111th Reconnaissance Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 111th Reconnaissance Squadron


dates= 14 August 1917-19 August 1919
29 June 1923 - present
caption= Ace in the Hole
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= Texas Air National Guard
type= Squadron
role= Reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= Air National Guard/Air Combat Command
current_commander=
garrison= Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base Houston, Texas
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= The Ace in the Hole Squadron
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=

The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is an MQ-1 flying squadron attached to the 147th Operations Group, 147th Reconnaissance Wing based at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, and part of the Texas Air National Guard & 1st Air Force. In continuous operation since 1923, the Squadron has seen combat in World War II (1942-1945), the Korean War (1951-1952), and the Iraq War (2005, 2007).

Missions

The mission of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is Tactical Reconnaissance.

History

Early years

The "111th Reconnaissance Squadron" began as the 111th Aero Squadron on 14 August 1917 at Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX."AG 320.2 (9-8-36), War Department". Washington, DC: The Adjutant General's Office, 16 October 1936.] The unit, composed of teamsters and laborers, was on special duty at Kelly Field and was known as the "Post Headquarters Squadron." The squadron deactivated 19 August 1919 but was called to service again, receiving Federal Recognition on 29 June 1923 in the old Houston Light Guard Armory, as the 111th Observation Squadron, 36th Division, Texas Air National Guard.'The squadron had no airplanes, so the hot summer of 1923 was devoted to close-order drill and classroom sessions. That was remedied, however, in September of that year when the 111th became airborne in the Curtiss JN-6H Jenny.

In September 1927 the Curtiss JN-6Hs were retired and the squadron gained Consolidated PT-1s and several other trainers until June 1928 when new Douglas O-2H observation aircraft arrived. These planes were replaced with new Douglas O-38 observation planes in January 1931. By 1938 the squadron was flying both Douglas Douglas O-43As and North American O-47s.

World War II

With the onset of World War II, the unit was called into federal service 25 November 1940 and trained with the 36th Division at Brownwood Airfield TexasWatson, W.E. Jr., ed. "111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron Sept. 27 1942". Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History (AFHRC), c. 1945.] until Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was sent to the Mexican border, Fort Clark Springs Texas. The border patrol was short, and on 14 February 1942, the squadron left Texas for Augusta Georgia, and became part of the 68th Observation Group. Pilots trained on Douglas O-43A, Vultee/Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant and Douglas A-20B Havoc aircraft in preparation for deployment to the European Theater of Operations (ETO).

In 1942 the ground echelon and some pilots made their way to Scotland then England in preparation for landing on the Algerian beaches as part of Operation Torch, their shiny new P-39 Airacobras had to be assembled and tested before flying from England to Algeria. Some of the pilots of the 68th Group flew their A-20s directly across the Atlantic on the "Southern Route" and immediately began flying over the Mediterranean in anti-submarine patrols, sinking at least one submarine. As the invasion force moved inland, the three squadrons of the group divided up the A-20s and P-39s by squadron and the 111th took on the Fighter Reconnaissance role in the P-39. In March 1943, the 111th left the 68th Group to defend against a possible invasion of French Morocco from Spanish Morocco while the rest of the group was selected to support the Tunisian Campaign of the Army’s II Corps. In June 1943 the newly redesignated 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Allison engined P-51’s, became the eyes of the 7th Army in Sicily, Operation Husky. They were temporarily assigned to the 5th Army in Italy, but returned in July 1944 in time to support the 7th Army’s invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon. The 111th remained with the 7th Army through the end of the war. From VE Day until December 1945, the Squadron served in the occupation force, and conducted postwar photo-mapping of the devastation in France.

During 23 months of continuous combat flying, from June 1943 through May 1945, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew 3,840 reconnaissance missions. While keeping Army Headquarters informed of enemy movements, the 111th destroyed 44 enemy aircraft, damaged 29 others and claimed 12 probable kills. The squadron received eight Battle Stars, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre for its World War II accomplishments.Hail, Mitchell T., ed. "History of the Houston Air National Guard". Ellington Field, Texas: 147th Fighter Wing, 2007.]

Korean Conflict

The 111th Fighter Squadron was reformed at Ellington AFB in 1947 as part of an expanded Air National Guard. On June 27, 1950 the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing was formed to fight in Korea, and was made up of the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, the 182nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, and the 154th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. The 111th initially operated from Itazuke Airbase, Japan. Later that summer the 111th joined the rest of the 136th Fighter Bomber Group at Taegu, Korea. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/korean_war/usaf_organizations_korea/fighter_bomber.html Air Force Historical Research Agency] Access date:1 June 2007.]

