Lineage

Organized as 5th Aero Squadron on 5 May 1917. Redesignated Squadron A, Souther Field, GA, on 15 Jul 1918. Demobilized on 11 Nov 1918. Reconstituted, and consolidated (1924) with 5th Aero Squadron, which was organized on 24 Oct 1919. Redesignated: 5th Squadron (Observation) on 14 Mar 1921; 5th Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923; 5th Bombardment Squadron on 1 Mar 1935; 5th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 6 Dec 1939; 5th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940; 5th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, on 28 Mar 1944. Inactivated on 20 Oct 1948. Redesignated 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic, and activated, on 1 May 1949. Redesignated: 5th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 1 Apr 1950; 5th Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 2 Oct 1950. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Jun 1966. Redesignated 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Training Squadron on 12 Feb 1986. Activated on 1 Jul 1986. Inactivated on 30 Jun 1990. Redesignated 5th Reconnaissance Squadron on 21 Sep 1994. Activated on 1 Oct 1994.

Assignments

Unkn, 1917-1918. 3d Observation Group (attached to Eastern Department) 24 Oct 1919; Eastern Department, 24 Mar 1920; Second Corps Area, 20 Aug 1920 (attached to 1st Provisional Air Brigade for operations, 6 May-3 Oct 1921); 9th Observation Group, 1 Aug 1922; 1st Division, Air Service (later, 1st Division, Air Corps; 1st Division, Aviation), 30 Jun 1923 (attached to 9th Observation Group, 30 Jun 1923-15 Feb 1929); 9th Observation (later, 9th Bombardment) Group, 15 Feb 1929-20 Oct 1948. 9th Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 9th Bombardment) Group, 1 May 1949 (attached to 9th Bombardment Wing, 10 Feb 1951-15 Jun 1952); 9th Bombardment (later, 9th Strategic Aerospace) Wing, 16 Jun 1952-25 Jun 1966. 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Jul 1986-30 Jun 1990. 9th Operations Group, 1 Oct 1994-.

Stations

San Antonio, TX, 5 May 1917; Souther Field, GA, 1 May-11 Nov 1918. Hazelhurst Field, NY, 24 Oct 1919; Mitchel Field, NY, Nov 1919 (operated from Langley Field, VA, 6 May-26 Oct 1921); Rio Hato, Panama, 13 Nov 1940; Beane Field, St Lucia, c. 28 Sep 1941; Orlando AB, FL, 31 Oct 1942; Pinecastle AAFld, FL, 15 Apr 1943; Brooksville AAFld, FL, 7 Jan 1944; Pinecastle AAFld, FL, 13 Feb 1944; Dalhart AAFld, TX, c. 9 Mar 1944; McCook AAFld, KS, 19 May-18 Nov 1944; North Field, Tinian, 28 Dec 1944-6 Mar 1946; Clark Field, Luzon, 14 Mar 1946; Harmon Field, Guam, 9 Jun 1947-20 Oct 1948. Fairfield-Suisun AFB, CA, 1 May 1949; Mountain Home AFB, ID, 1 May 1953-25 Jun 1966 (deployed at Fairford RAF Station, England, 23 May-8 Jul 1955). Beale AFB, CA, 1 Jul 1986-30 Jun 1990. Osan AB, South Korea, 1 Oct 1994-.

Aircraft

Apparently included JN-4 during period 1917-1918. Included DH-4 and O-2 during period 1919-1928; in addition to O-1, O-11, and O-25, included O-31, Y1O-35, O-39, A-3, B-6, and C-8 during period 1928-1936; B-10, 1936-1938; B-18, 1938-1942; B-24, 1942-1943; B-25, 1943; B-26, 1943- 1944; B-17, 1944; B-29, 1944-1947. B/RB-17, 1949-1950; RB-29, 1949- 1950; B-29, 1949-1954; B-47, 1954-1966. U-2/TR-1, 1986-1990; SR-71, 1986-1990; T-38, 1986-1990.

Operations

Flying training unit, 1917-1918. Demonstrations of effectiveness of aerial bombardment on warships, Jun-Sep 1921. Antisubmarine patrols, and reconnaissance of Vichy French fleet at Martinique, Dec 1941-Oct 1942. Trained cadres for bombardment units, Nov 1942-Feb 1944. Combat in Western Pacific, 25 Jan-15 Aug 1945. Unmanned, Apr 1947-20 Oct 1948. Maintained alert during Cuban missile crisis, Oct 1962. Reconnaissance pilot training, 1986-1990.

Honors

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Kawasaki, Japan, 15/16 Apr 1945; Japan, 13-28 May 1945. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1957-31 Jan 1958; 1 Jul 1986-30 Jun 1987; 1 Jul 1989-30 Jun 1990.

Emblem

On a Blue disc piped with Yellow a Yellow increscent moon and five stars. On the lower horn of the crescent a Black and White owl holding in his right claw a Silver telescope. Approved on 27 May 1924 (K 2661).