| 11th Reconnaissance Squadron | |
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11th Reconnaissance Squadron Emblem |
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| Active | February 5, 1942- |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Aerial reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | Creech Air Force Base |
| Engagements | World War II |
The US Air Force 11th Reconnaissance Squadron (11 RS) flies MQ-1 Predator UAV's and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 11th oversees the training of pilots and sensor operators assigned to the MQ-1.
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The 11th Reconnaissance Squadron is the U.S. Air Force's first and premiere MQ-1B Predator formal training unit that conducts 5 basic and advanced training courses: Initial Qualification (IQT), Instructor Upgrade Training (IUT), Foreign Officer Course (FOC), Senior Officer Course (SOC), and Launch & Recovery Course (LR).
Activated in early 1942, initially operated in the southeastern United States under Third Air Force flying antisubmarine patrols along the Gulf Coast after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Reassigned to Fourth Air Force in Southern California during early 1942, flying reconnaissance, mapping, artillery adjustment, bombing, dive-bombing, and strafing missions to support Army ground units in training at the Desert Training Center or on maneuvers; trained personnel in aerial reconnaissance, medium bombardment, and fighter techniques.
With the closure of the DTC in late 1943, returned to Third Air Force becoming a reconnaissance training unit for Army forces at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After the war assigned to Shaw Field, South Carolina, but was not equipped or manned – unit inactivated March 1946
Reactivated at Langley Field, Virginia in 1947 and equipped with RB-26's and RF-80's as a photo-reconnaissance squadron. Reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and moved to March AFB, California. Budget constraints, though, resulted in the unit's inactivation in March 1949.
Operated as part of Far East Air Forces after the Korean War, engaging in photographic and weather reconnaissance missions over South Korea as well as the Japanese Home Islands and the adjacent waters along the Korean peninsula and Chinese/Soviet Pacific coasts, 1953-1960.
Activated as an RF-4C Phantom II reconnaissance squadron in 1966 under Tactical Air Command. Deployed to Thailand shortly after formation flying tactical reconnaissance missions over Vietnam and selected locations in Laos and Cambodia. The squadron provided much of the aerial photographic intelligence obtained during the Vietnam War. In the fall of 1970 the wing was phased down as part of the overall American withdrawal from the Vietnam War, returned to Shaw AFB, SC where the unit was inactivated in early 1971.
Reactivated at Davis-Monthan AFB later in 1971 as an AQM-34 Firebee unmanned tactical reconnaissance drone squadron. Performed photographic reconnaissance to support tactical air and surface forces with tactical drones manufactured by Ryan Aeronautical. Used AQM-34L/M/V drones, DC-130 launch vehicles, and CH-3 recovery helicopters. The group conducted follow-on testing and evaluation of the AQM-34V model drone and the initial operational testing and evaluation and developmental testing and evaluation of the DC-130H "mother ship."
Inactivated in 1979 due to budget restrictions; drone operations moved to Eglin AFB. Florida.
Provided real-time intelligence support to 11 Support Wing, 1992-1994. In 1996, became the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) squadron in the USAF. Provided deployable, long-endurance, aerial reconnaissance and surveillance while flying the Predator UAV, 1996-2002. Conducted flying training, 2003-.
Reactivated on July 29, 1995, at Nellis Air Force Base under command of the 57th Operations Group, 57th Wing.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.