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BOMBARDIER TRAINING

Acknowledgement: Information from the book, "Bombardiers of WWII", Turner Publishing and M. T. Publishing Company. 

 

 

ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO

LATER WALKER AIR FORCE BASE
This is a field with many hued-air training background. The first class of multi-engine pilots graduated 26 July 1942 although most of their training was taken while runway concrete was being poured. The first Bombardier Cadet Class, 42-12, graduated on 5 September 1942. 78 cadets were commissioned Second Lieutenants, Bombardier training for cadets continued through class 43-16 which graduated 75 on 13 November 1943. Simultaneously on 13 November 1943 the first class of 86 student officer navigators graduated and were awarded the MOS of 1036 (Bombardier/Navigator). They had begun training in September of 1943. These dual rated individuals were needed to crew the medium bombers (B-25s and B-26s) and the lighter attack aircraft (A-20s and A-26s), and later B-29s. Through cadet class, 42-16, 22 classes had graduated. A total of 10 navigator student officers classes followed. The last class of these dually trained individuals, 44-8, graduated 23 June 1944 and Roswell resumed aviation cadet training. Four cadet classes followed with the last, 44-49 receiving their wings on 2 December 1944. After bombardier training ceased, the field continued to function in varied and changed capacities.

 

Units that served at Roswell - Source: Mark Boland

 

  • Hq, 38th Flying Training Wing

  • Hq and Hq Sq, 314th Two-Engine Flying Training Group

  • 548th Two-Engine Flying Training Squadron

  • 549th Two-Engine Flying Training Squadron

  • 550th Two-Engine Flying Training Squadron

  • 551st Two-Engine Flying Training Squadron

  • Hq and Hq Sq, 325th Bombardier Training Group

  • 546th Bombardier Training Squadron

  • 547th Bombardier Training Squadron

  • 552nd Bombardier Training Squadron

  • 553rd Bombardier Training Squadron

  • 966th Bombardier Training Squadron

  • 91st Base Hq and Air Base Squadron

  • 925th Guard Squadron

  • 42nd Aviation Squadron (Colored)

  • 343rd AAF Band

  • 91st Sub Depot

  • Det, 3rd Army Airways Communications Squadron

  • Det, 3rd Weather Squadron

  • Finance Detachment (AAFGCTC)

  • Medical Detachment, Station Hospital (AAFGCTC)

  • Veterinary Detachment (AAFGCTC)

  • Det, 2053rd Ordnance Service Company (Aviation)

  • Det, 909th Quartermaster Service Company (Aviation)

  • Det, 858th Signal Service Company (Aviation)