736th Bombardment Squadron

736th Bombardment Squadron
Emblem of the 736th Bombardment Squadron
Active	1943-1969
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Bombardment

The 736th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 454th Bombardment Wing. It was last stationed at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, and was inactivated on 2 July 1969.

Established in mid-1943 as a B-24 Liberator heavy bomb squadron; trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in January 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force in Southern Italy.

Engaged in very long range strategic bombardment missions against enemy strategic targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans until April 1945. Bombed aircraft factories, assembly plants, oil refineries, storage areas, marshalling yards, airdromes, and other objectives until the German Capitulation in May 1945.

Most of squadron was demobilized in Italy in May 1945; returning to United States with skeleton staff. Re-equipped and redesignated a B-29 Superfortress very heavy bomb squadron, and received new personnel. Began training under Second Air Force for planned deployment to the Western Pacific Area (WPA), however Japanese Capitulation in August led to inactivation of squadron in October.

Reactivated in 1947 as a reserve Strategic Air Command B-29 Superfortress squadron; activated in 1951 and squadron aircraft and personnel being sent to Far East Air Forces Bomber Command as replacements. Squadron inactivated after personnel and equipment were deployed. Became a Tactical Air Command reserve Troop Carrier squadron shortly afterward; equipped with surplus C-46 Commandos. Personnel and equipment over by 403d Troop Carrier Wing and inactivated.