BURY ST. EDMUNDS, England -- Airmen assigned to the 94th Airlift Wing stepped onto historic ground May 17, returning to Rougham Airfield, where their World War II 94th Bombardment Group predecessors launched missions more than 80 years ago.
In a ceremony marked by reflection and reverence, Airmen laid wreaths at a memorial located at the Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum. A rendition of “Taps” echoed across the small museum’s countryside, honoring the more than 600 Airmen of the 94th BG who lost their lives during the war. The 94th AW Airmen were in England for advanced tactical flying through congested, unfamiliar airspace to enhance readiness.
“This is where it all started for us,” said Col. Michael Parks, 94th AW commander. “We wanted Airmen to see some of the legacy and the history of our unit as the Bloody Hundredth has been doing for decades. We want to integrate a bit more of the Big Square A culture into the 94th Airlift Wing.”
The Square A culture refers to the designation on the tail of planes assigned to the 94th BG. A black square with a large, white ‘A’ was painted on the tails of silver aircraft. On green aircraft, a white square with a large, black ‘A’ was painted. The Bloody Hundredth–the 100th Bombardment Group–flew with a Square D on their aircraft.
A highlight of the visit to Rougham Control Tower Airfield Museum was a presentation from Cliff Hall, a local historian and lifelong resident of the Bury St. Edmunds area. Hall, who was a young boy during World War II, recounted personal stories of his interactions with U.S. Army Air Forces members stationed at the airfield. In a moment that blended nostalgia with education, Hall used a manual slide projector to share stories—an object unfamiliar to many younger Airmen in the room.
“It was meaningful and deeply moving to connect with our heritage,” said Maj. Latessa Meador, 700th Airlift Squadron pilot and mission planner. “Hearing first-hand accounts from Cliff Hall at the historical Rougham Tower was a once in a lifetime experience. The impact these experiences had on the Airmen will last a lifetime.”
Following the presentation, Airmen explored the museum’s exhibits and engaged in conversation with Hall and fellow museum volunteers. The museum, located with the restored control tower, showcases what daily life was like on the base during the war. Items on display include uniforms, mission logs and personal effects that tell the human side of global conflict.
The 94th BG, part of the Eighth Air Force, played a critical role in the Allied strategic bombing campaign during World War II, flying the B-17 Flying Fortress through 324 missions in 8,884 sorties over Nazi-occupied Europe from its base at Rougham Airfield from 1943-45. The bombing campaign played a pivotal role in the Allied victory in Europe.
The group earned distinction for its precision and resilience, including its participation in the December 24, 1944, mission over Germany in support of the Battle of the Bulge, one of the largest airstrikes of the war. During that mission, Brig. Gen. Frederick Castle, who had previously flown with the 94th, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save his crew, embodying the valor that defines the Square A legacy.
Today’s Airmen serve in a very different context, but the lessons of courage, sacrifice and duty remain essential.
“Remember the legacy of the Big Square A, when B-17 aircrews took off not knowing if they’d made it back,” said Parks. “The uncertainty they faced demanded incredible resilience to get the job done. Today, while I expect our crews to return safely and our challenges are different, we still need that same resilience to operate in any air space, anywhere, anytime, to succeed in any mission."
As the group departed Rougham, the sentiments shared were consistent: a deeper respect for the past and renewed motivation for the future.
“I’ll be able to share more about our heritage with all of our Airmen at Dobbins,” said Technical Sgt. Adam Strom, 94th Operations Support Squadron section chief. “Why we have the Square A and the yellow and red stripe on our tail, how that differentiates us as the 94th. I look forward to adding to that heritage.”