History
The unit traces its history back to May 9, 1917, the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, redesignated the unit as the 15th Aero Squadron on Aug. 22, 1917. Flying historic aircraft like the Curtis "Jenny" JN-4 biplane, the squadron served as a flying training unit between 1917-1919. After a short stint on the inactive list and a series of organizational changes, the unit emerged as the 15th Observation Squadron on Jan. 25, 1923. This began a varied and unending string of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles for the unit that stretched over more than eight decades.
On March 20, 1938, the 15th Observation Squadron deployed from Scott Field, Illinois, to Eglin Field, Florida, for two weeks of gunnery training. Thirty-five officers and 108 enlisted men were involved.
The unit was reactivated on August 1, 1997, at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field under command of the 57th Operations Group, 57th Wing.
During the Vietnam era the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was based at Kadena Air Base, Japan, flying the RF-101. The unit had many deployments to Southeast Asia, flying reconnaissance missions in support of US combat operations in that theatre.
From July 2005 to June 2006, the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron participated in more than 242 separate raids; engaged 132 troops in contact-force protection actions; fired 59 Hellfire missiles; surveyed 18,490 targets; escorted four convoys; and flew 2,073 sorties for more than 33,833 flying hours.
Starting in 2005, the unit trained California Air National Guard's 163d Reconnaissance Wing members to operate the MQ-1.The 163d is being retasked as an MQ-1 unit.
Read more about this topic: 15th Reconnaissance Squadron
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