166th Aero Squadron
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 166th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.
166th Aero Squadron | |
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Active | 18 December 1917 – Present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army Air Service |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Day Bombardment |
Part of | American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) |
Engagements | World War I Occupation of the Rhineland |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Capt. Victor Parks Jr.[1] |
Insignia | |
166th Aero Squadron Emblem | |
Aircraft flown | |
Bomber | Dayton-Wright DH-4, 1918–1919[1][2] |
Trainer | Curtiss JN-4, 1917 Standard J-1, 1917[1][2] |
Service record | |
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Operations |
1st Day Bombardment Group
|
Victories |
The squadron was assigned as a Day Bombardment Squadron, performing long-range bombing attacks on roads and railroads; destruction of materiel and massed troop formations behind enemy lines. It also performed strategic reconnaissance over enemy-controlled territory, and tactical bombing attacks on enemy forces in support of Army offensive operations.[5]
After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron was assigned to the United States Third Army as part of the Occupation of the Rhineland in Germany. It returned to the United States in June 1919 and became part of the permanent United States Army Air Service in 1921, being re-designated as the 49th Squadron (Bombardment).[2][6]
The current United States Air Force unit which holds its lineage and history is the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, assigned to the 53d Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.[1]