12th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron is a United States Air Force squadron, assigned to the 319th Operations Group at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and operates from Beale Air Force Base, California.
| 12th Reconnaissance Squadron | |
|---|---|
12th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4 Global Hawk | |
| Active | 2 June 1917 – 31 March 1946 29 July 1946 – 28 March 1949 25 February 1951 – 8 March 1960 3 November 1965 – 30 September 1992 8 November 2001 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Aerial reconnaissance |
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Beale Air Force Base, California |
| Motto(s) | Know Your Enemy |
| Engagements |
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| Decorations |
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| Battle honours |
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| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lewis H. Brereton Robert Merrill Lee |
| Insignia | |
| 12th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 2 February 1924) | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Reconnaissance | RQ-4 Global Hawk |
The squadron traces its lineage to the United States Army Air Service 12th Aero Squadron, activated on 2 June 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. It earned seven Campaign Streamers in World War I flying the French Salmson 2A2 aircraft as a Corps Observation squadron. The squadron again flew tactical reconnaissance missions in France and Northern Europe during World War II as part of Ninth Air Force. As a United States Air Force squadron, it flew reconnaissance missions in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism.
Aircrews of the 12th have flown over 40 different aircraft since its beginnings in 1917, fought in more than 25 major campaigns, operated from over 60 stations, and received more than 20 unit citations. Today, it continues its history of reconnaissance, now equipped with the RQ-4 Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).