12th Reconnaissance Squadron

12th Reconnaissance Squadron
12th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4 Global Hawk
Active2 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
RoleAerial reconnaissance
SizeSquadron
Part of Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQBeale Air Force Base, California
Motto(s)Know Your Enemy
Engagements

  • World War I

  • Occupation of the Rhineland

  • World War II – EAME Theater

  • Korean Service Medal

  • Vietnam War

  • 1991 Gulf War (Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation of Kuwait)

  • Afghanistan Campaign

  • Iraq Campaign
Decorations

  • Distinguished Unit Citation

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

  • Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Battle honours
  • Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-[c. 11 Aug] 1944
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Lewis H. Brereton
Robert Merrill Lee
Insignia
12th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 2 February 1924)[1][note 1]
Aircraft flown
ReconnaissanceRQ-4 Global Hawk

The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron was 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.

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. Before its most recent deactivation it was equipped with the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

  1. ^ Bailey, Carl E. (10 April 2017). "Factsheet 12 Reconnaissance Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 25 July 2017.


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