90th Air Division

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90th Air Division, Reconnaissance
Active	22 November 1943–23 October 1945; 20 December 1946–27 June 1949.
Country	United States
Branch	Air Force
Decorations

Contents 1 Operations 2 Lineage and honors 2.1 Campaign streamers 3 Assignments 4 Components 5 Stations 6 Aerospace vehicles 7 Commanders 8 External links

[edit] Operations

The 90th's subordinate units reconnoitered airdromes, roads, marshalling yards, and harbors in Italy after the Allied landings at Salerno in September 1943. They also flew missions to Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the Balkans. In addition, these units flew some photographic missions at night using specially equipped B-17 and B-25 aircraft. In January 1944, they covered the Anzio area and continued to support the Fifth Army in its drive through Italy by determining troop movements, gun positions, and terrain. The 90th's units last flew reconnaissance missions in connection with the invasion of southern France in August 1944. After transfer of its tactical groups on 1 October 1944, the wing aided in establishing a photo library for use in the European and Mediterranean theaters of operation. Activated in the Reserves at Niagara Falls, New York, from December 1946 to June 1949; in April 1948 it was redesignated as a division.

[edit] Lineage and honors

Established as 90 Photographic Wing, Reconnaissance on 11 October 1943. Activated on 22 November 1943. Redesignated 90 Reconnaissance Wing on 23 June 1945. Inactivated on 23 October 1945.

Activated in the Reserve on 20 December 1946. Redesignated 90 Air Division, Reconnaissance on 16 April 1948. Inactivated on 27 June 1949.

[edit] Campaign streamers

This unit earned the following organizational campaign streamers:

• World War II European African Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater: Naples Foggia (Air); Rome-Arno.

[edit] Assignments

Twelfth Air Force, 22 November 1943; United States Army Air Forces, 10 April 1945–23 October 1945 (attached to 311 Photographic Wing, Mapping and Charting, 23 April 1945–1 June 1945).

First Air Force, 20 December 1946–27 June 1949.

[edit] Components

Groups:

• 3 Photographic, Reconnaissance: c.15 August 1943–1 October 1944.
• 5 Photographic, Reconnaissance: 22 November 1943–1 October 1944.
• 26 Reconnaissance: 23 October 1947–27 June 1949.
• 65 Reconnaissance: 17 October 1947–27 June 1949.

Squadrons:

• 32 Photographic Reconnaissance: 20 April 1944–15 November 1944.

[edit] Stations

La Marsa, Tunisia, 22 November 1943; San Severo, Italy, 14 December 1943–c.4 April 1945; Buckley Field, Colorado, c.23 April 1945–23 October 1945.

Niagara Falls Municipal Airport, New York, 20 December 1946–27 June 1949.

[edit] Aerospace vehicles

F-4 Lightning (photo-recon), 1943–1944; F-5 Lightning (photo-recon), 1943–1944; B-17 Flying Fortress, 1944; B-25 Mitchell, 1944; F-8 Mosquito (photo-recon), 1944.

[edit] Commanders

Colonel Elliot Roosevelt, 22 November 1943; Colonel Karl L. Polifka, 25 January 1944; Major George Newton, 8 January 1945; Colonel George G. Northrup, 30 January 1945; Lieutenant Colonel Karl T. Rauk, 21 July 1945; Colonel Karl L. Polifka, 23 July 1945; Lieutenant Colonel James D. Berry, 26 July 1945; Colonel Karl L. Polifka, 8 September 1945; Major Clair E. Cheney, c. 1 October 1945–23 October 1945.

Unknown, 20 December 1946–27 June 1949.

[edit] External links

• Air Force Historical Research Agency: 90th Air Division, Reconnaissance

This article incorporates text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website which, as a United States government publication, is in the public domain.