337th Test and Evaluation Squadron

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337th Test and Evaluation Squadron
Upgraded B-1 Lancer undergoing operational testing by the squadron
Active	1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1953–1963; 1963–1994; 2004–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Operational Testing
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Dyess Air Force Base, Texas
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
337th Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem[note 1][1]
337th Bombardment Squadron emblem[note 2][2]
Aircraft flown
Bomber	Rockwell B-1 Lancer

The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is a part of the 53d Test and Evaluation Group of the 53d Wing. Its primary task is to test and evaluate modifications on the B-1 bomber, as well as to train future aircrews to fly upgraded B-1s.^[3] The 337th is headquartered at Dyess AFB, Texas, though it operates out of a number of bases throughout the United States.^[4]

History[]

World War II[]

From 14 May 1943 to 21 April 1945, the squadron conducted strategic bombardment of shipyards, submarine bases, marshaling yards, oil facilities, airfields, and aircraft plants. On occasion, it flew tactical sorties against gun emplacements, rocket sites, enemy troops, and communications centers.^[1]

On 17 August 1943, it earned its first Distinguished Unit Citation, striking targets at Regensburg and Schweinfurt, Germany. Soon after, on 14 October 1943, the squadron participated in World War II's single most important raid on ball-bearing factories at Schweinfurt.^[1]

On 9 April 1944, it earned a second DUC in an attack on aircraft component factories at Poznań, Poland. The squadron subsequently attacked enemy field batteries and miscellaneous targets in support of Normandy operations on 6 June 1944.^[1]

Strategic Air Command[]

Beginning in 1968, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and crews deployed to Southeast Asia (SEA) for bombardment operations. For much of the conflict, the squadron furnished aircraft and crews to Strategic Air Command organizations based in SEA.^[1] When the Air Force switched to the B-1 Lancer, the 337th was the first unit to fly the new bomber. On 1 October 1994, the squadron was inactivated and transferred its personnel, mission and equipment to the 28th Bomb Squadron, which was simultaneously activated.

Test and evaluation[]

As part of the 53d Test and Evaluation Group, the 337th conducts testing of various upgrades to the B-1, as well as trains aircrews to operate and maintain the upgraded aircraft. The squadron has been currently working on the increasing the B-1's weapons payload, attempting to increase the bomber's ability to deliver weapons into heavily defended areas.^[3]

Lineage[]

• Constituted as the 337th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942

Activated on 15 July 1942

• Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 22 June 1943

Inactivated on 29 November 1945

• Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 13 May 1947

Activated in the reserve on 29 May 1947.

Inactivated 27 June 1949.

• Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 6 November 1953

Activated 18 November 1953

Discontinued and inactivated on 15 March 1963

• Redesignated 337th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy

Activated on 20 March 1963 (not organized)

Organized on 15 September 1963

Redesignated 337th Bomb Squadron on 1 September 1991

Inactivated on 1 October 1994

• Redesignated 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron on 8 April 2004

Activated on 14 May 2004^[1]

Assignments[]

• 96th Bombardment Group, 15 July 1942 – 29 November 1945
• 96th Bombardment Group, 29 May 1947 – 27 June 1949
• 96th Bombardment Wing (later 9th6 Strategic Aerospace Wing), 18 November 1953 – 15 Mar 1963
• Strategic Air Command, 20 Mar 1963 (not organized)
• 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing (later 96th Bombardment Wing), 15 September 1963
• 96th Operations Group, 1 September 1991
• 7th Operations Group, 1 October 1993 – 1 October 1994
• 53d Test and Evaluation Group, 14 May 2004 – present^[1]

Stations[]

• Salt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah, 15 July 1942
• Gowen Field, Idaho, 6 August 1942
• Walla Walla Army Air Base, Washington, 31 August 1942
• Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, 29 September 1942
• Pocatello Army Air Field, Idaho, 3 November 1942
• Pyote Army Air Base, Texas, 7 January - 15 April 1943
• RAF Andrews Field (AAF-485), England, 13 May 1943
• RAF Snetterton Heath (AAF-138), England, 29 May 1943 - 22 November 1945
• Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 27–29 November 1945
• Gunter Field (later Gunter Air Force Base), Alabama, 29 May 1947 - 27 June 1949
• Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 18 November 1953
• Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 8 September 1957 - 15 March 1963
• Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 15 September 1963 - 1 October 1994
• Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, 14 May 2004 – present^[1]

Aircraft[]

• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1942-1945)
• North American AT-6 Texan (1947-1949)
• Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan (1947-1949)
• Boeing B-47 Stratojet (1955-1963)
• Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1963-1970, 1970-1972, 1973-1985)
• Rockwell B-1 Lancer (1986-1994, 2004–present)^[1]

Decorations[]

Distinguished Unit Citations

• Germany, 17 August 1943
• Poznań, Poland, 9 April 1944

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards

• 1 January 1959 - 31 December 1960
• 1 July 1974 - 30 June 1975
• 1 July 1978 - 30 June 1979
• 1 July 1988 - 30 June 1990
• 1 July 1990 - 29 May 1992
• 1 June 1992 - 30 May 1994

See also[]

• List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force

References[]

Notes[]

Explanatory notes

Citations

Bibliography[]

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.