1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. It was last assigned to the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at RAF Alconbury
, England
. It was inactivated on 15 January 1988
, the 21st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for aerial photo pilots, stationed at several airfields in the Midwest and Southeast as part of Second, Third and First Air Forces. Inactivated in 1944.
The 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was established by Tactical Air Command
in July 1947 at Lawson Field, Georgia to support Fort Benning
. Equipped with F-6D (later RF-51D) Mustangs. Reassigned to Pope Field, North Carolina in September. Flew aerial mapping and reconnaissance missions, largely over the mid-Atlantic region, supporting Army forces at Fort Bragg
during maneuvers. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget restrictions.
Reactivated as a Night Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, based in France
in 1952 as a result of the United States Cold War
military buildup in Europe
. Activated as a redesignation of the Alabama Air National Guard
112th TRS, which was federalized and brought to active duty during the Korean War
. The RB-26s were repainted black and the squadron was assigned a night reconnaissance mission supporting United States Army
and NATO ground forces in West Germany
.
In May 1953 the squadron moved to Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
as part of a USAFE reorganization. The World War II
-era RB-26s were replaced in October 1954 by Martin RB-57A Canberras, again painted black for night reconnaissance missions. In 1957 the RB-57s were transferred to Châteauroux-Déols Air Depot for shipment back to the United States and the 1st TRS was re-equipped with the Douglas RB-66C Destroyer.
Moved to RAF Alconbury
, England
in 1959 when the TAC 47th Bombardment Wing's B-45s were retired, and Spangdalem was redesignated as a Tactical Fighter Base. Continued operating the RB-66Cs for night reconnaissance, although rotated frequently to Toul Air Base until 1966 where its parent 10th TRW operated a forward location. In 1966 converted to the RF-4C Phantom II upon its introduction to USAFE. Flew the RF-4C for over 20 years from Alconbury, frequently participating in NATO exercises.
Unit history consolidated with the 21st TRS in 1985 to give the squadron a World War II history. Inactivated in 1988 with the withdrawal of the RF-4C from Europe, and the 10th TRW being transitioned into an A-10 Tactical Fighter Wing.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. It was last assigned to the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at RAF Alconbury
RAF Alconbury
RAF Alconbury is an active Royal Air Force station in Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is adjacent to the Stukeleys [Great and Little] and located about northwest of Huntingdon; about north of London....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was inactivated on 15 January 1988
History
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 21st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was a Replacement Training Unit (RTU) for aerial photo pilots, stationed at several airfields in the Midwest and Southeast as part of Second, Third and First Air Forces. Inactivated in 1944.
The 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was established by Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
in July 1947 at Lawson Field, Georgia to support Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
. Equipped with F-6D (later RF-51D) Mustangs. Reassigned to Pope Field, North Carolina in September. Flew aerial mapping and reconnaissance missions, largely over the mid-Atlantic region, supporting Army forces at Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
during maneuvers. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget restrictions.
Reactivated as a Night Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, based in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1952 as a result of the United States Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
military buildup in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Activated as a redesignation of the Alabama Air National Guard
Alabama Air National Guard
The Alabama Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is, along with the Alabama Army National Guard, an element of the Alabama National Guard...
112th TRS, which was federalized and brought to active duty during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. The RB-26s were repainted black and the squadron was assigned a night reconnaissance mission supporting United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and NATO ground forces in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
.
In May 1953 the squadron moved to Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
as part of a USAFE reorganization. The World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era RB-26s were replaced in October 1954 by Martin RB-57A Canberras, again painted black for night reconnaissance missions. In 1957 the RB-57s were transferred to Châteauroux-Déols Air Depot for shipment back to the United States and the 1st TRS was re-equipped with the Douglas RB-66C Destroyer.
Moved to RAF Alconbury
RAF Alconbury
RAF Alconbury is an active Royal Air Force station in Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is adjacent to the Stukeleys [Great and Little] and located about northwest of Huntingdon; about north of London....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1959 when the TAC 47th Bombardment Wing's B-45s were retired, and Spangdalem was redesignated as a Tactical Fighter Base. Continued operating the RB-66Cs for night reconnaissance, although rotated frequently to Toul Air Base until 1966 where its parent 10th TRW operated a forward location. In 1966 converted to the RF-4C Phantom II upon its introduction to USAFE. Flew the RF-4C for over 20 years from Alconbury, frequently participating in NATO exercises.
Unit history consolidated with the 21st TRS in 1985 to give the squadron a World War II history. Inactivated in 1988 with the withdrawal of the RF-4C from Europe, and the 10th TRW being transitioned into an A-10 Tactical Fighter Wing.
Lineage
- Consolidated with the 21st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 21 Sep 1985
- Constituted 21st Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 Feb 1942
- Activated on 2 Mar 1942
- Redesignated: 21st Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
- Redesignated: 21st Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomber) on 2 Apr 1943
- Redesignated: 21st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943
- Disbanded on 1 May 1944.
- Established as 1st Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 July 1947
- Activated on 8 September 1947
- Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949
- Redesignated as 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 July 1952
- Activated on 10 July 1952 by redesignation of 112th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
- Inactivated on 15 Jan 1988
Assignments
- HQ Air Force Combat Command, 2 Mar 1942
- HQ Army Air Forces, 9 Mar 1942
- 75th Observation (later Reconnaissance; Tactical Reconnaissance) Group75th Air Base WingThe 75th Air Base Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Hill Air Force Base, Ogden Utah.-Mission:Provide base operating support for the Ogden Air Logistics Center, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, 84th Combat Sustainment Wing, 309th Maintenance Wing, 526th ICBM Systems Wing,...
, 12 Mar 1942-1 May 1944. - 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group10th Tactical Reconnaissance GroupThe 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was to the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany...
, 8 Sept 1947-1 Apr 1949; 1 Jul 1952 - 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 8 Dec 1957 – 15 Jan 1988
Stations
- Langley Field, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 2 Mar 1942 - Kellogg Field, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, 9 Mar 1942 - Will Rogers Field, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, 30 Aug 1942 - William Northern Field, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, 12 Mar 1943 - Key FieldKey fieldA key field is a field or set of fields of a database table which together form a unique identifier for a database record . The aggregate of these fields is usually referred to simply as "the key". Key fields also define searches...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, 19 Aug 1943-1 May 1944
- Lawson Field, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 8 Sept 1947 - Pope Field, North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, 27 Sept 1947–1 Apr 1949 - Toul-Rosières Air BaseToul-Rosieres Air BaseToul-Rosières Air Base is a reserve French Air Force base. It is located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle département of France, 10 miles northeast of the city of Toul, on the west side of the Route nationale 411 Highway about one mile southeast of Rosières-en-Haye.Toul Air Base was used by American...
, FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, 1 Jul 1952 - Spangdahlem AB, West GermanyWest GermanyWest Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, 10 May 1953 - RAF AlconburyRAF AlconburyRAF Alconbury is an active Royal Air Force station in Cambridgeshire, England. The airfield is adjacent to the Stukeleys [Great and Little] and located about northwest of Huntingdon; about north of London....
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, 26 Aug 1959 – 15 Jan 1988
Aircraft
- Evidently L-4 and 0-47, 1942, 1943
- A-20 and B-25, 1942-1943
- P-39, P-40, and P-51, 1942-1943, 1943-1944
- F-6D/RF-51D Mustang, 1947-1949
- RB-26 Invader, 1952-1954
- RB-57A Canberra, 1954-1957
- RB-66C Destroyer, 1957-1966
- RF-4C Phantom II, 1966-1988