22 of 27 Air National Guard Wings and 67 of 84 flying squadrons were called to active Federal service between October 1950 and April 1951. Only two Air Guard wings, the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing (Georgia) and the "136th Fighter Bomber Wing" (Texas) fought in Korea, entering combat in May 1951. Both wings had to transition from outdated aircraft to the F-84 Thunderjet before shipping off to war. Most of the missions assigned to the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron were close air support, and aerial interdiction of enemy troops and supplies. [ [http://www.state.nj.us/military/korea/factsheets.pdf Korean War Memorial] Access date: 13 May 2007.]

The squadron flew over 6,000 escort, interdiction, and close air support sorties for the United Nations Troops and 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron pilots destroyed at least two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter jets. ["General Order Number 126, Headquarters Far East Air Forces, APO 925, 1". Tokyo, Japan: Headquarters Far East Air Forces, 3 March 1952.]

The 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron returned to the Houston Municipal Airport without aircraft or personnel in July 1952 and began to rebuild. In July 1956 the F-80 Shooting Stars of the 111th Fighter Squadron went on "Dawn to Dusk" alert at the Houston Municipal Airport.

Cold War

With the squadron's conversion to all weather F-86D Sabre interceptors in August 1957, plans were made to reorganize the 600 man Augmented Squadron to an Air Defense Command group structure. On 16 May 1958 the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group was formed with five new squadrons to support the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

In June 1959 the squadron traded their F-86D Sabre for the upgraded F-86L Sabre with uprated afterburning engines and new electronics. In August 1960 the unit became one of the first to transition to the F-102A Delta Dagger all-weather fighter interceptor and began a 24-hour alert to guard the Texas Gulf coast. By January 1970 the group was starting a new mission: training all F-102 pilots in the United States for the Air National Guard.

On 6 May 1971 the unit received F-101F Voodoo fighter interceptors and became the training center for all Air National Guard interceptors. In August 1974, after 14 years of service, the unit's F-102s were retired, but the unit maintained a full fleet of F-101s.

The squadron converted to F-4C Phantoms in 1982 and converted to F-4D Phantoms starting in November 1986.

In September 1989 the 111th converted to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and by June 1992 the jets were being converted to F-16 air defense fighters, later converting to F-16 Fighting Falcon beginning in September 1996; a transition completed by February 1997. [http://www.txelli.ang.af.mil/111th_History.aspx 111th History] Access date: 13 May 2007.]

In October 2000, elements of the 111th Fighter Squadron and the 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch.

Global War on Terror

Following the terrorist attacks on the morning of 11 September 2001, four 111th Fighter Squadron aircraft were launched to escort the President - and former 111th FIS pilot - George W. Bush, onboard Air Force 1 from Florida to Louisiana, Nebraska and finally back to Washington DC that same day. December 2001 saw the 111th deploy to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to fly Air Defense Combat Air Patrol missions over New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

In August 2005 components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq to conduct combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. The men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW once again distinguished themselves by flying 462 sorties and almost 1,900 hours in a two-month span; with a perfect record of 100% maintenance delivery (zero missed sorties), 100% mission effectiveness, and 100% weapons employment/hits under the most challenging combat conditions.

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended the retirement of the Block 25 F-16 aircraft from the Air National Guard. This prompted the Texas Governor Rick Perry to assign the newly acquired MQ-1 Predator reconnaissance mission to the 147th Wing.

In April 2007, components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing again deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism, where the men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW continued their distinguished combat tradition. On this deployment the 111th Fighter Squadron flew 348 tasked sorties, plus six no-notice Close Air Support (CAS) alert scrambles and four short-notice (less than 30 minute & not on the ATO [Air Tasking Order - A method used to task and disseminate to components, subordinate units, and command and control agencies projected sorties / capabilities / forces to targets and specific missions. Normally provides specific instructions to include call signs, targets, controlling agencies, etc., as well as general instructions.] ) pre-planned alert launches. With an average combat sortie lasting almost 4.42 hours, the unit accumulated a total of 1537.1 combat hours. Maintenance delivery effectiveness for this deployment was an astonishing 102% due to the inclusion of the unscheduled CAS scrambles. Mission effectiveness and weapons employment were both once again a perfect 100%. ["147th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, Public release". Houston, Texas: 147th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, 10 June 2007.]

