The 377th Bombardment Group was activated in October 1942 as the headquarters for antisubmarine units operating along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Shortly after it was organized, Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command reorganized its squadrons in the area to reassign them directly to the 25th Antisubmarine Wing and the group was inactivated. In 1985, the group was redesignated the 357th Tactical Missile Group.
History The group was first activated as the 377th Bombardment Group on 18 October 1942, when it replaced the 59th Observation Group at Fort Dix Army Air Field and assumed its mission, personnel and equipment. It was equipped with the various observation aircraft flown by the 59th, but its squadrons would finally convert to North American B-25 Mitchell bombers shortly after the 377th was inactivated.Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 265-266Maurer, Combat Units, p. 123 only one of the group's squadrons, the 516th Bombardment Squadron, was located with it at Fort Dix.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 773-774 Its 517th Bombardment Squadron was at Atlantic City Airport, New Jersey;Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 785 the 518th Bombardment Squadron was at Grenier Field, New Hampshire;Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 786-787 while the 519th Bombardment Squadron made its home at Hyannis Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Massachusetts.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 265–266
Just as the group was activating, the Army Air Forces organized its antisubmarine forces into the single Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, which established the 25th Antisubmarine Wing the following month to control its forces operating over the Atlantic.Maurer, Combat Units, p. 437Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 388-389 The group's squadrons were all renamed as antisubmarine squadrons in late November. The command's bombardment group headquarters, including the 377th, were inactivated and the group's squadrons were assigned directly to the 25th Wing.
In July 1985, the group was redesignated the 357th Tactical Missile Wing, but it has never been active under this name.Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations
Lineage Constituted as the 377th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 13 October 1942 Activated on 18 October 1942 Inactivated on 9 December 1942Lineage through 1942 in Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 265-266 Redesignated 357th Tactical Missile Wing on 19 July 1985
Assignments Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, 18 October 1942 – 9 December 1942
Components 516th Bombardment Squadron (later 11th Antisubmarine Squadron), 18 October – 9 December 1942 517th Bombardment Squadron (later 12th Antisubmarine Squadron), 18 October – 9 December 1942 518th Bombardment Squadron (later 13th Antisubmarine Squadron), 18 October – 9 December 1942 (attached to Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command)Maurer, in Combat Units says the squadron was assigned to the 377th Group, but in Combat Squadrons says it was assigned to the 25th Wing. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 265-266; Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 786-787 519th Bombardment Squadron (later 14th Antisubmarine Squadron), 18 October – 9 December 1942
Stations Fort Dix Army Air Base, New Jersey, 18 October 1942 – 9 December 1942
Aircraft Douglas O-46 North American O-47 Stinson O-49 Vigilant Curtiss O-52 Owl
Campaign Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates NotesAntisubmarine18 October 1942 – 9 December 1942377th Bombardment Group
References
Notes Explanatory notes
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