319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron
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The 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, operating General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned reconnaissance vehicles.
319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1945; 1947–1969; 1971–1972; 1975–1977; 2022–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | aerial reconnaissance |
Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Kadena Air Base |
Motto(s) | We Get Ours at Night |
Engagements | Mediterranean Theater of Operations Korean War |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lt. Col. Alexander Kelly[1] |
Insignia | |
319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem[note 1][2] | |
319th Fighter Squadron emblem[note 2][3] | |
Aircraft flown | |
Reconnaissance | MQ-9A Reaper |
The squadron was first activated as the 319th Fighter Squadron during World War II. After training in the United States, it deployed to North Africa. In combat operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. It was withdrawn from combat from September to December 1943 while it equipped with different aircraft and moved from Africa to Italy. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations before returning to the United States for inactivation.
The squadron was reactivated in 1947, serving in the air defense role in Panama and the Northwestern United States until the spring of 1952, when it deployed to Korea. In combat operations through 1953, it earned another Distinguished Unit Citation and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. It was inactivated in Japan in 1955. It resumed its air defense role later that year, serving as the 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron under Air Defense Command until 1969, and briefly from 1971 to 1972. It served as a training unit, the 319th Fighter Interceptor Training Squadron, with the Interceptor Weapons School from 1975 to 1977.
The squadron was converted to provisional status as the 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron to provide unmanned reconnaissance in the North Pacific in 2022.