| 5th Reconnaissance Squadron | |
|---|---|
5th Reconnaissance Squadron Patch |
|
| Active | 5 May 1917 - 11 November 1918 24 October 1919 - 20 October 1948 1 May 1949 - 25 June 1966 1 July 1986 - 30 June 1990 1 October 1994 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Reconnaissance and Surveillance |
| Part of | Air Combat Command 8th Air Force 9th Reconnaissance Wing 9th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Osan Air Base |
| Nickname | Blackcats |
| Engagements | World War I World War II |
| Decorations | DUC AFOUA |
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron (5 RS) is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California but is geographically separated.
Contents |
The 5th Reconnaissance Squadron conducts operations from Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
The 5th was a flying training unit in 1917 and 1918. The squadron participated in Billy Mitchell's demonstrations of effectiveness of aerial bombardment on warships, June–September 1921. It flew antisubmarine patrols, and reconnaissance of the Vichy French fleet at Martinique from, December 1941-October 1942. The 5th went on to train cadres for bombardment units from, November 1942-February 1944 and flew combat missions in the Western Pacific from, 25 January-15 August 1945. It maintained alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 and conducted reconnaissance pilot training from, 1986-1990.[1]
On 1 October 1994, the 5 RS was reactivated as a subordinate unit to the 9th Operations Group, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, at Beale Air Force Base, California. It is tasked with a real-world reconnaissance mission reportable to the U.S. Forces Korea, United States Pacific Command, Air Combat Command, along with other national authorities through the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There are approximately 200 personnel assigned to the 5 RS.[2]
Since 1976, the unit has flown more than 7,000 operational sorties, utilizing an integrated suite of all-weather multi-spectral sensors. The unit has maintained a 98 percent mission effectiveness rating, despite challenging weather and a long logistics trail. Significant past events include the 1976 DMZ "tree cutting" incident in which two U.S. officers lost their lives. The unit provided continuous coverage of the area during the tense period that followed. Since 1976, surge operations have been conducted many times due to heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. In 1987, President Chun Doo-hwan visited the detachment to honor the unit for its outstanding contribution to the security of the country. In addition to its real world mission, the unit has flown humanitarian sorties to assess ROK environmental concerns, such as flood damage, and assist the Philippines in surveying the devastation caused by the Mount Pinatubo eruption.[2]
In 1995 the 5th RS was the first unit to have the new U-2S model aircraft fully operational and on 20 October 1995, Lieutenant Colonel Charles P. Wilson II flew the first ever U-2S operational mission. Additionally, in 1995 the U-2 flew the 2000th Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System mission. The squadron was the recipient of the 1995 Lockheed Advanced Development Corporation Hughes Trophy, distinguishing the unit as Best Reconnaissance Squadron in the 9th Reconnaissance Wing and was also nominated for the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.[2]
The 5th Squadron was initially stationed at Río Hato, Panama, and was moved to Beane Field, St. Lucia, on September 28, 1941, remaining there until the 9th Bombardment Group, less personnel and equipment, was transferred to Orlando, FL, on September 29, 1942. The personnel left in Trinidad by the 9th Bombardment Group were absorbed by the 25th Bombardment Group.[3]
Note: There is no relationship to the 5th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Photographic) which was inactivated on 20 October 1947
|
|
|
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||