bombardier (rank)

For Bombardier Group, Canada see: Bombardier Bombardier and lance-bombardier are British Army ranks used in the Royal Artillery instead of (respectively) corporal and lance-corporal. Originally, the Royal Artillery had corporals and a bombardier was junior to them and wore a single chevron. In 1920, however, corporals were replaced by bombardiers, who acquired the normal two chevrons. In the Canadian Forces, the Artillery Branch uses the ranks master bombardier and bombardier instead of master corporal and corporal. In the United States Air Force, a bombardier is a position held by an officer onboard an Air Force bomber. The Bombardier is responsible for assisting the Navigator in guiding the plane to a bombing target and, once above the target, the Bombardier holds release authority for the aircraft's bomb load. During the Second World War, Bombardiers were recognized with the award of the Bombardier Badge. In the modern age, the title of Bombardier has fallen into disuse due to a rise of computer technology and smart bombs.

Bombardier (Rank)

See Also