46th Reconnaissance Squadron
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The 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is an active Central Command unit of the United States Air Force.
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46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1943–1945; 1945–1947; 2003-2011; c. 2013–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Reconnaissance |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Garrison/HQ | Balad Air Base |
Engagements | European Theater of Operations Mediterranean Theater of Operations |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation[1]Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
Insignia | |
46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Sq emblem | |
719th Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)[3] | |
Patch with unofficial 46th/72d Reconnaissance Squadron emblem | |
Aircraft flown | |
Reconnaissance | MQ-1, MQ-9 |
The squadron was first activated as the 719th Bombardment Squadron in May 1943. After training in the United States, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The squadron was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions during the war. Following V-E Day, the 716th returned to the United States and was inactivated in June 1945.
The squadron was activated again in September and trained with Boeing B-29 Superfortresses. It was redesignated the 46th Reconnaissance Squadron two months later, becoming one of the first long range reconnaissance units in Strategic Air Command (SAC). In August 1946, the squadron deployed to Ladd Field, Alaska Territory, where it conducted long range aerial reconnaissance over the Arctic. The 46th squadron flew "Project Nanook" to assess the Soviet threat in the Arctic at the beginning of the Cold War. The unit developed the grid system of Navigation which made Arctic navigation routine. The squadron's F-13, serial 45-21848 was the first aircraft to fly over the North Pole on 16 October 1946. It was inactivated on 13 October 1947 and transferred its assets to the 72d Reconnaissance Squadron.
The squadron was converted to provisional status and reformed in 2004 and deployed to Iraq and, later, to Afghanistan.