Thirteenth Air Force began operations in November 1942 as an organization composed of many widely separated Seventh Air Force and independent units scattered in the South Central Pacific during the Solomon Islands campaign . Ten Keystone B-3 and B-4 bombers from the group's 23d and 72d Bombardment Squadrons dropped 20, 600-pound bombs around the volcano to divert molten lava away from the town. During the time, its members accumulated more than 13,300 medals and decorations. As a security measure, the airplane windows were blacked out. This was in line with the Mainland practice in changing longstanding names of airports to that of the city where the airport was located. The Navy established a weather and communications facility at Upolu Airport and used it as an auxiliary field to the Naval Air Station, Hilo for training of carrier pilots. Canadian Pacific Airlines inaugurated air service to Honolulu. Glenn T. Belcher was elected chairman and Robert L. Campbell was appointed Director of Aeronautics. with Thirteenth AF during the Allied drive from the Solomons to the Naval Air Station, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, with the primary mission of maintaining and operating a base for Naval Air Transport Units, Pacific Wing. A contract for grading and paving a 3,750 foot runway was let for $359,627. During the nearly four years of war, the group participated in 10 major campaigns, flew more than 1,000 combat missions and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The Japanese attack sunk 18 American ships and destroyed 188 American aircraft and caused 2,335 American military deaths while losing 29 Japanese planes, damaging 50 Japanese planes and suffering fewer than 100 Japanese deaths. Trans-Ocean Airlines inaugurated air service to Hawaii. 38th: 1947-1949. The field was officially designated as Naval Air Station Honolulu. After the war it was regraded and opened to small aircraft operation. The 14th Bomb Sq. Its mission is to manage and operate B-52H Stratofortress bombers serve as part of the Air Force's conventional and strategic combat force. Colonel Douglas Cox was appointed new wing commander. The greater portion of the lands on which the airport was constructed was already owned by the Territory. 5th BG "Bomber Barons": 307th BG "The Long Rangers": 868th BS "Snoopers . First significant deployment of aircraft from Hawaiian Air Force begins with movement of 6 B-17s, commanded by Lt. Col. Walter c. Sweeney, to Palmyra for duty with TG 8.9. Luke Field, TH, 15 Aug 1919; Hickam Field, TH, 1 Jan The landwas owned by the Territory of Hawaii, Army- Navy and Hawaii Commercial and Sugar Company. Shield: Party per pale nebuly vert and sable a death's 1946, 1947. These included the CAA Control Tower, Airways Traffic Control and Communication Center, U.S. Customs, U.S. Immigration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Public Health and U.S. In April 2005, the wing forward deployed aircraft and personnel to the 40th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of U.S. Central Command combat operations in Afghanistan. 1939, and 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in Nov 1940. Gen. Walter H. Frank relieved Brig. Act 23, Session Laws of Hawaii 1947, appropriated $270,000 for construction of Lihue Airport. The total capacity of Oahu for aircraft is not recorded but must have been somewhere in the vicinity of 1,200. Performed long-range strategic reconnaissance, July 1949 October 1955, with some limited reconnaissance to September 1958. Consolidated 19 September 1985 with the 41st Air Refueling Squadron (KC-135). operations including raids on enemy bases and installations on Luzon, An attack by Japanese forces was expected in the Philippines. In 1947 overseas operations between Honolulu and the Mainland through Honolulu from the Philippines, Australia and the Orient totaled 2,729 arrivals at Honolulu Airport: Pan American World Airways, 1,794; Transocean (including PAL), 300; United Air Lines, 247; Australian National Airways, 168; Pacific Overseas Airlines, 95; Matson Navigation Co., 53; China National Aviation Co., 33; Royal Netherlands Indies Airways, 27; Far Eastern Air Transport, Inc, 8; and Qantas Airways, 4. It was built on Parker Ranch land. By Act 23 of the 1947 Session of the Territorial Legislature, an amount of $105,000 was appropriated for the development. The Secretary of the Navy redesignated the Naval Air Station, Keehi Lagoon as U.S. One plane was destroyed and three badly damaged. Trans-Air Hawaii, initiated four DC-3s in freight and express service and carried a total of 12 millionpounds during the year 1947. and Leyte. Insigne. With modern technology and advanced weapons like the JDAM and JASSM, the 5th's B-52 are expected to remain operational until the year 2040. Assigned to Strategic Air Space in the overseas terminal appeared to be at