Assignments

Major Command/Gaining Command

*Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-Present)
*Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1980-1992)
*Air National Guard/Aerospace Defense Command (1958-1980)

Previous designations

* 14 Aug 1917 111th Aero Squadron Kelly Field, Texas
* Before Aug 1919 redesignated 632nd Aero Squadron
* 19 Aug 1919 deactivated
* 29 Jun 1923 111th Observation Squadron attached to the 36th Infantry Division
** Sep 1923 Ellington Field, Texas
** 1927 Houston Municipal AirportHail, Mitchell T., ed. "111th Fighter Squadron Timeline". Ellington Field, Texas: 147th Fighter Wing, c. 1998.]
* Nov 25, 1940 called into Federal service
** Jan 1941 Brownwood, Texas
** Mar 1941 Houston, Texas
** May 1941 Abilene, Texas
** Jun 1941 Brownwood, Texas
** Aug 1941 Mansfield, Louisiana
** Nov 1941 Greenville, South Carolina
** Dec 6, 1941 Brownwood, Texas [http://www.usaaf.net/chron/index.htm Jack McKillop's Combat Chronology of World War II] ]
* Early 1942 111th Observation Squadron attached to the 68th Observation Group, Macon, Georgia
** 1942 Morris Field, North Carolina
** Sep 21, 1942 Fort Dix, New Jersey
** Oct 3, 1942 Gourock, Scotland
** Oct 4, 1942 Wattisham Station, England
** Oct 23, 1942 Greenock, Scotland
** Nov 8, 1942 Arzew, Algeria - Operation Torch
** Nov 10, 1942 St. Leu, Algeria
** Nov 16, 1942 Tafaroui, Algeria
** Dec 19, 1942 Oujda, French Morocco
** Apr 4, 1943 Guercif, French Morocco
** May 27, 1943 Nuvion, Algeria
* Jun 1943 111th Reconnaissance Squadron - independent operations - Nuvion, Algeria
* Jun 20, 1943 111th Reconnaissance Squadron - 68th Reconnaissance Group Bou Fischa, Tunisia
** Jul 2, 1943 Korba, Tunisia
** Jul 14, 1943 Ponte Olivio, Sicily- Operation Husky
** Aug 11, 1943 Termini Imerese, Sicily
** Sep 2, 1943 Sant' Antonio, Sicily
** Sep 16, 1943 Sele Airfield, Italy
** Oct 5, 1943 Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy
* May 9, 1944 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron - 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group - 12th Tactical Air Command Santa Maria, Italy
** Jun 6, 1944 Anzio-Nettuno, Italy
** Jun 11, 1944 Ponte Galeria, Italy
** Jun 18, 1944 Voltone, Italy
** Jul 2, 1944 Follonica, Italy
** Jul 21, 1944 Borgo, Corsica
** Aug 27, 1944 St. Raphael, France- Operation Dragoon
** Sep 5, 1944 Valence, France
** Sep 9, 1944 Satolas-et-Bonce, France
** Sep 23, 1944 Dijon, France
* Oct 30, 1944 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron - Provisional Reconnaissance Group Azelot, France
* Apr 2, 1945 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron - 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group - First Tactical Air Force (Provisional) Haguenau, France
** Jul 1, 1945 Fürth, Germany
* Dec 1945 111th Fighter Squadron Ellington Field, Texas
* Oct 1950 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron attached to the 136th Fighter-Bomber Group [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/korean_war/usaf_organizations_korea/fighter_bomber.html Air Force Historical Research Agency] ]
** Aug 1, 1951 Itazuke Airbase, Japan
** Sep 1951 Taegu, Korea
* Jul 1952 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas
* Sep 1953 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas
** Nov 1956 attached to the Aerospace Defense Command, Ellington Field, Texas
** Oct 1957 Air National Guard Jet Instrument School, Ellington Field, Texas
** May 1958 attached to the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group, Ellington Field, Texas
* Oct 1995 111th Fighter Squadron still attached to a redesignated 147th Fighter Wing, Ellington Field, Texas
* Jun 2008 111th Reconnaissance Squadron still attached to a redesignated 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Ellington Field, Texas

