III Reconnaissance Command
III Reconnaissance Command | |
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![]() A Lockheed F-5 Lightning as used by photographic reconnaissance units training under III Reconnaissance Commband | |
Active | 1941-1946 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | reconnaissance training |
Insignia | |
III Reconnaissance Command Distinctive Unit Insigne (approved 23 July 1942)[1] | ![]() |
The III Reconnaissance Command was a United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, where it was inactivated on 8 April 1946.
History[]
Flew antisubmarine patrols off the east coast, 7 December 1941 – 15 October 1942. Trained light bombardment crews, participated in air-ground maneuvers, and demonstrated air support techniques, September 1941-May 1944. Trained reconnaissance personnel and organizations, May 1944 – 1946.[1]
Lineage[]
- Constituted as the 1st Air Support Command on 21 August 1941
- Activated on 4 September 1941
- Redesignated 1st Ground Air Support Command c. 30 April 1942
- Redesignated I Air Support Command c. 18 September 1942
- Redesignated I Tactical Air Division c. 15 August 1943
- Redesignated III Tactical Air Division c. 15 April 1944
- Redesignated III Reconnaissance Command c. 1 June 1945
- Inactivated on 9 April 1946
- Disbanded on 8 October 1948[1][2]
Assignments[]
- First Air Force, 4 September 1941[3]
- Third Air Force, 17 August 1942 – 9 April 1946[4]
Components[]
- Groups
- 26th Observation Group: 1 September 1941 – 17 August 1942[5]
- 48th Fighter-Bomber Group: attached 10 September 1943 – 14 January 1944[6]
- Squadrons
- : 1 September 1941 – 3 February 1942[7]
- 3d Observation Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 12 March 1942 (attached to the Coast Artillery School)[8]
- 14th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – 4 April 1944[9]
- 14th Tow Target Squadron: 17 December 1942 – 4 November 1943[10]
- 19th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 15 April 1944[11]
- : 11 August 1943 – c. 14 June 1944[12]
- 103d Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April 1944 – 3 June 1944[13]
- 119th Observation Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 29 March 1942 (attached to 59th Observation Group)[14]
- 121st Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 20 March 1944[15]
- 127th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – 31 April 1944[16]
- 162nd Liaison Squadron: 15 May – 24 June 1944[17]
Stations[]
- Mitchel Field, New York, 1 September 1941
- Morris Field, North Carolina, November 1942
- Key Field, Mississippi, c. 3 April 1944
- Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, November 1945-9 April 1946[1]
References[]
Notes[]
- ^ a b c d Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 440-441
- ^ Some details from Kane and Haulman.
- ^ Kane, Robert B. (11 June 2009). "Factsheet First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019). "Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy (27 December 2007). "Factsheet 350 Electronic Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Robertson, Patsy E. (7 July 2017). "Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 11
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 24
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 78
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 80
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 103
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 266
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 188
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 590
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 348
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 351
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362
Bibliography[]
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Categories:
- Intermediate combat commands of the United States Army Air Forces
- Reconnaissance units of the United States Army Air Forces
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1948