31st Test and Evaluation Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron


caption= 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron patch
dates=
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type=
role=
size=
command_structure= 53d Test and Evaluation Group, 53d Wing, Air Combat Command
current_commander=
garrison= Edwards AFB, CA
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders= Carl Spaatz
anniversaries=
decorations=

Lineage

* Organized 26 June 1917 as the 31st Aero Squadron of the Army Signal Corps.
* Deactivated 24 March 1923.
* Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron.
* Reactivated 1 April 1931.
* Redesignated 31st Reconnaissance Squadron in October 1947.
* Redesignated 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) in 1955.
* Deactivated February 1963.
* Reactivated 1 July 1966.
* Deactivated ?
* Redesignated 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron.
* Reactivated 1 July 1986.

COMMANDERS OF THE 31ST31st Aero Squadron Commanders (26 June 1917 to 14 April 1919):
*1. Lt John E. Rossell, 26 June 1917 to 13 July 1917
*2. Capt Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, 13 July 1917 to 15 November 1917
*3. Lt Eduard Buford Jr., 16 November 1917 to 23 December 1917
*4. Lt Hoddick, 23 December 1917 to 30 December 1917
*5. Lt Lee, 31 December 1917 to 10 January 1918
*6. Lt Van Exdorf, 10 January 1918 to unknown
*7. Lt Gouverneur Hoes
*8. Capt Robert “Bob” Walsh
*9. Lt Oliver
*10. Lt Ferguson
*11. Lt Willard
*12. Lt Andrews, 6 December 1918 to 2 Jan 1919
*13. Lt Roy Robinson, 2 January 1919 to 14 April 1919

31st Bombardment Squadron Commanders (1 April 1931 to 10 March 1947):
*14. Capt Earl C. Harper, 1 April 1931 to 4 December 1931
*15. Capt H.W. Beatson, 4 December 1931 to 24 June 1932
*16. Lt Ralph A. Snavely, 24 June 1932 to 6 January 1934
*17. Maj Harold D. Smith 6 January 1934 to 17 March 1936
*18. Maj James E. Taylor, 17 March 1936 to 11 January 1939
*19. Capt Walter R. Agee, 11 January 1939 to 6 March 1940
*20. Capt McCaffery 6 March 1940 to 4 March 1941
*21. Capt. Russell L. Waldron , 4 March 1941 to 23 Dec 1941
*22. Lt Col Rhudy, 23 Dec 1941 to 1 February 1942
*23. Maj Carmichael, 1 February 1942 to 10 February 1942
*24. Capt Blakey, 10 February 1942 to 24 March 1942
*25. Maj Rutledge, 24 March 1942 to 21 June 1942
*26. Maj George Glober, 21 June 1942 to 20 Mar 1943
*27. Maj Francis T. Brady, 30 March 1943 to 17 June 1943
*28. Maj Morris W. Slack, 17 June 1943 to 6 August 1943
*29. Lt Col Joseph Reddock, 6 August 1943 to 14 September 1943
*30. Maj John F. Britton, 14 Sep 1943 to 10 December 1943
*31. Maj Francis E. Riggs, 10 December 1943 to 31 December 1943
*32. John Henry Kissner, 31 December 1943 to 28 May 1944
*33. Capt William (Bill) Fallin, 28 May 1944 to 28 July 1944
*34. Capt George T. Davis, 28 July 1944 to 5 January 1945
*35. Maj Everett (Cappy) Rowe , 5 January 1945 to 26 April 1945
*36. Capt Everett (Beach) Thurlow, 26 April 1945 to 10 March 1947

