Lineage. Organized as the 77 Aero Squadron (Construction) on 13 Aug 1917. Redesignated as 489 Aero Squadron (Construction) on 1 Feb 1918. Demobilized on 6 Mar 1919. Reconstituted and consolidated (1932) with 489 Bombardment Squadron, which was constituted and allotted to the Reserve on 31 Mar 1924. Disbanded on 31 May 1942. Consolidated (1958) with 489 Bombardment Squadron (Medium) which was constituted on 10 Aug 1942. Activated on 20 Aug 1942. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. Redesignated as 489 Bombardment Squadron, Light on 24 Oct 1947. Activated in the Reserve on 10 Nov 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Redesignated as 489 Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 11 Aug 1958. Activated on 1 Oct 1958. Discontinued and inactivated on 1 Jan 1962. Redesignated as 489 Reconnaissance Squadron on 14 Jun 2011. Activated on 26 Aug 2011. Inactivated on 1 May 2015. Redesignated as 489 Attack Squadron on 1 Dec 2016. Activated on 2 Dec 2016.
Assignments. Unkn, 13 Aug 1917; Air Service Production Center No. 2, 1918; unkn, c. 4 Jan-6 Mar 1919. 349 Bombardment Group, 31 Mar 1924-31 May 1942. 340 Bombardment Group, 20 Aug 1942-7 Nov 1945. 340 Bombardment Group, 10 Nov 1947-27 Jun 1949. 340 Bombardment Wing, 1 Oct 1958-1 Jan 1962. 9 Operations Group, 26 Aug 2011-1 May 2015. 432 Operations Group, 2 Dec 2016-.
Stations. Kelly Field, TX, 13 Aug 1917; Garden City, NY, 5 Nov-4 Dec 1917; St Maixent, Fraance, 1 Jan 1918; Romarantin, France, 13 Feb 1918; Brest, France, c. 4 Jan 1919-unkn; Camp Stuart, VA, c. 8 Feb 1919; Camp Lee, VA, Feb-6 Mar 1919. Boeing Field, WA, 31 Mar 1924-31 May 1942. Columbia AAB, SC, 20 Aug 1942; Walterboro, SC, 30 Nov 1942-30 Jan 1943; El Kabtrit, Egypt, 29 Mar 1943; Medinine, Tunisia, 13 Apr 1943; Sfax, Tunisia, 26 Apr 1943; Hergla, Tunisia, 3 Jun 1943; Comiso, Sicily, 2 Aug 1943; Catania, Sicily, 27 Aug 1943; San Pancrazio, Italy, 15 Oct 1943; Foggia, Italy, 25 Nov 1943; Pompeii, Italy, 5 Jan 1944; Paestum, Italy, 24 Mar 1944; Alesan, Corsica, 19 Apr 1944; Rimini, Italy, 4 Apr-c. 16 Jul 1945; Seymour- Johnson Field, NC, 9 Aug 1945; Columbia AAB. SC, 2 Oct-7 Nov 1945. Davis Field, OK, 10 Nov 1947-27 Jun 1949. Whiteman AFB, MO, 1 Oct 1958-1 Jan 1962. Beale AFB, CA, 26 Aug 2011-1 May 2015. Creech AFB, NV, 2 Dec 2016-.
Commanders. Unkn, 13 Aug 1917-16 Mar 1919. Unkn, 31 Mar 1924-Jan 1925; Maj Donald G. Graham, Jan 1925-12 Feb 1930; Maj David G. Logg, 12 Feb 1930-20 Feb 1939; Maj Robert D. Bedinger, 2 Mar-c. Jun 1939; Unkn, c. Jun 1939-31 May 1942. Unkn, 20 Aug 1942; Lt Fred M. Hampton, 15 Sep 1942; Maj Alexander H. Parrish, Jan 1943; Maj Leonard Kaufmann, 4 Jan 1944-1945. Unkn, 10 Nov 1947-27 Jun 1949. Maj Zane G. Hall, 1 Oct 1958; Maj Gilbert L. Hambleton (acting), Aug 1959; Lt Col Carl G. Payne, Sep 1959-unkn; Unkn, unkn-1 Jan 1962.
Aircraft. B-25, 1942-1945. B-47, 1958-1962. MC-12, 2011-2015. MQ-1, 2016-, MQ-9, 2016-.
Operations. During 1918, constructed Air Service bases and performed maintenance on US aircraft in France. Served as a Reserve unit from 1924 until May 1942. Trained in operation of B-25 Mitchell medium bomber from Aug to Jan 1943. From Mar-May 1943, flew combat missions against German lines of communications, troop and vehicle concentrations, artillery positions, strong points and airfields in Tunisia and enemy airfields and installations in Sicily. In Jun-Jul 1943, bombed German positions and installations on Sicily in preparation for the invasion of that island. In Aug 1943, attacked targets in mainland Italy in preparation for the invasion and from Sep 1943 to Apr 1944, attacked German lines of communications and transportation, troop and vehicle concentrations, artillery positions, strong points and airfields throughout the Italian peninsula, including the Anzio beachhead and Monte Cassino in Feb-Mar 1944. In Aug 1944, attacked bridges and coastal batteries in preparation for the American landing in southern France, Operation DRAGOON. From Aug 1944 to the end of the war in Europe, attacked enemy communications and transportation lines, troop formations, and installations in northern Italy. Served as a Reserve unit from Nov 1947 to Jun 1949. From Oct 1958 to Jan 1962, conducted training and exercises to prepare for long-range bombardment operations with atomic or conventional weapons. From Aug 2011-May 2015, served as the Flying Training Unit (FTU) for the tactical reconnaissance training program. Beginning in Dec 2016, conducted MQ-1 and MQ-9 launch and recovery training; deployed aircrews into areas of responsibility to execute takeoff, departure, arrival, and landing of air tasking order missions; delivered immediate persistent attack and reconnaissance combat operations in response to emerging base threats.
Service Streamers. World War I: Theater of Operations.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: North Africa and Sicily, [Apr]-17 Aug 1943; Italy, 23 Sep 1944. Meritorious Unit Award: 1 Jun 2013-31 May 2014. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jun 2011-31 May 2012; 1 Jun 2014-31 May 2015.
Lineage, Assignments, Honors, and Stations through 21 Jun 2017.
Commanders through Jan 1962.
Aircraft, and Operations through 21 Jun 2017.
Supersedes statement prepared in Nov 2013.
Emblem. Approved on 27 Oct 1959. The newest rendition approved on 27 February 2017.
Prepared by Carl E. Bailey.