69th Bomb Squadron reactivates at Minot AFB

The 69th Bomb Squadron was reactivated during an activation ceremony here Sept. 3. The new unit is the fourth operational B-52H Stratofortress squadron in the Air Force and joins the 23rd Bomb Squadron as the second squadron at Minot. Barksdale Air Force Base, La. has two operational B-52 units, the 20th and 96th.

The new squadron was established to provide each B-52 Wing with two active-duty combat coded squadrons, which will give the Air Force “bench depth” to rotate the squadrons across the mission sets as recommended in the Defense Science Board Report. The much anticipated stand-up was previously announced in 2008 and extensive studies were conducted to determine which base the unit would best fit. Minot was announced as the home and the 69th Bomb Squadron was designated for reactivation on Aug. 28.

“The activation of the 69th Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base is a historic event that continues the legacy of the distinguished 69th Bomb Squadron. In World War II, the 69th Bomb Squadron deployed A-26 and B-26 bombers to Australia and the South Pacific. And during the Vietnam War, the 69th Bomb Squadron stepped up to the plate and deployed B-52 aircraft to Guam and Thailand,” said Maj. Gen. Floyd Carpenter, 8th Air Force Commander. “Now more than 65 years after its initial activation, the 69th Bomb Squadron returns to provide deterrence forces and help balance the demands of both the nuclear and conventional missions of the B-52 fleet.”

“The 69th has close ties with the 5th [Bomb Wing], and definitely a logical choice” said Lt. Col. Kevin J. Notari, 5th Operations Group Detachment 1 commander. “Both units fought simultaneously out of two different locations in the Southwest Pacific theatre during World War II. Furthermore, the unit was the first Air Force unit to fly night low level combat sorties during the first three days of Desert Storm” he added.

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