|
|
Library > Fact Sheets > 12th Reconnaissance Squadron
12TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON
Posted 7/31/2015
Printable Fact Sheet
MISSION
The 12 RS plans and executes worldwide high-altitude combat surveillance and reconnaissance missions including peacetime intelligence gathering, contingency operations and conventional warfare. Operating the RQ-4B Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), the 12 RS provides signals intelligence and near real-time imagery intelligence to fulfill operational requirements generated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in support of the Secretary of Defense and unified commanders.
ORGANIZATION
Nearly 200 active duty and civilian members are assigned to the 12 RS. The unit consists of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilots, Sensor Operators and support personnel. The unit falls under the 69th Reconnaissance Group, and is located at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.
HISTORY
The 12th Aero Squadron was organized on 2 Jun 1917. It was redesignated the 12th Squadron on 14 Mar 1921; 12th Squadron (Observation) on 14 Mar 1921; 12th Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923; 12th Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942; 12th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942; 12th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 31 May 1943; 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 Nov 1943. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946. Redesignated 12th Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic (Jet Propelled) on 9 Jul 1946. Activated on 29 Jul 1946. Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet, on 14 Jun 1948. Inactivated on 28 Mar 1949. Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic, on 5 Feb 1951. Activated on 25 Feb 1951. Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic-Jet on 23 Feb 1959. Discontinued on 8 Mar 1960. Redesignated 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Jet, and activated, on 3 Nov 1965. Organized on 1 Jul 1966. Redesignated 12thTactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 Oct 1966; 12th Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 Nov 1991. Inactivated on 30 Sep 1992. Activated on 8 Nov 2001.
The unit carries the following honors:
Campaign Streamers:
WW I: Lorraine; Ile-de-France; Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; Champagne; St. Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne.
WW II: Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Air Combat, EAME Theater
Korea: First UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea, Summer 1953
SEA: Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase 11; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI
SWA: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
Decorations:
Distinguished Unit Citations: LeHavre and Straits of Dover, [23-25] Feb 1944; Korea, 25 Feb-21 Apr 1951; Korea, 9 Jul-27 Nov 1951; Korea, 1 May-27 Jul 1953
Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): [9 Sep] 1966-30 Jun 1967; 1 Sep 1967-10 Jul 1968; 11 Jul 1968-31 Aug 1969; 1 Feb-31 Mar 1971
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 1 Jul 1966-30 Jun 1967; 1 Jul 1967-30 Jun 1968; 1 Jul 1969-30 Jun 1970; 1 Jul 1970-30 Jun 1971
Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-[c. 11 Aug] 1944
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [25] Feb 1951-31 Mar 1953
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 6 Sep 1966-18 Aug 1971
Meritorious Unit Award: 1 Jun 2007-31 May 2009
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award:
1 Dec, 1952 to 30 Apr, 1953
1 Aug to 2 Sep, 1966
1 Sep, 1971 to 15 May, 1973
16 May, 1974 to 15 May, 1976
16 Dec, 1976 to 1 Dec, 1978
1 Jun, 1982 to 31 May, 1983
1 Jun, 1983 to 31 May, 1984
1 Jan, 1985 to 1 Feb, 1986
1 Jan, 1990 to 1 May, 1991
1 Jun, 2002 to 31 May, 2004
1 Jun, 2005 to 31 May, 2007
1 Jun, 2007 to 31 May, 2009
| |
|
|
|
|
