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Released: April 9, 2003
B-1B unit carries on Doolittle Raiders' tradition
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (ACCNS) -- In a flight similar to a page from its
own history, a 34th Bomb Squadron B-1B bomber continued its proud heritage set
by its Doolittle Raider forefathers when it used precision-guided munitions to
strike a suspected meeting of senior Iraqi regime leaders in the al Mansour
section of Baghdad Monday.
The bomber, tail number 86-0138, which is nicknamed "Seek and Destroy," was
flown by a crew of four: Capt. Chris Wachter, aircraft commander; Capt. Sloan
Hollis, pilot; 1st Lt. Joe Runci, weapons systems officer; and Lt. Col. Fred
Swan, weapons systems officer.
They delivered four GBU-31 satellite guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions in
the strike. Two penetrating versions with delayed fusing struck first,
followed by two standard versions with delayed fusing. This bomb mix was
chosen to achieve the desired effect of destroying the building while
minimizing collateral damage.
Battle damage assessment from the strike is ongoing.
Coalition forces target only legitimate military targets and go to great
lengths to minimize civilian casualties and damage to civilian facilities. The
34th Bomb Squadron's most notable event dates back to April 18, 1942, when
34th aircrews took part one of the most famous mission in flying history --
the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan. However, the unit has a much longer
lineage, which dates to 1917 when the Army organized the 34th Aero Squadron on
June 11, 1917.
Originally a ground training unit, the 34th eventually gained bombers in 1939.
It went on to perform antisubmarine patrols from December 1941 to March 1942.
It also flew combat operations in different theaters during World War II, the
Korean War and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as well as
supporting a number of other military operations over the years.
This B-1B's heritage also includes that of its home unit, the 28th Bomb Wing
at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and its deployed unit, the 405th Air
Expeditionary Wing.
Initially activated as the 28th Bombardment Wing in July 1947, the home unit
began as a bomber unit. Through the years, it also had an aerial refueling
mission beginning in 1959, and a post-attack command and control system for
15th Air Force in January 1965.
The 28th BW spent a total of almost four years deployed to Southeast Asia from
March 1966 to March 1970. It also provided tanker support for restoration of
democracy in Panama from December 1989 to January 1990, and deployed tanker
and airborne command post aircraft to Southwest Asia from August 1990 to March
1991.
Established as 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing in October 1952, the deployed unit is
now designated the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing. Among its historical
accomplishments, it frequently deployed subordinate components to Southeast
Asia bases for air defense and combat operations from mid-1962 until the end
of the conflict in Southeast Asia.
From Aug. 4, 1966, until Jan. 4, 1968, it was commanded by then-Col. Charles
E. Yeager, who made world history on Oct. 14, 1947, when he became the first
man to fly faster than the speed of sound. During February and March 1973, the
unit also provided medical, logistical and administrative support for former
prisoners of war who were returning to the United States from North Vietnam.
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