WWII
The 512th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) was constituted on October 19, 1942 and activated on 31 October 1942 at Lydda, Palestine in October 1942 flying B-17’s and B-24’s. The Squadron only operated the B-17’s during 1942 and were then moved to Abu Sueir, Egypt in 1942, Gambut, Soluch and Bengasi all in Libya during 1943. It then moved to Enfidaville, Tunisia in 1943 and then onto San Pancrazio, Italy where it would serve out the duration of the war.
512th Bombardment Squadron Consolidated B-24J-30-CO Liberator 42-73278, parked at Enfidaville Airfield, Tunisia, October 1943
On May 3, 1944, the squadron was redesignated as the 512th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, and later on May 23, 1945, it was further redesignated as the 512th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy. Following the conclusion of hostilities in Europe, the squadron returned to the US and was stationed at Harvard AAFld from May 8, 1945. Transitioning to B-29 aircraft for Pacific operations, the squadron commenced training, although the war ended before it could become fully operational. Subsequently, it relocated to Grand Island AAFld in June 1945 and then to Tarrant Field in November 1945, where it was eventually stripped of all personnel and equipment. Its final move was to Roswell AAFld in January 1946, where it was inactivated on March 26, 1946, with remaining resources absorbed by the 509th BG.
Weather Reconnaissance
The squadron was redesignated on May 6, 1947, becoming the 512th Reconnaissance Squadron, Very Long Range, Weather, and was subsequently activated on May 23, 1947. Assigned to the Air Weather Service, the squadron was initially based at Gravelly Point but did not have any personnel assigned to it. Later, on May 23, 1947, it was reassigned to the 376th Reconnaissance Group before being inactivated on September 20, 1948.
A B-29 Strotofortress cruises in the high altitude smooth air. (USAF Photo)
The squadron was reactivated on February 13, 1949, and initially assigned to the 308th Reconnaissance Group at Fairfield-Suisun AFB, later transferring to the 2143rd Air Weather Wing on November 14, 1949. Training commenced on B/RB/WB-29 aircraft before deployment to Japan on January 9, 1950. Upon arrival at Yokota AB, Japan, on January 27, 1950, the squadron immediately began daily weather reconnaissance missions over Korea in support of combat operations. Additionally, it conducted shipping surveillance, visual reconnaissance, ECM missions, and leaflet dropping. From June 27 to December 27, 1950, the squadron completed over 200 combat missions, conducting more than 5,000 weather observations. These missions were highly perilous due to unpredictable weather and the risk of enemy attacks. Notably, one of the squadron's WB-29s served as an aerial command post and weather station, providing crucial real-time weather data and guidance to incoming bombers during the first B-29 strike against North Korean targets. The squadron relocated to Misawa AB, Japan, on August 11, 1950, and was subsequently inactivated, with its responsibilities assumed by the 56th SRS on February 20, 1951.
SAC & Reflex
Shortly after its inactivation, the squadron was redesignated as the 512th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on May 25, 1951, and swiftly activated on June 1, 1951, at Forbes AFB. Joining the 376th Bombardment Group, it operated B-29 aircraft. The squadron relocated to Barksdale AFB on October 10, 1951. By 1952, its primary focus shifted towards conducting ECM missions.
In 1954, the squadron initiated its transition to the B-47 Stratojet, a cutting-edge bomber that positioned itself on the forefront of the Cold War. From July 8 to October 16, 1955, the entire squadron undertook a deployment to RAF Upper Heyford, England, as part of Operation REFLEX. During this period, the B-47s, supported by KC-97s, stood on alert, serving as a deterrent against potential Soviet preemptive strikes. The 90-day deployments were later replaced by 3-week deployments to various stations in England.
A B-47 Stratojet sits an alert on one of the hardstands at an RAF station. This image was a regular one at certain bases across England. (AFHRA)
The squadron relocated to Lockbourne AFB from December 1, 1957 and by 1961, the ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) mission became a primary focus for the squadron as the B-47 bombers were replaced by EB-47s. However, the squadron was discontinued and inactivated on March 15, 1965, coinciding with the cessation of Reflex missions in the same year.
Entrance to the 512th RQS.
Training, Special Ops and Rescue
The squadron underwent a redesignation as the 512th Special Operations Squadron on March 25, 1994, and was activated on April 1, 1994. It was assigned to the 58th Operations Group following the replacement of the 542nd Crew Training Wing, operating UN-1N's and HH-60G's from Kirtland AFB. The squadron maintained its focus on training helicopter crews while also engaging in special operations contingencies, exercises, and humanitarian missions. Subsequently, it was redesignated as the 512th Rescue Squadron on October 6, 2000.
A UH-1N assigned to the 512th Rescue Squadron banks left during a training flight. (USAF Photo/John Cochran)
December 17, 2020 saw the arrival of the new kid on the rescue block, the brand new designed and manufactured HH-60W Jolly Green II. A year later on the December 3 2025 Pavehawk 92-26468 (nicknamed "46shake") was the final HH-60G to leave Kirtland for retirement at the 'Boneyard' at Davis-Monthan AFB.
Kirtland AFB welcomes new HH-60W, Jolly Green II. The 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB welcomed the Air Force’s newest combat search and rescue helicopter, the HH-60W “Jolly Green II,” Dec. 17, 2020.(USAF Photo/James Fisher)
If you have any additional information about this patch or anything to add, for example, photos or stories, please contact me at
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