15th Reconnaissance Squadron (United States)
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15th Reconnaissance Squadron (15 RS) flies MQ-1 Predator UAV's and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 15th conducts real time surveillance.
[edit] History
The unit traces its history back to May 9, 1917 and was reactivated on August 1, 1997, at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field under command of the 57th Operations Group, 57th Wing.
During the Vietnam era the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was based at Kadena Air Base, Japan, flying the RF-101. The unit had many deployments to Southeast Asia, flying reconnaissance missions in support of US combat operations in that theatre.
From July 2005 to June 2006, the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron participated in more than 242 separate raids; engaged 132 troops in contact-force protection actions; fired 59 Hellfire missiles; surveyed 18,490 targets; escorted four convoys; and flew 2,073 sorties for more than 33,833 flying hours.[1]
Starting in 2005, the unit trained California Air National Guard's 163d Reconnaissance Wing members to operate the MQ-1.The 163d is being retasked as an MQ-1 unit.
