| 99th Reconnaissance Squadron | |
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99th Reconnaissance Squadron Patch |
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| Active | August 21, 1917 – June 9, 1919 July 2, 1919 – July 31, 1927 November 9, 1928 – October 20, 1948 May 1, 1949 – April 1, 1971 November 1, 1972 – 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 | Beale Air Force Base |
| Decorations | DUC PUC AFOUA w/ V Device RVGC w/ Palm |
The 99th Reconnaissance Squadron (99 RS) is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. It operates U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft flying reconnaissance missions around the world.
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The 99 RS is responsible for providing critical intelligence for use by the National Command Authority.[1]
Following activation in 1917, the 99th rapidly moved to France to perform corps observation duties with the French 8th Army and the American V Army Corps.[1] The 99th served as a school squadron with V Army Corps Infantry Liaison School from, July–September 1918, during which time one flight of unit, operating in Vosges region of Alsace and Lorraine where it participated in combat with French XXXIII Corps and American 5th Division from, July–August 1918.[2]
Activated as the 99th Observation Squadron on November 9, 1928 at Mitchel Field, New York.[3] In 1940, the squadron moved to the Panama Canal Zone to fly antisubmarine patrols.[3] From December 3, 1941 the squadron operated from Zandrey Field, Surinam.[3] The squadron, less its personnel and equipment, moved to Florida in 1942.[3] It then trained cadres for bombardment units. In 1944, the 99th flew combat missions in the Western Pacific and carried food and medicine to POW camps.[1]
Redesignated a reconnaissance squadron in 1949, and based in California, the 99th flew B/RB-17s and, later, B/RB-29s. The 99th was redesignated a bombardment squadron in 1950, moved to Idaho in 1953, and received B-47s in 1954 making several deployments to England and Guam. In 1966, the 99th again became a reconnaissance squadron and moved to California conducting testing of SR-71 aircraft through 1967. The 99th flew global strategic reconnaissance until 1971 when the squadron inactivated.[1]
In November 1972, the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron activated at U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand where it flew reconnaissance missions over Southeast Asia.[2] The squadron relocated at Beale Air Force Base in 1976 and began flying U-2 missions. Operational missions include extensive reconnaissance efforts during Operations Urgent Fury, Just Cause, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm as well as humanitarian efforts covering wildfire and earthquake damage in California and Midwestern United States floods. 99 RS personnel are currently temporarily assigned to four overseas detachments.[1]
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