 | ||
Active 1947–199022 July 2010 – 7 October 2015 Type Bombardment / Reconnaissance Reconnaissance MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9A Reaper | ||
The 60th Reconnaissance Squadron was an active United States Air Force unit. It was inactivated on 7 October 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
Contents
As the 60th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy it was last assigned to the 43d Bombardment Wing. It was inactivated at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 30 April 1990.
History
Constituted as a very long range weather squadron in 1947, flew RB/WB-29 Superfortress monitoring weather patterns over the Eastern and Northern Pacific ocean, coordinating with the MATS Air Weather Service. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget reductions.
Reactivated in 1952 as a Strategic Air Command RB-36 Peacemaker strategic reconnaissance squadron; flew very long range intelligence gathering missions until 1959 when it became a B-52G Stratofortress heavy bomb squadron. Stood nuclear alert between 1959–1971 with the B-52G, was equipped with the AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile. Squadron reassigned to Andersen AFB, Guam in 1971 when Ramey AFB was closed and reassigned to the 43d wing and re-equipped with the B-52D, configured for conventional bombing. From Andersen AFB, the squadron engaged in combat operations over Indochina flying Arc Light, Linebacker I and Linebacker II bombing missions over North Vietnam until 1973.
Squadron remained on alert after the Vietnam War on Guam; re-equipped with B-52Gs in 1983. Remained on alert throughout the balance of the Cold War, inactivating in 1990 and the cessation of permanent aircraft stationing on Guam. Redesignated as the 60th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, and converted to provisional status, on 22 July 2010.
It was inactivated on 7 October 2015 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. Chabelley Field Airport was about seven miles from the main part of Camp Lemonnier.
For World War II era 60th Bombardment Squadron, see; 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron.