6th ARS wraps up year-long reflection

  • Published
  • By Mark Wilderman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Historian
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For the past year, the 6th Aerial Refueling Squadron here has celebrated the 70th anniversary of the activation of its ancestor squadron, the 6th Bombardment Squadron.

Members of the 6th ARS commemorated the event by wearing the patch of the famous World War II-era heavy bombardment squadron for the past year, which ended Feb. 1.

According to Lt. Col. Glen Goss, 6th ARS commander, the commemoration was inspired by the sacrifices of those who served in WWII, the "greatest generation." When he assumed command of the 6th ARS in April, Colonel Goss said, "the story of the greatest generation, its dedication to duty and the defense of our nation against a ruthless enemy will forever remain a part of our nation's history."

Colonel Goss said, some 70 years later, our generation, in a time of war, has turned to its military personnel for strength and leadership. And, once again, another great generation of Americans is defending our nation.

He said the actions of the 6th ARS will also become a part of American history. From the Western Pacific to Iraq, from Southeast Asia to Kandahar, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Horn of Africa, across the span of time and distance, for 70 years the 6th has a rich heritage of service and sacrifice from the front, the Colonel said.

The 6th Bombardment Squadron was activated Feb. 1, 1940, as part of America's emergency defense buildup just prior to its entry into WWII, initially equipped with the new Boeing YB-17 Flying Fortress. After America's entry into WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 6th squadron's operations included B-17 antisubmarine patrols against German U-boats in the Caribbean from MacDill Field Florida from January through June 1942 ; operational and replacement training for B-17 and B-24 Liberator bomber units from 1942 through 1944; and low- and high-altitude combat bombing operations with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress over Japan from North Field, Guam, Feb. 16th through Aug. 15th, 1945.

The squadron's wartime accomplishments to America's victory in WWII earned it a lasting place in Air Force history. The 6th Bombardment Squadron was awarded two distinguished unit citations for combat operations against Japan from March 31 and July 19 through 26, 1945.

The proud tradition of the 6th Bombardment Squadron continues today through the 6th ARS operating the McDonnell-Douglas KC-10A "Extender." Since its activation on January 3, 1989, the 6th ARS has been instrumental to the success of America's military and humanitarian operations around the world.

On Jan. 17th, the KC-10 community marked the 20th anniversary the KC-10 Extender that has been on continuous deployment to the Middle East in support of combat operations - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, along with aircrews and maintainers. Equally impressive, the KC-10 will hit 30 years of operational service in March.