VI Bomber Command

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title: "VI Bomber Command" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["intermediate-bomber-commands-of-the-united-states-army-air-forces", "military-units-and-formations-disestablished-in-1946", "military-units-and-formations-established-in-1941"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VI_Bomber_Command" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

Field	Value
unit_name	VI Bomber Command
image	1st Bombardment Squadron B-18 Bolo - Trinidad 1942.jpg
image_size	300px
caption	VI Bomber Command B-18 Bolo on Trinidad in 1942
dates	1941–1946
country
branch
role	Command of bombardment units
motto	Alae Supra Canalem Latin Wings Over the Canal
battles	Antisubmarine Campaign (American Theater)
identification_symbol	[[File:6thbombcommand-emblem.jpg
identification_symbol_label	VI Bomber Command emblemApproved 18 March 1942.
::

|unit_name=VI Bomber Command |image=1st Bombardment Squadron B-18 Bolo - Trinidad 1942.jpg |image_size=300px |caption=VI Bomber Command B-18 Bolo on Trinidad in 1942 |dates=1941–1946 |country= |branch= |type= |role=Command of bombardment units |size= |command_structure= |garrison= |motto=Alae Supra Canalem Latin Wings Over the Canal |mascot= |battles=Antisubmarine Campaign (American Theater) |notable_commanders= |identification_symbol=[[File:6thbombcommand-emblem.jpg|165px]] |identification_symbol_label=VI Bomber Command emblemApproved 18 March 1942. |identification_symbol_2= |identification_symbol_2_label=

The VI Bomber Command was a military formation of the United States Army Air Forces. Its last assignment was with Sixth Air Force. It was based throughout its service at Albrook Field, in the Panama Canal Zone. It was inactivated on 1 November 1946.

It engaged in antisubmarine operations from the Canal Zone. It was credited with two submarines sunk and shared two others.

Lineage

• Constituted as the **6th Bomber Command ** on 17 October 1941Maurer indicates that the unit was constituted as the "VI" Bomber Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an arabic number in its name. The use of roman numerals to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. : Activated on 25 October 1941
• Res\designated **VI Bomber Command ** c. 18 September 1942 : Inactivated on 1 November 1946 : Disbanded on 8 October 1948

Assignments

• Caribbean Air Force (later 6th Air Force, Sixth Air Force), 25 October 1941 – 1 November 1946

Components

; Groups

• 6th Bombardment Group, 25 October 1941 – 1 November 1943
• 9th Bombardment Group, 25 October 1941 – 31 October 1942 (attached to VI Fighter Command after 28 January 1942)
• 25th Bombardment Group, 25 October 1941 – 6 April 1944
• 40th Bombardment Group, 25 October 1941 – 6 April 1942 (attached to 6th Interceptor Command after 15 January 1942); 22 June 1942 – 9 July 1943

; Squadrons

• 3d Bombardment Squadron, 1 November 1943 – 1 November 1946
• 10th Bombardment Squadron, attached 13 December 1943, assigned 17 December 1943 - c. 9 May 44
• 29th Bombardment Squadron, 1 November 1943 – 1 November 1946
• 59th Bombardment Squadron, 25 October 1941 – 19 March 1943 (attached to Trinidad Detachment, VI Fighter Command after 21 July 1942)
• 74th Bombardment Squadron, 1 November 1943 – 1 November 1946
• 397th Bombardment Squadron, 1 November 1943 – 1 November 1946

References

Notes

; Explanatory notes

; Citations

Bibliography

References

1. Maurer, pp. 444-445
2. Conaway, William. "Confirmed Sinkings of German U-Boats by VI Bomber Command Bombardment Aircraft". VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 - 45.
3. Conaway, William. "VI Bombardment Command History". VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 - 45.
4. (June 27, 2012). "Factsheet 6 Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
5. (August 6, 2019). "Factsheet 9 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
6. (March 26, 2018). "Factsheet 25 Attack Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
7. Haulman, Daniel L.. "Lineage and Honors History of the 40 Air Expeditionary Wing (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
8. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 19
9. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 54-55
10. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 145
11. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 232-233
12. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 270-271
13. Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 486-487

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