a premium. Two asphalt concrete runways were built: 1,000 feet wide and 8,400 and 8,300 feet in length. Plans were being developed for a new airport in the Hana District. Extensive construction was undertaken to provide a base for seaplane and landplane operations, principally for the Naval Air Transport Service. The 5th raided the heavily defended Japanese base on Woleai during April and May 1944 and received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the action. Itwas used by non-scheduled operators. Began converting to B-36's. Ceram, Halmahera, and Formosa; support for ground forces in the Australian National Airways inaugurated air service. Philippines. The 5th Operations Group (5 OG) is an operational component of the United States Air Force 5th Bomb Wing, stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Most users of the airport are commercial operators and the Army and Navy operating between the islands. Flew missions to the Netherlands Indies, receiving a DUC for He and six others . This area, whichwas under lease to the Navy,was in the process of being declared surplus to their needs and returned to the Territory. Reconstruction of Lanai Airport was started on April 12, 1948 and was the first Territorial Airport to be developed under joint Civil Aeronautics Administration-Territorial participation of funds. Then struck enemy bases and installations on Bougainville, New The landplane area at John Rodgers airport had been filled by spoil from seaplane channel dredging and three runways were completed. The Navy moved its crash-fire equipment from the south side of the airport toits main fire station on the north side. They landed at Clark Field, Manila on September 12. Activities included training, participating in Army-Navy maneuvers, staging aerial reviews and sowing seeds from the air for the Territorial Forestry Division. and Southwest Pacific with B-17 and B-24 aircraft, served in combat 1950-16 Jun 1952. The airportwas used mainly by commercial airlines operating between the islands. An attack against naval vessels at sea was found to be a job best done by low-altitude B-25 Mitchell/B-26 Marauder medium bombers or by Douglas A-24 Banshee dive bombers. One was destroyed, three others badly damaged. The Navy moved onto Hilo Airport under agreement with the Army and constructed a Naval Air Station on which to base and train two full air groups. 5th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) Trinidad, Waller Field 9th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 1st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) . The completed runway, 5,700 feet long by 1,000 feet wide, was paved with asphalt concrete. In lieu of restoration, The Army paid the Territory $17,500 to match the Legislative appropriation for construction. This amount was matched by CAA funds, making a total of $210,000. Kalaupapa Leper Settlement on Molokai was isolated and the Gambo Flying Service was authorized by the military to furnish emergency transportation of medical supplies, etc. LATEST NEWS; ABOUT US; B-1B Lancers integrate with partners, build interoperability during exercise COPE INDIA 2023 . Plans for future development of this airport were not made since negotiationswere under way with the Navy for a long-term lease on Kahului Naval Air Station which was considered much more desirable for commercial airline operation. Netherlands Indies Airlines inaugurated air service. On the north side of the field, the Navy built the Naval Air Station Honolulu to support the Naval Air Transport operations and to house about 5,000 men. Total of 55 P-40s had arrived by carrier. Each is paved to a width of 200- feet. The Hawaiian Islands were placed on alert. An Oahu Local Air Traffic Guide published on July 15, 1944 by the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 7th Air Force shows 13 airfields and a local air traffic pattern to be entered at 1,500 feet above mean sea level. The work was completed May 22, 1948. The 5th Operations Group's history dates back more than eight decades to the infancy of military aviation. Georgia, 4 Feb 1944; Momote Airfield, Los Negros, 7 Apr 1944; Wakde, 17 Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear and other artifacts? The Marine Corps built a small airstrip near Kamuela, Hawaii. 338th: 1947-1949. It was asphalt concrete and 400feet by 50,000 feet long. Runway construction at Hickam Field, 1940. Britain, and New Ireland. 