3d Special Operations Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 3d Special Operations Squadron (3 SOS) flies MQ-1 Predator Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPA) and is currently located at Cannon Air Force Base
in Clovis
, New Mexico
. The 3d SOS is under the command of the Air Force Special Operations Command
.
At Langley Field, VA, the squadron engaged in aerial observation work with the Coast Artillery School until Apr 1942. It supported ground forces on maneuvers during 1942, and served as a training and demonstration unit Jan 1943-Feb 1944. The squadron was not manned or equipped, 1 Mar-2 Jul 1944.
Activated again in May 1952 under Strategic Air Command as part of its global reconnaissance mission. The squadron did not receive its first aircraft until 1 Jul 1953, when it immediately began familiarization training, followed by in-flight refueling training in Feb 1954. It received RB-47E aircraft in Mar 1954, and conducted its first long-range mission (6 planes to Alaska for 10 days) in May 1954. The squadron deployed at RAF Upper Heyford, England, 14 Sep-3 Nov 1954. Some of these flights were mounted from Thule
in Greenland
and probed deep into the heart of the Soviet Union
, taking a photographic and radar recording of the route attacking SAC bombers would follow to reach their targets. Flights which involved penetrating mainland Russia were termed SENSINT (Sensitive Intelligence) missions. One RB-47 even managed to fly 450 miles inland and photograph the city of Igarka
in Siberia
. It photographed numerous Air Force bases and American cities, 1954–1958, and participated regularly in SAC exercises. Missions flown on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB-47 to Soviet air defenses and the development of the U-2 aircraft. Became non-operational, 15 Apr-l Jul 1958 when it inactivated.
As the 3d Air Commando Squadron in South Vietnam, it absorbed resources of the 14 Air Commando Squadron. It flew combat missions in AC-47D gunships in close air support of ground forces, providing flare illumination and gunfire in support of strategic hamlets, out¬posts, and friendly forces under night attack. From 16 Feb-1 May 1969, all squadron aircraft were maintained on ground alert when not flying, due to the TET (New Year) offensive. It began transferring its gunships to the Vietnamese Air Force in Jun 1969 and flew its last mission on 7 Aug 1969.
The 3 Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron although having a "tactical" designation, was not equipped with aircraft. Rather, it operated Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, the Pacific Air Forces Electronic Warfare Range, the Crowe Valley Aerial Gunnery Range, and associated facilities. It provided realistic conventional, tactical, and electronic warfare training in a simulated com¬bat environment during COPE THUNDER exercises. These exercises provided combat training for fighter aircrews of not only the US Air Force, but also fighter crews of the US Marine Corps, US Navy, and allied air forces in the western Pacific area. Following the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in Jun 1991, personnel were evacuated, and the squadron remained unmanned until its inactivation.
Provided remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) support to a multitude of ground forces, 2005-Present.
Cannon Air Force Base
Cannon Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately southwest of Clovis, New Mexico. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Force Special Operations Command ....
in Clovis
Clovis, New Mexico
Clovis is the county seat of Curry County, New Mexico, United States. Its population was 32,667 at the 2000 census; according to 2010 Census Bureau estimates, the population had risen to 37,775....
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The 3d SOS is under the command of the Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
.
History
Organized in France in Apr 1918, the Photographic Section No. 1 processed aerial photographs taken by flying units working with the I Army Corps (American) and French XXXVIII Army Corps, 5 Apr-Nov 1918. The 1 Photographic Section, from Sept 1919 until becoming the 3 Observation Squadron on 1 Jun 1937, processed aerial photography of associated observation squadrons in Texas.At Langley Field, VA, the squadron engaged in aerial observation work with the Coast Artillery School until Apr 1942. It supported ground forces on maneuvers during 1942, and served as a training and demonstration unit Jan 1943-Feb 1944. The squadron was not manned or equipped, 1 Mar-2 Jul 1944.
Activated again in May 1952 under Strategic Air Command as part of its global reconnaissance mission. The squadron did not receive its first aircraft until 1 Jul 1953, when it immediately began familiarization training, followed by in-flight refueling training in Feb 1954. It received RB-47E aircraft in Mar 1954, and conducted its first long-range mission (6 planes to Alaska for 10 days) in May 1954. The squadron deployed at RAF Upper Heyford, England, 14 Sep-3 Nov 1954. Some of these flights were mounted from Thule
Thule
Thule Greek: Θούλη, Thoulē), also spelled Thula, Thila, or Thyïlea, is, in classical European literature and maps, a region in the far north. Though often considered to be an island in antiquity, modern interpretations of what was meant by Thule often identify it as Norway. Other interpretations...
in Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
and probed deep into the heart of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, taking a photographic and radar recording of the route attacking SAC bombers would follow to reach their targets. Flights which involved penetrating mainland Russia were termed SENSINT (Sensitive Intelligence) missions. One RB-47 even managed to fly 450 miles inland and photograph the city of Igarka
Igarka
Igarka is an town in Turukhansky District of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, located north of the Arctic Circle. It is also a port on the Yenisei River, located away from the river's mouth...
in Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
. It photographed numerous Air Force bases and American cities, 1954–1958, and participated regularly in SAC exercises. Missions flown on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB-47 to Soviet air defenses and the development of the U-2 aircraft. Became non-operational, 15 Apr-l Jul 1958 when it inactivated.
As the 3d Air Commando Squadron in South Vietnam, it absorbed resources of the 14 Air Commando Squadron. It flew combat missions in AC-47D gunships in close air support of ground forces, providing flare illumination and gunfire in support of strategic hamlets, out¬posts, and friendly forces under night attack. From 16 Feb-1 May 1969, all squadron aircraft were maintained on ground alert when not flying, due to the TET (New Year) offensive. It began transferring its gunships to the Vietnamese Air Force in Jun 1969 and flew its last mission on 7 Aug 1969.
The 3 Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron although having a "tactical" designation, was not equipped with aircraft. Rather, it operated Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, the Pacific Air Forces Electronic Warfare Range, the Crowe Valley Aerial Gunnery Range, and associated facilities. It provided realistic conventional, tactical, and electronic warfare training in a simulated com¬bat environment during COPE THUNDER exercises. These exercises provided combat training for fighter aircrews of not only the US Air Force, but also fighter crews of the US Marine Corps, US Navy, and allied air forces in the western Pacific area. Following the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in Jun 1991, personnel were evacuated, and the squadron remained unmanned until its inactivation.
Provided remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) support to a multitude of ground forces, 2005-Present.
Lineage
- Organized as Photographic Section No. 1 on 4 Apr 1918
- Demobilized on 3 Jul 1919
- Reconstituted, and consolidated (1924), with 1st Photographic Section which was authorized on 15 Aug 1919
- Organized on 27 Sept 1919
- Redesignated: 3d Observation Squadron on 1 Jun 1937
- Redesignated: 3d Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942
- Redesignated: 3d Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
- Redesignated: 3d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943
- Disbanded on 2 Jul 1944
- Reconstituted, and redesignated 3d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium, on 9 May 1952
- Activated on 28 May 1952
- Inactivated on 1 Jul 1958
- Consolidated (19 Sept 1985) with: 3d Special Operations Squadron
- Constituted 3d Air Commando Squadron, and activated, on 5 Apr 1968
- Organized on 1 May 1968
- Redesignated 3d Special Operations Squadron on 1 Aug 1968
- Inactivated on 15 Sept 1969
- Consolidated (19 Sept 1985) with: 3d Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron
- Constituted 3d Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 13 May 1976
- Activated on 15 May 1976
- Consolidated squadron retained designation: 3d Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron
- Inactivated on 30 Sept 1991
- Redesignated 3d Special Operations Squadron on 20 Oct 2005
- Activated on 28 Oct 2005
Assignments
- I Corps Observation Group1st Corps Observation Group (World War I)The 1st Corps Observation Group is an inactive United States Army unit. It was last assigned to the I Corps, United States Army Air Service, during World War I in France...
, Apr 1918 - First Army Observation Group, Nov 1918-Apr 1919
- Unkn, Apr-3 Jul 1919
- 1st Wing, 27 Sept 1919
- 1st Surveillance Group, c. 12 Nov 1919
- Eighth Corps Area, Jun 1922
- In association with 12th Observation Squadron, affiliated with 1 Cavalry Division, Jun 1922-Jun 1926, and with 2 Division, Jun 1926-c. Oct 1931
- 3d Attack Group, 8 May 1929
- 12th Observation Group12th Observation GroupThe 12th Observation Group is an inactive United States Army unit. It was last assigned to the Eighth Corps Area, United States Army, stationed at Brooks Field, Texas. It was disbanded on 30 June 1937....