Bases stationed

*Ellington Field, Houston, Texas (1958-Present)

=Aircraft OperatedHail, Mitchell T., ed. "Aircraft of the Houston Army & Air National Guard 1923 to 1989 ". Ellington Field, Texas: 147th Fighter-Intercepter Group, c. 1989.] =

Mission Support

*MQ-1 Predator (2008-Present)
*F-16C Fighting Falcon (1995-2007)
*F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1989-1995)
*F-4D Phantom II (1987-1989)
*F-4C Phantom II (1982-1987)
*RF-4C Phantom II (1974) (about two months, orders changed)
*F-101B/F Voodoo (1971-1982)
*F-102A Delta Dagger (1960-1974)
*F-86L Sabre (1959-1960)
*F-86D Sabre (1957-1959)
*F-80C Shooting Star (1953-1957)
*F-51H Mustang (1952-1953)
*F-84E Thunderjet (1951-1952)
*F-51D Mustang (1947-1951)
*T-6 Texan (1947-1953)
*UC-64A Norseman (1945) (Mapped Post-War France)
*F-6D Mustang (1945)
*F-6C Mustang (1944-1945)
*F-6A Mustang (1943-1944)
*P-39L/N Airacobra (1942-1943)
*A-20B Havoc (1942-1943)
*L-4 Grasshopper (1941-1942)
*O-52 Owl (1941-1942)
*O-49 Vigilant (1941-1942)
*North American O-47A/B (1938-1942)
*Douglas O-43A (1934-1938)
*Douglas O-38E (1931-1934)
*Douglas O-2H (1928-1931)
*Douglas O-2C (1926-1927) - first new airplane and first operationally equipped airplane, the Guard Bureau bought one for each squadron
*TW-3 Trusty (1924- 1926)
*JN-6H Jenny (1923-1927)

Trainer & Utility

*C-26B Metroliner (1991-2007)
*C-26A Metroliner (1989-1995)
*C-131B Samaritan (1978-1989) (Miss Piggy)
*VT-29D Samaritan (1974-1978)
*Cessna U-3A (1970-1974)
*C-54 Skymaster (1967-1974)
*TF-102A Delta Dagger (1960-1974) (Initially two, 6-8 aircraft starting for Jet Instruction School)
*T-33A Shooting Star (1951-1987), (1957-1962) (18 aircraft for the Jet Instruction School)
*C-47 Skytrain (1947-1967)
*B-26 Invader (1947-1950) (Target tug)
*L-5 Sentinel (1947-1951)
*P-43 Lancer (1942) (State-side training)
*P-40 Warhawk (1942) (State-side training)
*BC-1A Texan (1940-1941)
*O-17 Courier (1928-1933) - supplemented O-2Hs, later modified-the PT-3 standard and kept as trainers
*PT-1 Trusty (1927)
*Huff-Daland TW-5 (1924-1926)
*PT-1 Trusty (1924-1926)
*Vought VE-7 Bluebird (1924-1926)
*Airco DH-4B (1924-1926) - single aircraft assigned-the Unit Instructor

ee also

*Air National Guard
*Air Combat Command
*United States Army Air Corps
*United States Army Air Forces
*United States Air Force
*List of United States Air Force installations
*List of United States Air Force squadrons
*List of Wings of the United States Air Force
*List of Numbered Air Forces of the United States Air Force

References

* [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/aircraft.htm Air Defense Aircraft]
* Ross, Steven T. "U.S. War Plans 1938-1945". Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner, 2002. ISBN 1-58826-008-9.
* Rottman, Gordon L. "Korean War Order of Battle: United States, United Nations, and Communist Ground, Naval, and Airforces, 1950-1953". Westport Connecticut: Praeger, 2002. ISBN 0-275-97835-4.
* Scutts, Jerry. "Mustang Aces of the Ninth & 15th Airforces and the RAF". London: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 978-1855325-838.
* Tucker, Spencer C., Kim, Jinwung, Nichols, Michael R., Peirpaoli, Paul G. Jr., Roberts, Priscilla D. and Zehr, Norman R., eds. "Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social, and Military History". Oxford, UK: ABC-Clio Inc., 2000. ISBN 1-57607-029-8.

External links

* [http://www.txelli.ang.af.mil/111th_History.aspx 147th Fighter Wing History]
* [http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/snoopers.htm Texas Military Museum]