III Reconnaissance Command: Difference between revisions

III Reconnaissance Command
III Reconnaissance Command
	A Lockheed F-5 Lightning as used by photographic reconnaissance units training under III Reconnaissance Commband
Active	1941-1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	reconnaissance training
Commanders
Notable; commanders	William E. Kepner
Insignia
III Reconnaissance Command Distinctive Unit Insigne (approved 23 July 1942)

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Revision as of 23:04, 19 January 2022

The III Reconnaissance Command was a United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, where it was inactivated on 8 April 1946.

History

General Headquarters Air Force reorganized its four regional air districts as Numbered Air Forces in the spring of 1941. By the fall of that year, each of these had organized as a support command and three combat commands.^[2] To direct its air support mission, 1st Air Force organized 1st Air Support Command at Mitchel Field, New York in September 1941.^[1]

It flew antisubmarine patrols off the east coast, 7 December 1941 – 15 October 1942. Trained light bombardment crews, participated in air-ground maneuvers, and demonstrated air support techniques, September 1941-May 1944. Trained reconnaissance personnel and organizations, May 1944 – 1946.^[1]

Lineage

Constituted as the 1st Air Support Command on 21 August 1941

Activated on 4 September 1941

Redesignated 1st Ground Air Support Command c. 30 April 1942

Redesignated I Air Support Command c. 18 September 1942

Redesignated I Tactical Air Division c. 15 August 1943

Redesignated III Tactical Air Division c. 15 April 1944

Redesignated III Reconnaissance Command c. 1 June 1945

Inactivated on 9 April 1946

Disbanded on 8 October 1948^[1]^[3]

Assignments

First Air Force, 4 September 1941^[4]
Third Air Force, 17 August 1942 – 9 April 1946^[5]

Components

Groups

26th Observation Group: 1 September 1941 – 17 August 1942^[6]
45th Bombardment Group: 21 August 1941 – 5 January 1942^[7]
48th Fighter-Bomber Group: attached 10 September 1943 – 14 January 1944^[8]
59th Observation Group: 1 September 1941 – 21 August 1942^[9]
69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 18 April 1944 – 27 March 1945^[10]

Squadrons

1st Air Support Communications Squadron, attached, c. 8 September 1943; assigned 3 November 1943 – 31 March 1944^[11]
2d Balloon Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 3 February 1942^[12]
3d Observation Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 12 March 1942 (attached to the Coast Artillery School)^[13]
5th Communications Squadron, Air Support (later 5th Air Support Communications Squadron): 15 May 1942 – c. 13 June 1943^[14]
6th Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April – 1 October 1944^[15]
7th Reconnaissance Squadron: 8 November 1943 – 1 October 1944^[16]
9th Communications Squadron, Air Support (later 9th Air Support Communications Squadron): 21 August 1942 – c. 21 November 1943^[17]
14th Air Support Communications Squadron (later 14th Tactical Air Communications Squadron): 3 March 1943 – 18 April 1944^[18]
14th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – 4 April 1944^[19]
14th Tow Target Squadron: 17 December 1942 – 4 November 1943^[20]
18th Air Support Communications Squadron, 3 November 1943 – c. 12 February 1944^[21]
19th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 15 April 1944^[22]
36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 29 March – c. November 1944^[23]
37th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 12 April – 15 November 1944^[24]
39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 12 April 1944 – 6 January 1945^[25]
40th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April – 3 June 1944^[26]
41st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 24 June – 1 October 1944; 4 December 1944 – 18 April 1945^[27]
57th Reconnaissance Squadron: 21 July 1945 – 25 January 1946^[28]
58th Reconnaissance Squadron: 21 July 1945 – 31 March 1946^[29]
72d Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 14 June 1944^[30]
103d Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April 1944 – 3 June 1944^[31]
119th Observation Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 29 March 1942 (attached to 59th Observation Group)^[32]
115th Liaison Squadron: 18 April – 29 October 1944^[33]
121st Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 20 March 1944^[34]
127th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – 31 April 1944^[35]
158th Liaison Squadron: 1 March – 1 October 1944^[36]
162nd Liaison Squadron: 15 May – 24 June 1944^[37]
163rd Liaison Squadron: 15 May 44 – 20 January 1945^[38]

Stations

Mitchel Field, New York, 4 September 1941
Morris Field, North Carolina, November 1942
Key Field, Mississippi, c. 3 April 1944
Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, November 1945-9 April 1946^[1]