, attached 1 Oct 1930, assigned 31 Oct 1931, attached 1 Mar 1935 - Eighth Corps Area, 1 Jun 1937
- Third Corps Area, 20 Jun 1937 attached to Coast Artillery School
- Coast Artillery School, c. 1939
- I Air Support Command, 1 Sept 1941 (attached to Coast Artillery School to 5 Apr 1942)
- 73d Observation Group, 12 Mar 1942
- Second Air ForceSecond Air ForceThe Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
, 12 Aug 1942
- Attached to II Ground Air [later, II Air] Support Command to 23 Sept 1942
- IV Ground Air (later, IV Air) Support Command, 7 Sept 1942
- Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics, 21 Jan 1943
- Air Support Department, AAF School of Applied Tactics (later, Tactical Air Force, AAF Tactical Center), 18 Feb 1943
- Attached to 432 Observation (later, 432 Reconnaissance; 432 Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 27 Mar-1 Nov 1943
- Tactical Air Division, AAF Tactical Center, 4 Jan 1944
- Orlando Fighter WingOrlando Fighter WingThe Orlando Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics, stationed at Orlando Army Air Base, Florida It was inactivated on 1 April 1944- History:...
, 20 Feb 1944 - AAF Tactical Center, 28 Mar-2 Jul 1944
- 26th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 28 May 1952-1 Jul 1958
- Pacific Air Forces, 5 Apr 1968
- 14th Air Commando (later, 14 Special Operations) Wing, 1 May 1968-15 Sept 1969
- 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 May 1976
- 6200 Tactical Fighter Training Group, 1 Jan 1980-30 Sept 1991
- 16th Operations (later, 1 Special Operations) Group1st Special Operations WingThe 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida is one of two United States Air Force active duty Special Operations wings and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command ....
, 28 Oct 2005–Present
Stations
- Ourches, France, 4 Apr 1918
- Detachment at Flin, France, 15-28 Jun 1918
- Saints, France, 29 Jun 1918
- Detachment at Ourches, France, until c. mid-Jul 1918
- Francheville, France, 9 Jul 1918
- Moras Ferme (near La Ferte-sous Jouarre), France, c. 25 Jul 1918
- Lizy-sur-Ourcq, France, c. 4 Aug 1918
- Coincy, France, c. 10 Aug 1918
- Chailly-en-Brie, France, 13 Aug 1918
- Toul, France, 24 Aug 1918
- Remicourt, France, 19 Sept 1918
- Julvecourt, France, 3 Nov 1918
- Vavincourt, France, c. 28 Nov 1918
- Colombey-les-Belles, France, c. 5 May 1919
- Port of embarkation, France, May-Jun 1919
- Garden CityGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, c. 20 Jun-3 Jul 1919 - Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 27 Sept 1919 - Kelly Field, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 2 Jul 1921 - Fort BlissFort BlissFort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 24 Jun 1922 - Fort Sam HoustonFort Sam HoustonFort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 22 Jun 1926 - Brooks FieldBrooks City-BaseBrooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 31 Oct 1931 - Langley Field, VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, 20 Jun 1937 - Desert Training Center (Camp Cooke Airfield)Desert Training CenterThe Desert Training Center was a World War II training facility established in the Mojave Desert; largely in Southern California and Western Arizona in 1942....
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 22 Apr 1942 - Blythe Army Air Base, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 30 May 1942 - Keystone Army Airfield, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 21 Jan 1943 - Alachua Army Airfield, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 3 Feb 1944 - Orlando Army Air Base, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 6 Mar-2 Jul 1944 - Lockbourne AFB, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, 28 May 1952-1 Jul 1958 - Nha Trang Air BaseNha Trang Air BaseNha Trang Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield in Vietnam. It is located northwest of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province....
, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 1 May 1968-15 Sept 1969 - Camp O'DonnellCamp O'DonnellCamp O'Donnell was a facility of the United States Air Force in Capas, Tarlac, The Philippines. Before the facility was transferred to the Air Force, it was first a Philippine Constabulary post then a United States Army facility....
, PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, 15 May 1976-30 Sept 1991 - Nellis AFB, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, 28 Oct 2005–Present
Aircraft
- Included B-10, L-2, and apparently 0-25 and 0-43 during years 1937-1942
- North American O-47North American O-47|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.* Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946....
, c. 1938-1942 - Stinson L-1 Vigilant, 1941–1942
- O-52 Owl, 1941–1942
- L-4 Grasshopper, 1942
- P-39 Aircobra, 1943–1944
- A-20 Havoc, 1943
- DB-7 Boston, 1943
- L-2 Grasshopper, 1943
- L-3 Grasshopper, 1943
- YRB-47 Stratojet, 1953–1954
- RB-47 Stratojet, 1954–1958
- B-47 StratojetB-47 StratojetThe Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
, 1958 - AC-47 Spooky, 1968–1969
- MQ-1 Predator, 2005–Present