Active 2009- | Country United States | |
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Branch United States Air Force Type Remote Piloted Aircraft operations | ||
The 29th Attack Squadron is an active United States Air Force training unit flying the MQ-9 Reaper. It is assigned to the 49th Wing, stationed at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. It was activated on 23 October 2009.
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History
Established in early 1942 as an observation squadron; trained under Third Air Force in the southeast. Equipped with the P-39F-2 Airacobra variant which was capable of both ground-attack and reconnaissance missions. Functioned primarily as a training unit during World War II, providing training of reconnaissance pilots and also supporting various Army training units at Fort Polk, Fort Campbell and also the Desert Training Center in Southern California. Also flew P-40F Warhawks also equipped for reconnaissance missions. Remained in active service after the war ended as a F-6 Mustang night reconnaissance squadron, but inactivated in 1946 as part of the general demobilization of the USAAF.
Reactivated in 1954 under Tactical Air Command and equipped with RF-80A Shooting Stars at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. Performed training of reconnaissance pilots; being upgraded to the RF-84F Thunderstreak in 1955 and the RF-101C Voodoo in 1957 as a component of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Group. Remained at Shaw when the 432d was inactivated and reassigned to the 363d TRW. Inactivated in 1966 with the phaseout of the RF-101.
Reactivated in 1968 and equipped with the RF-4C Phantom II due to a critical need for reconnaissance pilots due to the Vietnam War. Performed training on the RF-4C until 1971 when inactivated due to the USAF drawdown in Vietnam and budget reductions.
On 23 October 2009, the 29th Attack Squadron (ATKS) was stood up under the 49th Wing at Holloman AFB, New Mexico under the command of Lt Colonel James S. Merchant. An initial cadre of twelve instructors (six Instructor Pilots and six Instructor Sensor Operators) manned the unit. The unit replaced the 432d Operations Group, Detachment 1 and fell under the auspices of the 432d Wing at Creech AFB, Nevada. It is the one and only MQ-9 Reaper FTU (Formal Training Unit) in the United States Air Force.