The 528th Bombardment Squadron was formed at Tucson Arizona on 3 November 1942. The squadron went through combat training at Biggs Field, Texas and Lowry Field, Colorado, before leaving for overseas in April of 1943 bound for the southwest pacific, with their B-24 Liberator bombers. The air echelon had already arrived at Fenton Field in Northern Australia when the ground elements started out from Port Darwin by truck. The meaning of "Northern Territory" was made clear to every member who made the trip from Port Darwin to Fenton by truck. There were no signs of life except for the herds of curious kangaroos that froze on sight and then scampered away. This was to be the home of the 528th for the next fourteen months.

From its home at Fenton, the 528th reached out to the Japanese installations in the Netherlands East Indies, striking at well fortified Japanese oil refining and dock facilities, and cutting the Japanese supply lines. On 23 April 1944, on a bombing run over Noemfoor Island, five aircraft of the 528th Participated in the wildest shooting spree of the war for the squadron. These five B-24s were intercepted by twenty-five Japanese fighters and a very hot battle ensued for the next hour. Twelve of the enemy fighters were shoot down, all five of the Liberators managed to make it back to Fenton, although heavily damaged. The squadron was not without losses though, one deadly and six wounded. This battle resulted in 21 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Silver Stars being awarded to members of the 528th.

After the war the 528th was inactivated. In 1947, the 528th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated as a reserve unit of the Strategic Air Command in Florida. The squadron remained an inactive reserve unit until 1951 when the squadron was inactivated. The 528th Squadron was again activated in 1955 as part of the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing and equipped with the B-47 "Stratojet". Flying the B-47, the 528th took a place as part of SAC's nuclear deterrent to war. The squadron flew the B-47 until they were phased out of the Air Force inventory in 1965.

The B-47s were replaced by the B-52 "Stratofortress" in 1966 and the 528th was the only squadron assigned to the wing at this time. Crews of the 528th were deployed in support to the war in Southeast Asia on a rotating TDY basis for Arc Light operations in the late 60s.

In 1969, it was announced that the 528th would be receiving the Air Force's newest weapons system, the FB-111A. The record of the 528th and the "Switchblade" is impressive. While maintaining the largest Alert Force commitment in the command, the squadron never failed an Operational Readiness Inspection or Buy None. In 1976, the Weapons Delivery Capability and Bombing Reliability for both evaluation was 100%. In 1977, an all-time SAC record for bombing accuracy was set, and during a December 1978 evalaution, a record number of releases was achieved with "Outstanding" reliability. This sustained professional competence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 45th Air Divission Award for Outstanding Bombardment Squadron and General John D. Ryan Award (1976), and two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards (1975 and 1978).

At the annual SAC Bomb Comp in 1974, the tradition begun by "The Pride of the Adirondacks" was revived by an FB-111A nick-named "Apple One". A 528th crew won top honors and helped to bring the Fairchild Trophy to Plattsburgh. In 1975, another 528th team took the Best Crew Award and Plattsburgh took the High Noon Trophy. With three of the four crews wearing the gold scarf, the unprecedented second consecutive Fairchild Trophy was won in 1976. The 528th BS was recognized as the "Best Bomb Squadron in SAC" in 1976 and earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1978.

Until deactivation in 1991, the crews of the 528th Bomb Suadron have achieved an enviable record by successfully participating in numerous special missions such as Bullet Blitz, Red Flag and Giant Mask. The unprecedented winning of five Fairchild Trophies speaks for itself. Only a unit with the highest quality personnel could have accomplished this sustained effort.

The emblem of the 528th Bomb Squadron dates back to May 5, 1943 when it was approved. The emblem is symbolic of World War II squadrons operations.

On a golden orange disc, thin border black, a caricatured figure with brown flight suit and aviator's helmet, riding a blue aerial bomb with red and white band on tail fins, falling to dexter base, and carrying a machine gun grey with perforated cooling jacket, emitting blue smoke from the barrel.