20th Aero Squadron
Military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 20th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.
20th Aero Squadron | |
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Active | 26 June 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 |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Lt. Cecil G. Sellers[1] |
Insignia | |
20th Aero Squadron Emblem | |
Aircraft flown | |
Bomber | Dayton-Wright DH-4, 1918–1919[2][1] |
Trainer | Curtiss JN-4, 1917 Standard J-1, 1917[2][1] |
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 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 20th Squadron.[2][6]
The current United States Air Force unit which holds its lineage and history is the 20th Bomb Squadron, assigned to the 2d Operations Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.[1]