31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron Commanders (20 Oct 1947 to 1 October 1955):
*37. Lt Col William L. Gray, 20 October 1947 to unknown
*38. Lt Col August Franklin Taute, unknown to 7 May 1949
*39. Maj Roger L. Howard, 7 May 1949 to 21 September 1949
*40. Maj Ernest Elston, 21 September 1949 to 6 October 1949
*41. Lt Col Edward D. Edwards, 6 October 1949 to 16 November 1950
*42. Lt Col Robert B. Hurley, 16 November 1950 to 31 May 1952
*43. Lt Col George H Johnston, 31 May 1952 to January 1955
*44. Lt Col Maddox, January 1955 to 1 October 1955 31st Bombardment Squadron Commanders (1 October 1955 to 1 February 1963):
*44. Lt Col Maddox, 1 October 1955 to 1 January 1958
*45. Lt Col Earl L. Hehn, 1 January 1958 to 1 July 1960
*46. Lt Col Fred S. Hodges, 1 July 1960 to 1 February 1963 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron Commanders (1 July 1986 to Present):
*47. Lt Col Robert F. Behler, July 1986 to May 1988
*48. Lt Col Thomas E. Hughston, May 1988 to June 1990
*49. Lt Col William F. Percival, June 1990 to May 1992
*50. Lt Col Curtis M. Bedke, May 1992 to June 1993
*51. Lt Col James A. Neumeister, June 1993 to August 1994
*52. Lt Col John O. Dunstan, August 1994 to November 1996
*53. Lt Col Robert H. Zielinski, November 1996 to July 1998
*54. Maj Michael S. Menser, July 1998 to September 1998
*55. Lt Col John Hannen Jr., September 1998 to June 2000
*56. Lt Col Donald S. Watrous, June 2000 to July 2002
*57. Lt Col Shugato Scott Davis, July 2002 to March 2004
*58. Lt Col David G. Rose, March 2004 to September 2005
*59. Lt Col Kyle W. Robinson, September 2005 to July 2007

Mission

History

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron was initially organized as the 31st Aero Squadron of the Army Signal Corps on 26 June 1917. The Squadron served in France during World War I, and was deactivated on 24 March 1923. Redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron, the unit remained inactive until 1 April 1931.

On 1 February 1938, the 31st relocated to Hickam Field, Hawaii. During the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, all of the squadron's planes were either damaged or destroyed. Reequipped with B-17s, the squadron was assigned various maritime bombing and surveillance missions in the South Pacific. After World War II, the squadron was redesignated the 31st Reconnaissance Squadron, and was assigned to the Far Eastern Air Force.

The squadron was assigned to the 5th Strategic Recon Wing in 1950, operating out of Travis Air Force Base, California. It was redesignated the 31st Bombardment Squadron in 1955 after converting entirely to B-36s. The squadron relocated to Beale Air Force Base in 1960, and remained there until its deactivation in 1963.

Previous designations

* 31st Aero Squadron (1917 - 1923)
* 31st Bombardment Squadron (1931 - 1947)
* 31st Reconnaissance Squadron (1947 - 1955)
* 31st Bombardment Squadron (H) (1955 - 1986)
* 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (1986 - present)

Bases stationed

* Kelly Field, Texas (1917 - 1923)
* March Field, California (1931 - 1938)
* Hickam Field, Hawaii (1938 - ?)
* Travis AFB, California (1950 - 1960)
* Beale AFB, California (1960 - 1963)
* Edwards AFB, California (1966 - present)

Aircraft operated

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

* 1 June 2002 - 31 May 2004
* 1 June 1998 - 31 May 2000
* 1 June 1994 - 31 May 1996
* 30 May 1992 - 29 May 1994
* 1 July 1990 - 29 May 1992
* 1 July 1985 - 30 June 1987 [ [http://wwa.afpc.randolph.af.mil/AwardsNet/SearchUnitAwards.aspx?Mode=Graphics Air Force Personnel Center Unit Awards] ]

BATTLE STREAMERS AWARDED

*WWI Service Streamer WWII Asiatic Pacific Campaign Streamers
*PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 1941-1942
*CENTRAL PACIFIC 1941-1943
*GUADALCANAL 1942-1943
*NEW GUINEA 1943 - 1944
*NORTHERN SOLOMONS 1943 - 1944
*EASTERN MANDATES 1944
*BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO 1943 - 1944
*WESTERN PACIFIC 1944 - 1945
*LEYTE 1944 – 1945
*LUZON 1944 - 1945
*SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES 1945
*CHINA OFFENSIVE 1945

WWII Award Streamers

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION:
*SOUTH PACIFIC, 1-9 Dec 1942

DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATIONS:
*WOLEAI ISLAND, 18 Apr-15 May 1944,
*BORNEO, 30 Sep 1944
*PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION

Korean War Streamers
*UN DEFENSIVE 1950
*UN OFFENSIVE 1950
*CCF INTERVENTION 1950-1951
*REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION: July 27 - November 15, 1950

References

* [http://usafengineers.com/modules.php?name=Units&file=details&id=78 USAF Engineers Page]