References

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 440-441
^ Cate & Williams, p. 152, 155
^ Some details from Kane and Haulman.
^ Kane, Robert B. (11 June 2009). "Factsheet First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
^ Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019). "Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
^ Robertson, Patsy (27 December 2007). "Factsheet 350 Electronic Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
^ Robertson, Patsy (9 September 2008). "Factsheet 45 Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
^ Robertson, Patsy E. (7 July 2017). "Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
^ Robertson, Patsy E. (21 June 2017). "Factsheet 59 Medical Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
^ Robertson, Patsy (10 July 2017). "Factsheet 69 Reconnaissance Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
^ Bailey, Carl E. (20 May 2019). "Factsheet 1 Air Support Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 11
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 24
^ Dollman, TSG David (15 May 2017). "Factsheet 5 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 July 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 13
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 21
^ Dollman, TSG David (27 March 2017). "Factsheet 9 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Robertson, Patsy (27 March 2018). "Factsheet 14 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 78
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 80
^ Dollman, TSG Davis (31 August 2012). "Factsheet 18 Air Support Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 103
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 173
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 177
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 184
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 188
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 191
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 229
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 231
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 266
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 188
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 590
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 344
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 348
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 351
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 357
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362
^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 363

Bibliography

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

Cate, James L.; Williams, E. Kathleen (1948). "Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41". In Craven, Wesley F & Cate, James L (ed.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

[MaurerIIIRC-1] Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 440-441

[2] Cate & Williams, p. 152, 155

[3] Some details from Kane and Haulman.

[4] Kane, Robert B. (11 June 2009). "Factsheet First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.

[5] Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019). "Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.

[6] Robertson, Patsy (27 December 2007). "Factsheet 350 Electronic Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.

[7] Robertson, Patsy (9 September 2008). "Factsheet 45 Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2016.

[8] Robertson, Patsy E. (7 July 2017). "Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.

[9] Robertson, Patsy E. (21 June 2017). "Factsheet 59 Medical Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.

[10] Robertson, Patsy (10 July 2017). "Factsheet 69 Reconnaissance Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2022.

[11] Bailey, Carl E. (20 May 2019). "Factsheet 1 Air Support Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

[12] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 11

[13] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 24

[14] Dollman, TSG David (15 May 2017). "Factsheet 5 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 July 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[15] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 13

[16] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 21

[17] Dollman, TSG David (27 March 2017). "Factsheet 9 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[18] Robertson, Patsy (27 March 2018). "Factsheet 14 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[19] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 78

[20] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 80

[21] Dollman, TSG Davis (31 August 2012). "Factsheet 18 Air Support Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2022.

[22] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 103

[23] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 173

[24] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 177

[25] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 184

[26] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 188

[27] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 191

[28] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 229

[29] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 231

[30] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 266

[31] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 188

[32] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 590

[33] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 344

[34] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 348

[35] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 351

[36] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 357

[37] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362

[38] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 363

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@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 |mascot=
 |battles=
-|notable_commanders=
+|notable_commanders=[[William E. Kepner]]
 |anniversaries=
 |decorations=
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 ==History==
+[[General Headquarters Air Force]] reorganized its four regional air districts as [[Numbered Air Force]]s in the spring of 1941.  By the fall of that year, each of these had organized as a support command and three combat commands.<ref>Cate & Williams, p. 152, 155</ref>  To direct its [[air support]] mission, [[1st Air Force]] organized '''1st Air Support Command''' at [[Mitchel Field]], New York in September 1941.<ref name=MaurerIIIRC/>
-Flew antisubmarine patrols off the east coast, 7 December 1941 – 15 October 1942. Trained light bombardment crews, participated in air-ground maneuvers, and demonstrated air support techniques, September 1941-May 1944. Trained reconnaissance personnel and organizations, May 1944 – 1946.<ref name=MaurerIIIRC/>
+It flew antisubmarine patrols off the east coast, 7 December 1941 – 15 October 1942. Trained light bombardment crews, participated in air-ground maneuvers, and demonstrated air support techniques, September 1941-May 1944. Trained reconnaissance personnel and organizations, May 1944 – 1946.<ref name=MaurerIIIRC/>
 ==Lineage==
@@ Line 94: / Line 96: @@
 ===Stations===
-* [[Mitchel Field]], New York, 1 September 1941
+* Mitchel Field, New York, 4 September 1941
 * [[Morris Field]], North Carolina, November 1942
 * [[Key Field]], Mississippi, c. 3 April 1944
@@ Line 105: / Line 107: @@
 ===Bibliography===
 {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
+* {{cite book|last1=Cate|first1=James L. |last2=Williams|first2=E. Kathleen|editor=Craven, Wesley F & Cate, James L|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329898/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-005.pdf |access-date=December 17, 2016| title=The Army Air Forces in World War II|volume=Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations|year=1948|publisher=University of Chicago Press|location=Chicago, IL|oclc=704158|lccn=48003657|chapter=Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41}}
 * {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf|access-date= December 17, 2016|edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher= Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
 * {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |edition= reprint|access-date= December 17, 2016|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}