Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 4.0 inch-100mm
44th RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON
Lineage. Organized as 44th Aero Squadron on 30 Jun 1917. Redesignated: Squadron K, Wilbur Wright Field, Ohio, in Oct 1918; Squadron P, Wilbur Wright Field, Ohio, in Nov 1918, Demobilized on 30 Apr 1919. Reconstituted and consolidated (1924) with 44th Squadron which was authorized on 10 Jun 1922. Organized on 26 Jun 1922. Redesignated 44th Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1927. Activated on 1 Apr 1931. Redesignated: 44th Reconnaissance Squadron on ii Sep 1937; 44th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium Range) on 6 Dec 1939; 44th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940; 430th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1942; 430th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 28 Mar 1944. Inactivated on 10 May 1944. Activated on 1 Jun 1944. Inactivated on 15 Apr 1946. Redesignated as 44 Reconnaissance Squadron on ? 2015.
Assignments. Unkn, 1917-1919. Eighth Corps Area, 26 Jun 1922 (attached to Field Artillery School, c. Aug 1922); Air Corps Training Center, Jun-31 Jul 1927. 6th Composite Group, 1 Apr 1931 (attached to 16th Pursuit Group, c. Dec 1932); 16th Pursuit Group, assigned on 1 Sep 1937, and attached on 1 Feb 1940; 9th Bombardment Group, attached on 20 Nov 1940, and assigned 25 Feb 1942- 10 May 1944. 502nd Bombardment Group, 1 Jun 1944-15 Apr 1946. 926th Group, ? 2015.
Stations. Camp Kelly, TX, 30 Jun 1917; Wilbur Wright Field, OH, 25 Aug 1917-30 Apr 1919. Post Field, OK, 26 Jun 1922; March Field, CA, 25 Jun-31 Jul 1927. France Field, CZ, 1 Apr 1931; Albrook Field, CZ, 13 May 1932; Howard Field, CZ, 8 Jul-27 Oct 1941; Atkinson Field, British Guiana, 4 Nov 1941; Orlando AB, FL, 31 Oct 1942; Brooksville AAFld, FL, 6 Jan 1944; Orlando AB, FL, 25 Feb 1944; Dalhart AAFld, TX, 6 Mar-10 May 1944. Davis-Monthan Field, AZ, 1 Jun ig44; Dalhart AAFld, TX, 5 Jun 1944; Grand Island AAFld, NE, 26 Sep 1944-7 Apr 1945; Northwest Field, Guam, 12 May 1945-15 Apr 1946. Nellis AFB, NV, ? 2015.
Aircraft. Apparently included SJ-1, JN-4, and possibly DH-4 during period 1917-1919. Included DH-4 and evidently 0-2 during period 1922-1927. In addition to O-19, 1932-1937, and B-10, 1936-1.939, included OA-4 during period 1931-1939; B-18, 1938-1942; B-17, 1943-1944; B-24, 1943-1944; B-25, 1943-1944; B-26, 1943-1944; C-73, 1943-1944; B-29, 1944-1946. RQ-170, 2015-.
Operations. Evidently flying training unit during period 1917-1919. Good-will flight to Guatemala, 7-12 Feb 1938. Antisubmarine patrols, and reconnaissance of Vichy French fleet at Martinique, Dec 1941-Oct 1942. Unmanned, Nov 1942-Mar 1943. Tested equipment, Apr 1943-Feb 1944. Combat in Western Pacific, c. 1 Aug-15 Aug 1945. Train pilots, sensor operators and other UAS crewmembers, and conduct combat surveillance and attack operations worldwide.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 5-15 Aug 1945.
Emblem. Approved 20 Jan 1925.