.
The 77th provides weapons training to B-1B Lancer squadrons at Dyess Air Force Base, TX and Ellsworth AFB, SD.
The squadron was activated in January 1941 as a Northwest Air District medium bomber squadron, equipped with a mixture of Douglas B-18 Bolos, PT-17 Stearman trainers and early model Martin B-26 Marauders. Upon completion of training, it was assigned to the new Elmendorf Field, near Anchorage, Alaska; being one of the first Air Corps units assigned to Alaska. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols over the Gulf of Alaska.
When the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands in June 1942, the squadron was reassigned to Fort Glenn Army Airfield on Adak Island; and began combat missions over the captured islands of Kiska and Attu. Flew combat missions with B-26 Marauders and later B-25 Mitchell medium bombers during the Aleutian Campaign, remaining in Alaska until the end of World War II in 1945 when the squadron personnel were demobilized and the unit inactivated as a paper unit in early of November 1945. SSgt Charlton Heston served as a radio operator and gunner aboard a B-25 of the 77th from 1944-45.
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Wikipedia