99th Reconnaissance Squadron

99th Reconnaissance Squadron
U-2 Dragon Lady 80-1089 from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron taxis to the runway for takeoff
Active21 Aug 1917 – 9 June 1919
2 July 1919 – 31 July 1927
9 Nov 1928 – 20 Oct 1948
1 May 1949 – 1 Apr 1971
1 Nov 1972 – present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleReconnaissance
SizeSquadron
Part of  Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQBeale Air Force Base, California
EquipmentLockheed U-2S Dragon Lady
Engagements

  • World War I

  • World War II - Antisubmarine

  • World War II - Asia-Pacific Theater

  • Vietnam War

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

  • Operation Urgent Fury
    Operation Just Cause

  • Iraq Campaign[1]
Decorations

  • Distinguished Unit Citation (2x)

  • Presidential Unit Citation

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device (2x)

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (16x)

  • Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Insignia
99th Reconnaissance Squadron Emblem (approved 4 March 1924)[1]
Squadron CodeBB

The 99th Reconnaissance Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 9th Operations Group, Air Combat Command, stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California. The squadron is equipped with the Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft.[1]

The 99th is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, first being organized as the 99th Aero Squadron on 21 August 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I as a Corps observation squadron.[2]

During World War II the unit served both in the Panama Canal Zone as an anti-submarine unit and in the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) as part of Twentieth Air Force as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber squadron. During the Cold War was part of Strategic Air Command equipped with Boeing B-47 Stratojet medium bombers, and later with the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft.[3]

Harvard Business School profiled the 99th and its innovation efforts in a 2019 case study.

  1. ^ a b c d Dollman, TSG David (13 October 2016). "Factsheet 99 Reconnaissance Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  2. ^ Gorrell, [page needed].
  3. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons [page needed].