18th Reconnaissance Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 18th Reconnaissance Squadron


caption= 18th Reconnaissance Squadron Patch
dates= 1 March 1943 - 9 November 1945
31 August 1946 - 30 September 1979
3 April 2006 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Reconnaissance and Surveillance
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Combat Command
8th Air Force
9th Reconnaissance Wing
9th Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison= Beale Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
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nickname=
patron=
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The 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (18 RS) is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California.

Mission

History

The squadron engaged in air defense operations until November 1943. It then participated in combat operations in the European Theater of Operations from, 24 February 1944-5 May 1945. During the Korean War the 18th conducted replacement training. It engaged in tactical and evaluation exercises in the U.S., including visual and photographic reconnaissance, processing and evaluation of reconnaissance data from, 1954-1959. It carried out reconnaissance missions in support of the United States Air Forces in Europe and North Atlantic Treaty Organization missions from, June 1959-January 1970. From February 1970-September 1979 the 18th regularly participated in visual and photographic reconnaissance missions over the Continental United States. It provided training for U.S. and allied reconnaissance personnel. [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0018rs.asp AFHRA 18 RS Page] ]

=Operations=

*World War II

=Lineage=

*381st Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) (1943)
*381st Fighter Squadron, Single Engine (1943 - 1944)
*161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (1944 - 1946)
*161st Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo (Jet Propelled) (1946 - 1948)
*161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-Jet (1948 - 1950)
*18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-Jet (1950 - 1966)
*18th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (1966 - 2006)
*18th Reconnaissance Squadron (2006 - Present)

=Assignments=

*363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group (1943 - 1945)
**Attached: 10th Photographic Group (23 December 1944 - 3 January 1945)
*67th Reconnaissance Group (1945)
*363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group (1946 - 1949)
*14th Air Force (1949 - 1951)
**Attached: 20th Fighter Wing (20 September 1949 - 2 April 1951)
*363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group (1951 - 1958)
*432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (1958 - 1959)
*66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (1959 - 1970)
*363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (1970 - 1979)
*9th Reconnaissance Wing (2006 - Present)

=Bases stationed=

*Hamilton Field, California (1943)
*Santa Rosa Army Air Field, California (1943)
*Sacramento Municipal Airport, California (1943)
*RAF Keevil, England (1943 - 1944)
*RAF Rivenhall, England (1944)
*RAF Staplehurst, England (1944)
*Maupertus-sur-Mer, France (1944)
*Azeville, France (1944)
*Montrevil, France (1944)
*Sandwieler, Luxembourg (1944)
*Le Culot, Belgium (1944 - 1945)
**Operated From: Conflans, France (23 December 1944 - 4 January 1945)
*Venlo, Holland (1945)
*Gütersloh, Germany (1945)
*Braunschweig, Germany (1945)
*Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany (1945)
*Reims, France (1945)
*Drew Field, Florida (1945)
*Brooks Field, Texas (1946)
*Langley Air Force Base, Virginia (1946 - 1949)
*Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (1949 - 1959)
*Laon-Couvron Air Base, France (1959 - 1966)
*RAF Upper Heyford, England (1966 - 1970)
*Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina (1970 - 1979)
*Beale Air Force Base, California (2006 - Present)

=Aircraft Operated=

*P-39 Airacobra (1943)
*P-51 Mustang (1944 - 1945)
*F-6 Mustang (1944 - 1945, 1946 - 1947)
*FP-80 (1946 - 1955)
*T-33 Shooting Star (1950 - 1954)
*RF-84 Thunderflash (1954 - 1957)
*RF-101 Voodoo (1957 - 1970)
*RF-4 Phantom II (1970 - 1979)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0018rs.asp 18th Reconnaissance Squadron History]

ee also