Origins and training The unit was activated on 1 March 1944 at
Cox Field, Paris, Texas under
Second Air Force. after a brief time for organization, the squadron was moved to
Pounds Field, near Tyler, Texas. Upon arrival, the squadron was composed of 109 enlisted and 12 officer personnel. At Pounds, the squadron was equipped with the
Stinson L-5 Sentinel, single engine light observation aircraft and on 1 May it was designated as a Commando squadron, being assigned to the
3d Air Commando Group. After a period of training, the squadron was reassigned to
Statesboro Army Airfield on 1 June where it joined with the 157th and 160th Liaison Squadrons which had been organized at
Brownwood Army Air Field, Texas. There it found the 341st Airdrome Squadron, which would serve as the service organization for all of the Liaison Squadrons. The mission of the Liaison Squadrons was to deploy to the
Philippine Islands in support of ground combat units, providing courier service, battlefield observation, medical evacuation and delivery of supplies and munitions by parachute drop or landing on nearby roads and unimproved airstrips. By the beginning of October 1944, the squadrons were judged ready to deploy. From Statesboro Army Air Field, Georgia the Squadron moved to Cross City AAB. Florida. In October they transferred to
Drew Field, Tampa Florida for final preparations. .** Captain Rush H. Limbaugh Jr, (father of the radio talk-show host) was assigned and assumed command of the squadron on 21 May 1944. He had formerly been assigned to the Key Field Replacement Training Unit (TE), Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi. Shortly after the squadron's arrival at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida, he was hospitalized with acute appendicitis and replaced by Lt. William G. Price III.
Assignments •
II Tactical Air Division, 1 March 1944 •
I Tactical Air Division, 18 April 1944 •
3d Air Commando Group, 1 May 1944 : Attached to: 5th Air Liaison Group (Provisional), May–September 1945 : Attached to: 310th Bombardment Wing, September 1945-25 March 1946 •
V Fighter Command, 25 March-31 May 1946
Stations •
Cox Field, Texas, 1 March 1944 •
Pounds Field, Texas, 25 March 1944 •
Statesboro Army Airfield, Georgia, 1 June 1944 •
Cross City Army Airfield, Florida, 18 August 1944 •
Drew Field, Florida, 6–26 October 1944 • Lete, Philippines, 1 December 1944 •
Mangaldan Airfield, Philippines, 31 January 1945 : Detachment operated from: Negros, 1 April-24 June 1945 : Detachment operated from: Cebu, Unknown-25 June 1945 • Okinawa, 30 August 1945 •
Kanoya Airfield, Japan, 10 September 1945 •
Itami Airfield, Japan, October 1945-31 May 1946
Aircraft •
Stinson L-5 Sentinel, 1944–1946 •
UC-64A Norseman, 1944–1946 ==References==