| 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron | |
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Emblem of the 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron |
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| Active | 1939–1958,1969-1971 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
The 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. It was inactivated on 18 February 1971
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Activated under Caribbean Air Force in 1940 initially with obsolete P-26s, later equipped with P-40 Warhawks for the defense of the Panama Canal. Remained under Sixth Air Force in the Panama Canal Zone, primarily engaged in antisubmarine patrols.
Returned to the United States in April 1944, initially being a single-engine fighter Replacement Training Unit for Second Air Force in Nebraska. Reassigned to Muroc Army Airfield, California, becoming a testing unit for the Bell P-59 Airacomet and P-80 Shooting Star Jet Aircraft under the Fourth Air Force 412th Fighter Group where they served in the training role. The squadron provided USAAF pilots and ground crews with valuable data about the difficulties and pitfalls involved in converting to jet aircraft. This information proved quite useful when more advanced jet fighters finally became available in quantity. Inactivated in July 1946.
Reactivated by Air Defense Command in early 1953. Equipped with F-86D Sabre interceptors, engaged in air defense of the Pacific Northwest at Larson AFB, Washington. Reassigned to Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan where the squadron was re-equipped with F-102 Delta Daggers, then deployed to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska Territory performing intercepts of intruding aircraft as part of Alaskan Air Command, arriving in Alaska on 16 September 1957. Inactivated due to budget restraints, October 1958, aircraft reassigned to the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.
Reactivated by Tactical Air Command at Shaw AFB, SC in 1969 as an RF-4C Phantom II training squadron for aerial reconnaissance pilots. Inactivated in 1971 due to budget reductions, aircraft assigned to 33d Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron.
Note: "Project Arrow" was an Air Defense imitative in 1955 to reactivate and re-designate notable World War II units.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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