Country United States | Garrison/HQ Beale Air Force Base | |
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Active 1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1952–1953; 1987–2000; 2005–present Branch United States Air Force Type Reconnaissance and Surveillance Part of Air Force Reserve Command | ||
The 13th Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 926th Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. It operates RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
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Mission
The squadron provides theater commanders with near-real-time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition data.
World War II
The 13th flew combat in the European Theater of Operations from 28 March 1943 – 26 April 1945.
Airlift
In 1952, it converted to a troop carrier mission and provided intra-theater airlift for high-ranking USAFE military and civilian officials and small mission-essential equipment from, 1987–1993. In 1987, it was renamed the 13th Military Airlift Squadron.
The squadron moved without personnel and equipment to McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, on 1 October 1993 and absorbed personnel and equipment of the 30th Airlift Squadron and was renamed the 13th Airlift Squadron. Equipped with C-141, the squadron took on a new worldwide airlift mission until its inactivation in 2000.
Unmanned reconnaissance
Since 2005 the 13th has operated and maintained deployable, long-endurance RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft and ground control elements to fulfill training and operational requirements generated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in support of unified commanders and the Secretary of Defense. It currently trains all RQ-4B pilots and sensor operators.