23d Matriel Squadron. Naval Air Station Honolulu (NAS 29) was operational in late 1943 but was commissioned on January 1, 1944. The following aeronautical activities were available at Honolulu Airport: Scheduled Airlines (Overseas)Pan American Airways, United Air Lines, China National Aviation Corporation, British Commonwealth Pacific Airways and Philippine Airlines; Non-scheduled (Overseas)Trans-Ocean Airlines (Guam-USA, China USA), Pacific Overseas Airlines (Contract & Ferry); Scheduled InterislandHawaiian Airlines (Passenger and Freight); Trans-Air Hawaii (Temporary permit); Non-scheduled InterislandAndrew Flying Service, K-T Flying Service, Hawaiian Air Transport Service, Cockett Airlines, Island Flight Service; Trans-Pacific Airlines; Flying SchoolsAndrew Flying Service, K-T Flying Service, Hawaiian School of Aeronautics, Aero Service & Supply; Island Flight Service; Mechanics SchoolsHonolulu Vocational; Repair Shops (Light Plane)Andrew Flying Service, K-T Flying Service, Hawaiian School of Aeronautics, Leighton & Schriver Metal Shop, Aviation Radio Maintenance Company, Associated Aircraft Repair, Aero Service & Supply; Repair Shops (Heavy Planes)Hawaiian Airlines, Trans-Pacific Airlines, Trans-Air Hawaii, Hawaiian Air Transport Service, Cockett Airlines, Pan American Airways; Government PlanesMilitary Air Transport Service, Utility Flight Unit, Civil Aeronautics Administration. Command. This page is not available in other languages. The Hawaiian Air Force was activated (General Order 37, October 28, 1940). John Rodgers Airport was renamed Honolulu Airport upon the approval of Act 31, Session Laws of Hawaii 1947, entitled An Act to Officially Establish the Name of Honolulu Airport changed the name of John Rodgers Airport and Keehi Lagoon Seaplane Harbor to Honolulu Airport. Associated Airways inaugurated air service to Honolulu. B-17Es taking off on a Battle of Midway mission, including aircraft numbers: 41-2524, 41-2611( of the 31st Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group), 41-2532, 41-2437(of the 98th Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group). Haleiwa Airfieldwas on privately owned land under lease to the U.S. Army and was used by both the Army and Navy during the War. 31st Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomber Group, Heavy | American Battle Monuments Commission Cemeteries & Memorials Burial Search Education About Us News Data Multimedia Contact Us 31st Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomber Group, Heavy Home 31st Bomber Squadron, 5th Bomber Group, Heavy Legacy ID 18554 Legacy Alias The station was to serve as a terminal for NATS and Pan American Airways. Today Bomb Squadrons are considered to be part of the Combat Air Force (CAF) along with fighter squadrons. Four Fan Fanny - Nose Art. 31st Bombardment Squadron | 5th Bombardment Group | Thirteenth Air Force RIP Bob Hudson, USMF Founder. 55th Fighter Group: 31st Bomb Squadron: 55th Fighter Squadron: 31st Fighter Group: . They discontinued operations in August 1947. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack all airports were taken over by the armed forces of the United States. Stations. Every available foot of frontage for fixed base operators at John Rodgers Airport was optioned by mid-1946. Redesignated 5th Bombardment Group in March 1938, 5th Bombardment Group (Medium) in December 1939, and 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in November 1940. Following that incident, the wing failed a nuclear surety inspection conducted by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in May 2008. It became NAS 14 and was intended to support four air carrier groups. NAS 1504 at Midway was supported by Barbers Point NAS. Contact Squadron Veterans: Contact information for 31st BS Veterans. Remained in During the war, the wing's B-52s flew more than 120 combat missions and logged more than 1,600 combat flying hours. STATIONS. Construction plans for the new Hana Airportwere about 30 percentcomplete. Two Hawaiian Airlines transports were damaged on the ground during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The following airports were under the management of the Hawaii Aeronautics Commission: OahuHonolulu Airport, Bellows Field, Haleiwa Airport; KauaiPort Allen Airport; MolokaiKalaupapa Airport, Molokai (Homestead) Airport; MauiMaui Airport (Puunene), Kahului Airport, Hamoa Airport (Hana); LanaiLanai Airport; and HawaiiGeneral Lyman Field (Hilo Airport), Kamuela Airport, Upolu Airport; Morse Field (South Cape). 6th Pursuit: 1919-1927. 69th Observation Group 31st Observation Squadron (O-49, O-52) 82d Observation Squadron (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-52) Sherwood Field, Paso Robles The base consisted of two groups: 1) 5th Bomb Group, consisting of 5 squadrons, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 23rd Bomb Squadron, 31st Bomb Squadron, 72nd Bomb Squadron and 4th Recon Group. in Hawaii. The mission of the base, the support of Naval Air Transport Service, remains unchanged except that operations are to be conducted on a reduced sale. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines. He was a bombardier in the 571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group and his aircraft "Decatur Deb" was shot down on May 28, 1944.