This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
9th Reconnaissance Wing | |
---|---|
Active | 1949–present 1950–1965 as 9th Bomb Wing |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Wing |
Role | Reconnaissance |
Size | 6,500 personnel |
Part of | Air Combat Command and Sixteenth Air Force |
Garrison/HQ | Beale Air Force Base |
Motto(s) | "Semper Paratus" Latin Always Ready |
Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Colonel Geoffrey I. Church[1] |
The 9th Reconnaissance Wing (9 RW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command and Sixteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California. The wing is also the host unit at Beale.
Its mission is to organize, train and equip the Air Force's fleet of U-2R Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft for peacetime intelligence gathering, contingency operations, conventional war fighting and Emergency War Order support. It is also assigned T-38 Talons for U-2 pilots to maintain flight hours.
Its 9th Operations Group is a descendant organization of the 9th Group (Observation), one of the 13 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II.
During World War II, the 9th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) was an air combat unit of the United States Army Air Forces. Active for over 60 years, the 9th RW was a component wing of Strategic Air Command's deterrent force throughout the Cold War, performing strategic reconnaissance on a worldwide basis.