322d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron

322d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron

KC-135A refuels B-52D during Vietnam War
Active 1942-1945; 1950-1957; 1963-1968
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Bombardment
Part of Air Combat Command
Engagements European Theater of Operations
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
322d Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 12 October 1942)[1]

The 322d Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed.

The squadron was first activated in 1942 as the 322d Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States, the squadron entered combat in the European Theater of Operations, where it was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States, whee it was inactivated.

The squadron was redesignated the 322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and activated at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana in 1950. Squadron elements deployed and again saw combat during the Korean War. It was inactivated at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio in 1957. In 1963, it returned to the bombardment role at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. It deployed crews and aircraft to Andersen Air Force Base, which participated in the Vietnam War. The squadron was inactivated on 25 June 1968 as Glasgow closed and older models of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress were withdrawn from service.

History

World War II

Squadron at RAF Bassingborn about early 1944.

The squadron was first activated in April 1942 at Harding Field, Louisiana as the 322d Bombardment Squadron, one of the original squadrons of the 91st Bombardment Group and equipped with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses.[1][2] The squadron was organized as part of Third Air Force in the southeastern United States before moving to Walla Walla Army Air Base, Washington for final training under Second Air Force.

The squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where it became part of VIII Bomber Command. It was one of the first heavy bombardment squadrons to arrive in England. The 322d flew combat missions over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe until the surrender of Germany in May 1945. The squadron returned to the United States where it was programmed to become a Boeing B-29 Superfortress squadron. The surrender of Japan canceled these plans and it was inactivated during November 1945.[1]

Strategic reconnaissance

Squadron RB-45C refueling from a KB-29P
Boeing RB-47E Stratojet

The squadron was redesignated the 322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and activated at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana in July 1950 as a result of the Korean War. The squadron was initially equipped with RB-29 reconnaissance bombers, but soon converted to the North American RB-45 Tornado jet reconnaissance aircraft. Elements of the squadron flew reconnaissance and mapping combat missions over Korea until mid-1952. The squadron deployed to Johnson Air Base and Yokota Air Base, Japan from activation until 28 May 1952. In September 1951 the squadron moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, where it re-equipped with Boeing RB-47E Stratojets. The squadron performed various worldwide reconnaissance missions until inactivating in November 1957.[1]

Strategic bombardment

Once again designated as a bombardment squadron, the 322d was activated in February 1963 at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana,[1] where it assumed the mission, personnel and Boeing B-52D Stratofortress bombers of the 326th Bombardment Squadron.[3] Most of the squadron deployed to the Western Pacific, where the flew Operation Arc Light combat missions over Southeast Asia, flying missions from Andersen Air Force Base between 11 September 1966 and 31 March 1967 and from Kadena Air Base between 15 February and 30 April 1968, operating as part of the Bombardment Wing, Provisional, 4133d. Upon returning from its last deployment the squadron became non-operational and was inactivated on 25 June 1968[1] as Glasgow closed.

Lineage

Activated on 15 April 1942
Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Activated on 6 July 1950
Inactivated on 8 November 1957
Organized on 1 February 1963
Inactivated on 25 June 1968

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Robertson, Patsy (July 30, 2012). "Factsheet 322 Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  2. ↑ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 156-158
  3. ↑ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 401-402
  4. 1 2 Station number in Anderson

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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