96th Bomb Squadron

96th Bomb Squadron
96th Bomb Squadron members with Boeing B-52H-145-BW Stratofortress 60-0028
Active	20 August 1917-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Bombardment
Part of	Air Force Global Strike Command
Garrison/HQ	Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
Nickname(s)	"Red Devils"
Colors	Red and Black
Mascot(s)	Red Devil
Tail Code	"LA"
Engagements	World War I World War II - Antisubmarine World War II - EAME Theater Operation Desert Strike Operation Southern Watch Operation Allied Force Afghanistan Campaign
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (2x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (6x)
Insignia
96th Bomb Squadron emblem

The 96th Bomb Squadron (96 BS) is a unit of the United States Air Force 2d Operations Group located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The 96th is equipped with the B-52H Stratofortress.

Formed in August 1917, the 96 BS saw combat on the World War I Western Front, in France. It took part in the St. Mihiel offensive and Meuse-Argonne offensive. Later, it served with the Army Air Service and Army Air Corps in the Inter-War period it participated in Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell's 1921 off-shore bombing tests and during World War II fought in the North African and Italian Campaigns. It was a part of Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. Since 1993, the 96th 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.

On a disc Vert, a caricatured devil Proper facing dexter, grasping in his dexter hand a bomb Argent inside a triangle of the second and filled Sable, all within a narrow border Yellow. Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed "96TH BOMB SQ” in Yellow letters.

Symbolic of the “Daredevil” qualities of fearlessness and boldness, the devil characterizes the spirit of the Squadron and its past and present personnel. The bomb represents the historic mission of the unit, which it has performed since the beginning of aerial warfare in World War I.