414th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron

414th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron
A squadron MQ-1B Predator on the flight line at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.
Active	1942–1945; 2011–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	United States Air Forces in Europe
Nickname(s)	All American
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Insignia
414th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron emblem[a][1]
414th Bombardment Squadron emblem[b]

The 414th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit. It operates the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, last known assigned to the 39th Expeditionary Operations Group, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The 39th Expeditionary Operations Group was part of the 39th Air Expeditionary Wing (manned by the 39th Air Base Wing). It controls the launch and landing of the Predator air vehicles.

The squadron was activated as the 24th Reconnaissance Squadron in February 1942. Shortly thereafter, it was redesignated as the 414th Bombardment Squadron. After brief training in the United States with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft, it was one of the first heavy bomber squadrons to deploy to the European Theater of Operations. At the end of the year, following Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany from the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions. Following V-E Day, it was inactivated in Italy.

The squadron was converted to provisional status under its current designation in 2011.

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