| 32d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron | |
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32d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron |
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| Active | 1942-1976 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Reconnaissance |
| Engagements | World War II |
The 32d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (10th TRW), based at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom. It was deactivated on 1 January 1976.
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The squadron was established in mid-1943 as a tactical reconnaissance and photo-mapping squadron. Initial squadron training was under the Third Air Force, before it was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) and assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force in southern Italy in August 1945.
Equipped primarily with unarmed Lockheed F-5 Lightnings, the squadron flew hazardous long-range intelligence and photo-mapping missions over enemy-held Italy and Occupied Europe, to get pictures required for the aerial war against the Axis powers. Initially it flew most missions over enemy-occupied Italy, Corsica and Sardinia, later flying missions over the Balkans. After the German surrender in May 1945, the squadron's personnel were demobilized in Italy during the summer of 1945, and the squadron was deactivated as a paper unit in the United States during October.
In 1952 the squadron was reactivated as a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) tactical reconnaissance unit to be based in France as a result of the United States Cold War military buildup in Europe. It was activated as a redesignation of the Alabama Air National Guard (ANG) 157th TRS, which was federalized and brought to active duty during the Korean War. It took over the Lockheed RF-80A Shooting Star aircraft of the ANG unit, and trained for daylight reconnaissance missions. The squadron, however was stationed at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base in West Germany due to the uncompleted facilities at Toul-Rosières Air Base. Weather conditions in Germany severely restricted the training operations of the assigned RF-80As. The squadron frequently deployed to Nouasseur Air Base, Morocco during the winter of 1952-53 where the photo conditions were excellent.
The squadron moved to Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany in May 1953 where all of the elements of the parent 10th TRW were assembled at one base. It re-equipped with the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash in 1955, as the RF-80s were deemed not mission-capable against the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15.
In January 1958, the squadron was moved to Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base, France while the runway at Spangdahlem was under repair and renovation. In March 1958, the squadron was reassigned to the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which was moving to Phalsbourg from Sembach Air Base due to poor runway conditions. During May, the Thunderflashes were replaced by McDonnell RF-101C Voodoos, which was the fastest tactical reconnaissance aircraft ever flown by the USAF.
Routine training operations were flown from Laon for over seven years. In 1965 the squadron was again reassigned; to the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which was being formed at Toul-Rosières Air Base. On 7 March 1966, French President Charles De Gaulle announced that France would withdraw from NATO's military structure but not leave the political organization. He gave NATO forces one year (until 1 April 1967) to depart France.
As a result, the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was relocated to Ramstein Air Base, West Germany. As part of the move from Toul, the 32d was reassigned to England, where it rejoined the 10th TRW, now stationed at RAF Alconbury. It sent the RF-101s back to the United States, and at Alconbury received new McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II aircraft.
The 32d flew the RF-4C at Alconbury for the next ten years, before being deactivated in 1976. The advent of reconnaissance satellites made tactical reconnaissance less and less necessary by the mid 1970s. This, along with the need for budget reductions after the end of the Vietnam War caused a reduction in the numbers of frontline tactical reconnaissance aircraft. On 1 January 1976, the 32nd TRS was the first of two squadrons of the 10th TRW to be deactivated that year.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.