31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (United States)

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31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
31st Test and Evaluation Squadron patch
Active
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Part of	53d Test and Evaluation Group, 53d Wing, Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Edwards AFB, CA
Decorations
Commanders
Notable commanders	Carl Spaatz

1 Lineage
2 Mission
3 History
4 Previous designations
5 Bases stationed
6 Aircraft operated
7 Decorations
- 7.1 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
8 References

[edit] Lineage

Organized 26 June 1917 as the 31st Aero Squadron of the Army Signal Corps.
Deactivated 24 March 1923.
Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron.
Reactivated 1 April 1931.
Redesignated 31st Reconnaissance Squadron in October 1947.
Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) in 1955.
Deactivated February 1963.
Reactivated 1 July 1966.
Deactivated ?
Redesignated 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron.
Reactivated 1 July 1986.

[edit] Mission

[edit] History

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron was initially organized as the 31st Aero Squadron of the Army Signal Corps on 26 June 1917. The Squadron served in France during World War I, and was deactivated on 24 March 1923. Redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron, the unit remained inactive until 1 April 1931.

On 1 February 1938, the 31st relocated to Hickam Field, Hawaii. During the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, all of the squadron's planes were either damaged or destroyed. Reequipped with B-17s, the squadron was assigned various maritime bombing and surveillance missions in the South Pacific. After World War II, the squadron was redesignated the 31st Reconnaissance Squadron, and was assigned to the Far Eastern Air Force.

The squadron was assigned to the 5th Strategic Recon Wing in 1950, operating out of Travis Air Force Base, California. It was redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron in 1955 after converting entirely to B-36s. The squadron relocated to Beale Air Force Base in 1960, and remained there until its deactivation in 1963.