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3rd Special Operations Squadron
MQ-1 Predator as previously operated by the squadron
Organized in France in April 1918, the Photographic Section No. 1 processed aerial photographs taken by flying units working with the
I Corps (American) and the French 38th Army Corps, 5 April–November 1918.[1]
Inter-war years
The 1st Photographic Section, from September 1919 until becoming the 3rd Observation Squadron on 1 June 1937, processed aerial photography of associated observation squadrons in Texas.[1]
World War II
At
Langley Field, Virginia, the squadron engaged in aerial observation work with the Coast Artillery School until April 1942. It supported ground forces on maneuvers during 1942, and served as a training and demonstration unit January 1943 – February 1944. The squadron was not manned or equipped, 1 Mar – 2 July 1944.[1]
Strategic Reconnaissance
Activated again in May 1952 under
Strategic Air Command as part of its global reconnaissance mission. The squadron did not receive its first aircraft until 1 July 1953, when it immediately began familiarization training, followed by in-flight refueling training in February 1954. It received
Boeing RB-47E Stratojet aircraft in March 1954, and conducted its first long-range mission (6 planes to Alaska for 10 days) in May 1954. The squadron deployed at RAF Upper Heyford, England, 14 September – 3 November 1954. Some of these flights were mounted from
Thule in Greenland and probed deep into the heart of the Soviet Union, taking a photographic and radar recording of the route attacking SAC bombers would follow to reach their targets. Flights which involved penetrating mainland Russia were termed SENSINT (Sensitive Intelligence) missions. One RB-47 even managed to fly 450 miles inland and photograph the city of
Igarka in Siberia. It photographed numerous Air Force bases and American cities, 1954–1958, and participated regularly in SAC exercises. Missions flown on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB-47 to Soviet
air defenses and the development of the U-2 aircraft. Became non-operational, 15 April – 1 July 1958. when it inactivated.[1]
Vietnam War
As the 3rd Air Commando Squadron in South Vietnam, it absorbed resources of the
14th Air Commando Squadron. It flew combat missions in
Douglas AC-47D gunships in close air support of ground forces, providing flare illumination and gunfire in support of strategic hamlets, outposts and friendly forces under night attack. From 16 February – 1 May 1969, all squadron aircraft were maintained on ground alert when not flying, due to the
Tet Offensive. It began transferring its gunships to the
Republic of Vietnam Air Force in June 1969 and flew its last mission on 7 August 1969.[1]
Electronic warfare training
The 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron was not equipped with aircraft. Rather, it operated
Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, the Pacific Air Forces Electronic Warfare Range, the Crow Valley Aerial Gunnery Range, and associated facilities. It provided realistic conventional, tactical, and electronic warfare training in a simulated combat environment during
Cope Thunder exercises. These exercises provided combat training for fighter aircrews of not only the U.S. Air Force, but also fighter crews of the US Marine Corps, US Navy, and allied air forces in the western Pacific area. Following the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in June 1991, personnel were evacuated, and the squadron remained unmanned until its inactivation.[1]
Special operations
Provided remotely piloted aircraft support to
special operations forces, 2005 – present.[1]
Lineage
Photographic Section No. 1
Organized as Photographic Section No. 1 on 4 April 1918
Demobilized on 3 July 1919
Reconstituted and consolidated with the 1st Photographic Section as the 1st Photographic Section on 23 March 1924[3][4]
3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
Authorized as the 1st Photographic Section on 15 August 1919
Organized on 27 September 1919
Consolidated with Photographic Section No. 1 on 23 March 1924[4]
Redesignated 3rd Observation Squadron on 1 June 1937
Redesignated 3rd Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 January 1942
Redesignated 3rd Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated 3rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
Disbanded on 2 July 1944
Reconstituted and redesignated 3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium on 9 May 1952
Activated on 28 May 1952
Inactivated on 1 July 1958
Consolidated with the 3rd Special Operations Squadron and the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron as the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 19 September 1985[3]
3rd Air Commando Squadron
Constituted as the 3rd Air Commando Squadron and activated on 5 April 1968 (not organized)
Organized on 1 May 1968
Redesignated 3rd Special Operations Squadron on 1 August 1968
Inactivated on 15 September 1969
Consolidated with the 3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron as the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 19 September 1985[3]
3rd Special Operations Squadron
Constituted as the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 13 May 1976
Activated on 15 May 1976
Consolidated with the 3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and the 3rd Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985
Inactivated on 30 September 1991
Redesignated 3rd Special Operations Squadron on 20 October 2005
IV Ground Air Support Command (later IV Air Support Command), 7 September 1942 (attached to II Ground Air Support Command (later II Air Support Command) until 23 September 1942)
Air Support Department, AAF School of Applied Tactics (later, Tactical Air Force, AAF Tactical Center), 18 February 1943 (attached to
432nd Observation Group (later 432 Reconnaissance Group 432 Tactical Reconnaissance Group), 27 Mar – 1 November 1943)
Tactical Air Division, AAF Tactical Center, 4 January 1944