Happy Birthday 1st Aero!

[Spoo]

The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron is the United States military's oldest flying unit, dating from 5 March, 1913. Organized for security along the U.S. and Mexico border, the 1st Aero Squadron went into action on 16 March 1916 as part of General Pershing's punitive expedition in northern Mexico. The 1st Aero Squadron thus became the first tactical aviation unit in American military history. Upon U.S. entry into World War I, the squadron departed for France and Lt. Stephen W. Thompson scored the squadron's first aerial victory on 5 February 1918, which was also the first air to air kill by a U.S. military member. Through the remainder of Great War, the 1st supported ground forces in battles at Chateau-Thierry, along the Aisne and Marne Rivers, and finally the bloody Meuse-Argonne offensive. At the time of the Armistice, pilots of the 1st Aero Squadron had recorded 13 aerial victories, commemorated by 13 Maltese crosses surrounding the squadron emblem. Following the war, the 1st was redesignated as an Observation Squadron and stationed at Mitchel Field, New York. In 1921 the squadron was temporarily assigned to the 1st Provisional Air Brigade, under Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell which gained attention for sinking the German battleship Ostfriesland. The squadron became the 1st Bombardment Squadron on 1 March, 1935 during the buildup to World War II and found itself flying out of Panama and Trinidad on defensive antisubmarine patrols. In 1944, the squadron converted to the new B-29 Superfortress, departed for combat in the Marianas Islands and completed 71 combat missions between February and August 1945. From 1948 until 1954, the 1st underwent many changes, eventually converting to the B-47 in 1954 and flying out of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho until 1966. At that time the squadron transitioned to the new SR-71 and became the 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale AFB, California. The 1st flew operational missions with the Blackbird starting in 1968, including over North Vietnam and North Korea, until retiring the aircraft in 1990. That year the squadron transitioned to a training role, responsible for the selection and training of U-2 pilots using the TU-2S two-seat trainer and redesignated the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron in 1994. Finally, in 2008 the squadron added the role of training pilots and sensor operators for the RQ-4 Global Hawk. Throughout its history, the 1 RS has flown 47 different airframes while operating from 52 locations throughout the world.

[HuggyU2]

Great post, Spoo!

I believe we are the oldest squadron in North America,... uncontested.

I seem to remember claiming we were the oldest in the world, but Steve Davies said the British had a balloon squadron before us.

A "balloon squadron" is a silly claim, and doesn't count.

So, we still win. (No offense, Steve!)

[Kuma]

Back when we had squadron T-shirts for Friday wear, our shirt had the moto "In God we trust...all others we monitor" on the front and "1st Aero...we're old" on the back. That pretty much sums it up for me.

After all my time in the 1 RS, I just learned today why we have 13 Maltese crosses on our patch. Thanks Spoo.

Edited March 6, 2013 by Kuma

[Shaft34]

Thanks for posting that Spoo!

Kuma,

That is copy of the history section we put on the new two-seat litho. Pick one up next time you're in the squadron...we have special deal for you!

[Spoo]

That is copy of the history section we put on the new two-seat litho.

I've hired an attorney and will fight your plagiarism lawsuit tooth and nail.

[nsplayr]

Glad heritage lives at least somewhere in the AF.

[HuggyU2]

Will one of y'all post the picture of the 100th anniversary nose art on the jet in the desert that got sent out today?

I believe folks here will like it.

[Spoo]

If anybody is near the Sacramento Sheraton Grand tomorrow night, may want to stop in. Small gathering of aviators drinking a lot of booze and causing problems...

[TarHeelPilot]

I will be there. Spoo, are you going?

[Spoo]

Do ERTs take 2-3 times longer than planned?

[TarHeelPilot]

See you there! Kuma?

[Steve Davies]

Pretty cool history. Congratulations on the anniversary.

[Shaft34]

Huggy...you asked.

[herkbum]

That's awesome!

[TacAirCoug]

Nice! I like the patch, too.

[HuggyU2]

That's a "heritage" old-school 1st Aero Squadron patch from days gone by.

[Jughead]

That's a "heritage" old-school 1st Aero Squadron patch from days gone by.

That's pretty cool, that you were there for both the original run & this heritage run of the same patch....

[Kuma]

See you there! Kuma?

Sorry all, I was in Manila this past weekend. Life is good on the outside!