328th Weapons Squadron
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| 328th Weapons Squadron | |
|---|---|
 328th Weapons Squadron emblem |
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| Active | 1942-1994
2003-Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Weapons Training |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Part of | Air Warfare Center |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis AFB, Arizona |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lt Col Michael J. "Lips" Lutton |
The United States Air Force's 328th Weapons Squadron (328 WPS) is an United States Air Force Weapons School training unit located at Nellis AFB, Nevada.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Mission
The 328 WPS teaches the Space Weapons Instructor Course syllabus to develop combat leaders who are at the forefront of integrating space effects in military operations and leading space weapons and tactics. Students enter the program from a variety of space mission areas such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), satellite command and control, offensive and defensive counterspace, space situational awareness, missile warning and spacelift. We build upon each of these specialties and focus the students’ weapons officer training in space disciplines with the most relevance to the operational-level of warfare.[2]
[edit] Course
The first half of the course builds the students’ foundation in theater command, control and communications (C3); navigation warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support CSAR and blue force tracking; theater missile defense; space superiority; and the operational art of air and space planning. The remainder of the course allows students to integrate these space disciplines and their planning expertise with diverse combat capabilities in the USAFWS and in Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). Space WIC students fully integrate space effects in CSAR operations, dynamic targeting, special operations, global strike and mobility operations. In addition, they hone their space superiority skills in a 1-week counterspace distributed operations mission. Students are implanted into an AOC, the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC), and the 76th Space Control Squadron and 4th Space Control Squadron to plan and execute offensive counterspace capabilities in a collaborative environment. Upon graduation, they are ready to attack a diverse set of space weapons officer requirements. For the past 10 years, Space WIC weapons officers have integrated space effects in every major theater conflict. USAFWS is now training weapons officers to develop space weapons and tactics in AFSPC squadrons as well as continue the space integration work in theater. By sending graduates back to AFSPC units, we will build the United States' combat capability in space, train United States Air Force space operators to be warriors of the high frontier, and mentor and groom the next generation of space weapons officers.
[edit] History
The Weapons School Space Division was activated in July 1996 and has graduated 123 Weapons Officers. The Space Division was redesignated as the 328th Weapons Squadron, which receives its lineage from the 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) activated on 28 January 1942. The 328th Bombardment Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its gallantry during the raid on the Ploesti, Romania oil refineries during August of 1943. The 328th flew the B-24, B-29, B-47, B-50, and B-52G until it was inactivated on 15 June 1994.[3]
[edit] Assignments
[edit] Major Command
- Air Combat Command (1992-1994; 2003-Present)
- Strategic Air Command (1952-1992)
[edit] Group/Wing
- USAF Weapons School (3 Feb 2003-Present)
- 93d Bombardment Wing (16 Jun 1952-15 Jun 1994)
- 93d Bomb Group (1 Mar 1942-16 Jun 1952)
[edit] Previous designations
- 328th Weapons Squadron (24 Jan 2003-Present)
- 328th Bomb Squadron (1 Sep 1991-15 Jun 1994)
- 328th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy (1952-1991)
- 328th Bombardment Squadron, Medium (28 May 1948 - 1 Feb 1955)
- 328th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy (23 May 1945 - 28 May 1948)
- 328th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy (20 Aug 1943 - 23 May 1945)
- 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (28 Jan 1942 - 20 Aug 1943)
[edit] Bases stationed
- Nellis AFB, Nevada (2003-Present)
- Castle AFB, California (1946-1994)
- Clovis AAFld, NM, 13 Dec 1945 - 1946
- Pratt AAFld, KS, 24 Jul 1945;
- Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 26 Jun 1945;
- Hardwick, England, c. 6 Dec 1942-15 Jun 1945
- Alconbury, England, 7 Sep 1942;
- Ft Myers, FL, 18 May-13 Aug 1942;
- Barksdale Field, LA, 1 Mar 1942;
[edit] Aircraft operated
- B-52H (1974-1993)
- B-52G (1966-1967; 1974-1994)
- B-52F (1958-1974)
- B-52E (1957-1958; 1967-1970)
- B-52D (1956-1958)
- B-52B (1955-1965)
- B-47 (1954-1955)
- B-50 (1949-1954)
- B-29 (1945-1949)
- B-24 (1942-1945)
[edit] References
- ^ 328th Weapons Squadron Factsheet: Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ "USAF WEAPONS SCHOOL TODAY" Col Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
- ^ Weapons Squadrons Activation Ceremony 2003
[edit] External links
- []
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