6007th Reconnaissance Group

History

Performed highly classified missions over the Soviet Union and Communist China and reconnaissance monitoring of the Korean De-militarized Zone (DMZ) during the early years of the Cold War. In 1955, the unit was equipped with Martin RB-57A-1 Canberra aircraft. The RB-57A-1s were RB-57A modified under Project Lightweight (later Project Heartthrob) with more powerful J65 engines, crew reduced from two to one, and all items not essential for the daytime photographic mission removed.

Inactivated in 1957, mission taken over by the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

It should be noted that much of this unit's history remains classified as of 2012.

Lineage

Designated as the 6007th Composite Reconnaissance Group, and organized on 11 August 1954

Redesignated 6007th Reconnaissance Group (Composite) on 1 September 1954Discontinued on 9 August 1957

Assignments

Far East Air Forces, 11 Aug 1954

Fifth Air Force, 15 Oct 1954

41st Air Division, 1 Mar 1955-9 Aug 1957.

Components

6021st Photographic Mapping Flight (Tactical Reconnaissance), 1 December 1953 (Attached from Fifth Air Force)

Redesignated: 6021st Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 March 1955-9 August 1957Attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing: 1 July-9 August 1957

6023d Radar Evaluation Flight, 18 March 1954 – 3 July 1956 (Attached from Fifth Air Force)

6091st Reconnaissance Flight, 1 December 1953 (Attached from Fifth Air Force)

Redesignated: 6091st Reconnaissance Squadron, 20 December 1954-9 August 1957Attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing: 1 July-9 August 1957

548th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, 1 July 1955 – 9 August 1957 (attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing after 1 July 1957)

Stations

Yokota AB, Japan, 11 August 1954 – 9 August 1957

6091st Reconnaissance Squadron

RB-29 Superfortress (Photo-Recon), 1954

RB-50B Superfortress (Photo/Weather Recon), 1954-1961

RB-50E Superfortress (Photo-Recon), 1954-1961

RB-50G Superfortress (ELINT/Radar Recon), 1954-1961

RB-45C Tornado, 1954

RB-57F Canberra, 1963-1968

C-47 Skytrain, 1954-1968

C-119G Flying Boxcar, 1954-1968

C-130A-II Hercules, 1961-1968

EC-97G Stratofreighter, 19631968

6021st Reconnaissance Squadron

RF-86F Sabre (Haymaker), 1953-1956

RF-80C Shooting Star, 1954-1955

RT-33A Shooting Star, 1954-1957

RB-57A-1 Canberra (Heartthrob), 1955-1957

RF-84F Thunderstreak, 1956-1957

RF-100A Super Sabre (Slick Chick), 1957-1957

6023d Radar Evaluation Flight

ECM TB-29 Superfortress (Electronic Countermeasures), 1954-1956